In 1993, the Economic Development Council (EDC) of St. Charles County opened a 30,000 SF small business incubator to provide an affordable location for businesses to start and grow. Demand for space was so great that just two years later, the facility doubled in size to 60,000 SF.
Since that time, the incubator has played an integral role in the regional startup community. Hundreds of businesses encompassing thousands of jobs have launched in the incubator and gone on to flourish in the community.
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Tenants attribute their success, in part, to the all-inclusive, wraparound support they receive while housed at the EDC. These benefits, which businesses just starting out often cannot afford, include IT support, a staffed reception area, and access to conference and training rooms. Tenants also benefit from business counseling, in-house financing resources through the EDC's SBA 504 loan program, and month-to-month leasing options.
"Starting a business isn't for the faint of heart, and it can be expensive," said EDC CFO and Incubator Manager Craig Frahm. "The incubator allows entrepreneurs an affordable way to test their ideas and grow their companies at scale without risking their family's financial security.
Notable graduates over the years include:
- Landscape industry management platform Aspire Software
- Custom jewelry company jBloom Designs
- Santosh Patel, CEO of the ISH Group
- EMT and paramedic training school Respond Right EMS Academy
- Medical/surgical equipment supplier Synergy Medical Inc.
- Nationally leading audiovisual design/build group TSI Global
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“For the past 30 years, the incubator has played a major role in the EDC's organizational mission of helping businesses grow and succeed in St. Charles County," EDC President & CEO Scott J. Drachnik. "We are incredibly proud of what the incubator has accomplished and look forward to the future."