NewsWest 9
ODESSA- The project is called Regional Business Incubator. It will give two small start-up businesses the opportunity to have an office for a whole year and receive professional help from the small business development center. All of this to give small businesses a better chance of growing.
"This is just another step another service that UTPB is bringing to the regional community to try to develop business and diversify the economy," Tommy Baker, Director of the Small Business Development Center, said.
At the end of a selection process, two companies will be given the opportunity to have an office space and all the materials needed to start their business. For the first six months they will not have pay anything, after that there will be a monthly a fee of only $250.
"The primary focus is helping new business in the Permian Basin to get a start," UTPB President Dr. David Watts, said.
And they will not only be getting infrastructure support, but constant counseling to ensure a successful company.
"Them sharing their financial with SBDC so we know what's going on, full picture and we can help them so that at the end we'll have a successful company," Baker said.
So which type of business can apply for this project?
"I see this is start as companies that need a home office where can make calls and then go out into the economy and call customers and build their business," Baker said.
And the incubator will not only help West Texas' economy, but it will also benefit UTPB students.
"It will provide student assistance while giving them hands on business experience. Our graduate students who are working with the entrepreneur center can also get some hands on experience. It will provide a great deal of support for our students," Watts said.
