Madison County launching office/tech incubator

By Chris Pugh
Connect Ohio

Madison County is creating a Professional Office/Technology Incubator to attract new businesses to the area.

Madison County Future, Inc. Community Improvement Corporation Executive Director and Director of Development Sean K. Hughes said the incubator will be patterned off of existing models such as Dublin’s Entrepreneurial Center.

“Our incubator will be an opportunity for new business start-ups or existing businesses who want to get out of their home-based business situation and grow to access low overhead office space with shared conference/meeting rooms, break rooms, restrooms, etc.,” Hughes said. “They also will have access to individual business counseling, low-cost training programs, and shared networking opportunities to grow their client bases.”

Hughes said county officials are accepting proposals for various locations throughout the county and planned to have a physical location chosen in June.

“We will then work with that landlord to develop a lease structure and start any necessary building updates or renovations to make the incubator viable,” he said.

Hughes added that one of the requirements of the building will be access to a server/data center which will allow them to release new technology in the county with local businesses.

“This new technology will allow us to continue with a second phase of the incubator in which we can offer a virtual incubator for small professional and technology businesses who wish to remain in home offices, etc.,” he said. “We also hope that the chosen facility will allow us the ability to install a tower for extending our wireless broadband capabilities.”