Matthew G. Ballard

The Charleston Area Alliance has many plans for 2010, but the foundation of all of them is promoting an environment that ignites success and opportunity for businesses and individuals of the Kanawha. Valley

Our Small Business Incubator at 1116 Smith Street is one of the many programs and services we provide to help create jobs and build a more prosperous economy.

Recently, we invited tenants to a lunch during which they shared updates on how their businesses fared during the recession and their forecasts for the year ahead.

While not immune to economic challenges, these small businesses invariably have solid plans for growth and success in 2010.

Progressity, which has been in the incubator for three years, signed a support service contract with Vision Shared, another tenant. TL Tek is preparing to open a remote office in Pennsylvania and continues working with Family Dollar for a multi-state rollout. McKinley & Associates, the architectural firm, is planning for an influx of business in 2010.

One reason these businesses are successful is they operate in an incubator, a sympathetic environment for the growth of small businesses.

The incubator provides flexible space at below-market rates, coupled with a package of free and low-cost services that allow entrepreneurs to concentrate their assets on growth rather than bricks, mortar and other administrative costs. (more…)