Jackson Community College

Summit to explore business incubator ideas 

Jackson Community College, together with Baker College and Spring Arbor University, will host a business Incubator/Accelerator Summit to explore the development of a business incubator/accelerator for the Jackson County area. The summit will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 12 in the Michael Baughman Theatre, Potter Center, on JCC’s Jackson campus.

Business incubation is a business support process that accelerates the successful development of start-up and fledgling companies by providing entrepreneurs with a variety of resources and services. A business incubator works to produce successful firms that will eventually become financially viable and freestanding. This summit is designed to learn the best practices about how incubators/accelerators are typically structured, identify ideal incubator/accelerator characteristics essential for Jackson County growth, and identify subcommittee members to address the needs.

Speaking at this event will be Chuck Stein, president of Strategic Development Services, and member of the National Business Incubator Association. Stein will address “What are incubators/what are they not?” Stein specializes in the planning, feasibility, funding and implementation of business incubation initiatives. He has helped numerous community and economic development organizations develop successful incubation programs throughout the U.S. and has raised over $20 million specifically to build or expand incubators.

Also speaking will be Larry Molnar of the Michigan Business Incubator Association. Molnar is a research faculty member at the University of Michigan within the Office of the Vice President for Research. He is past president of the University Economic Development Association, current president of the Michigan Business Incubation Association, and president of the National Educational Association of University Centers.  He has conducted many research projects that have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollar of investment in economic and community development projects at the local, regional, state and national levels.

The summit will include breakout sessions and discussion time. There is no charge to attend, but RSVP is requested by March 6.  To RSVP or for more information, call 517.796.8443.