In an effort to strengthen local start-up companies, a new entrepreneurial incubator is being launched in Ottawa County.
Led by the local economic development organization, Lakeshore Advantage, officials announced plans to build the ‘Next Center’ for entrepreneurship and innovation, in the hopes of bolstering start-up companies in Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Lakeshore Advantage says the new three-story, 20,000-square-foot office building will be state-of-the-art, and house a business incubator, community education space, as well as the organization’s new offices, which will be built in Holland.
“The startup community is important to the ecosystem of even mature businesses,” said Neil Boehm, Chairman of the Board for Lakeshore Advantage. “We work with startups all the time. Many times, they are thought leaders in technology. I think it’s going to add so much into the community.”
Construction is expected to begin this fall, one hurdle remains: funding. Officials say, to finalize the project, Lakeshore Advantage still needs to raise $2.3 million, with an estimated total cost at just over $15 million.
"This Center will be a visible, accessible technology hub in the heart of downtown Holland,” said Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens. “It will allow us to accelerate our next generation of business but also our established employers. To bring this dream to a reality and ensure it is world-class, we need to secure our final foundational funding.”
According to a press release, EV Construction and GMB Architecture + Engineering are leading the project design and construction, which is slated to be done by fall of 2024.
