June 16, 2003

MiBIz Network

By Tim Gwozdz

MUSKEGON - The business incubator created to feed the Muskegon Lakeshore SmartZone is pulling up stakes at its birthplace, the Hume Building in downtown Muskegon. Effective July 1 The Lakeshore Launch Pad will occupy space in a former Norge Aircraft Co. building on West Sherman Boulevard in Muskegon Heights.

Muskegon Area First (MAF) Director of Technology Initiatives Gary Nelund told MiBiz the new, warehouse-style location offers a more collaborative atmosphere for businesses that opt to start up in The Lakeshore Launch Pad.

"The offices were disjointed in the Hume Building. It never was a cohesive area," said Nelund. "Our new space is basically one large room with tall ceilings and cubicle spaces. It's going to be more of an open setting, which is great because the whole idea behind an incubator is to get the business owners to talk to each other and help each other out. In our current configuration, that doesn't happen."

Two firms currently in The Lakeshore Launch Pad - Small Business Solutions and Gold Shield Transportation - are making the move to Muskegon Heights. Three new companies are expected to sign lease agreements and join the incubator shortly after the relocation is completed. From 8-10 businesses can operate comfortably in the Sherman Boulevard space, added Nelund.

The Sherman Boulevard building houses innovative firms like the Fluid advertising agency, Churchill Communications, Mindscape Creative and former Lakeshore Launch Pad tenant etool Developers LLC. Along with interaction between fellow Lakeshore Launch Pad members, Nelund sees a prime opportunity for members to network with these other young entrepreneurs who have taken their businesses several steps beyond the start-up stage. "There will be a lot of give and take going on, a lot of great ideas bouncing around," Nelund said.

Along with a new home, The Lakeshore Launch Pad is getting a new name. MAF is working with Fluid to develop a new name for the business incubator.

Started in October 2001, The Lakeshore Launch Pad is a not-for-profit business accelerator program designed to assist the development of new and emerging technology-based businesses by providing an affordable facility, a variety of resources and expert mentoring. The program targets companies in the fields of information technology, communications, Web-based products or concepts, energy conversion, process control and advanced manufacturing.

Partners like MAF, the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Valley State University's Seidman School of Business, the Michigan Small Business Technology Development Center, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Muskegon Community College, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Baker College and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. through the Muskegon SmartZone as well as outside companies provide management, legal, technical and financial counseling and advice to The Lakeshore Launch Pad tenants.

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This article appeared in the June 16, 2003 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz Network, visit www.mibiz.com.