First business secured for county incubator space
Union County has secured its first business to set up shop at the Marysville Entrepreneurial Center
(MEC).
Economic development director Eric Phillips announced on March 10 that the county has signed a sublease agreement with Hirschfeld Design, an architecture firm, to take over office space that the county has set aside as an incubator space for new businesses.
Business owner Tim Hirsch-feld, who is relocating his business from Dublin, said he plans to move in this week.
"I've been in business for seven years, and have been an architect for over 20 years," Hirschfeld said. "I'm originally from northwestern Ohio, so I've driven past Marysville so many times I've always known that that's where I'd love to be eventually. Marys-ville has a small town feeling, but at the same time it's still growing. I love the idea of being a part of the community."
Hirschfeld said he specializes in a wide range of architectural specialties, including commercial projects like restaurant and office design, medical space, along with residential design and interior remodeling.
"Now we're just starting to get into the green movement, incorporating environmentally friendly aspects, and that's pretty exciting as well," Hirshfeld said.
Phillips said the company will be Union County's only architectural firm, and is a big success for the county.
"I think this is a big win for the community, and it wouldn't have happened without the foresight of the commissioners wanting to make something happen," Phillips said. "This space has allowed us to create some business opportunities, but at the same time, this business is going to provide some architectural services in the Uptown area, along with Richwood and Plain City, as part of the agreement. We're trying to get as many partners as possible with (the MEC), to generate activity and to get people excited about the possibility of a start-up business."
The MEC, located at 128 South Main Street in Marysville, was purchased by the county in 2007. In addition to the business incubator space, the building houses the Union County sheriff's investigative unit, coroner's office, Probate and juvenile court division, and historical records and archives.
The incubator space was created in 2008, in partnership with the Union County Commissioners, the Union County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), and TechColumbus, and is managed by the Union County CIC with staff assistance from the Union County Economic Development Partnership.
Several criteria are applied to potential tenants for the incubator space, according to information provided by the Chamber of Commerce. A tenant must offer potential value to regional economic development in terms of employment, expansion of technology-based or creation of community wealth; plan to remain in downtown areas for three years upon exiting the incubator; and entrepreneurs currently operating from inadequate or interim facilities such as their home, garage, etc. are given preference for consideration. Other criteria apply, as well. Some permitted uses for the incubator space include agribusiness, architectural, engineering, graphic design, health care technology, manufacturing technology, new technology, science-based innovation, and Web-based technology, among others.
Economic development director Eric Phillips announced on March 10 that the county has signed a sublease agreement with Hirschfeld Design, an architecture firm, to take over office space that the county has set aside as an incubator space for new businesses.
Business owner Tim Hirsch-feld, who is relocating his business from Dublin, said he plans to move in this week.
"I've been in business for seven years, and have been an architect for over 20 years," Hirschfeld said. "I'm originally from northwestern Ohio, so I've driven past Marysville so many times I've always known that that's where I'd love to be eventually. Marys-ville has a small town feeling, but at the same time it's still growing. I love the idea of being a part of the community."
Hirschfeld said he specializes in a wide range of architectural specialties, including commercial projects like restaurant and office design, medical space, along with residential design and interior remodeling.
"Now we're just starting to get into the green movement, incorporating environmentally friendly aspects, and that's pretty exciting as well," Hirshfeld said.
Phillips said the company will be Union County's only architectural firm, and is a big success for the county.
"I think this is a big win for the community, and it wouldn't have happened without the foresight of the commissioners wanting to make something happen," Phillips said. "This space has allowed us to create some business opportunities, but at the same time, this business is going to provide some architectural services in the Uptown area, along with Richwood and Plain City, as part of the agreement. We're trying to get as many partners as possible with (the MEC), to generate activity and to get people excited about the possibility of a start-up business."
The MEC, located at 128 South Main Street in Marysville, was purchased by the county in 2007. In addition to the business incubator space, the building houses the Union County sheriff's investigative unit, coroner's office, Probate and juvenile court division, and historical records and archives.
The incubator space was created in 2008, in partnership with the Union County Commissioners, the Union County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), and TechColumbus, and is managed by the Union County CIC with staff assistance from the Union County Economic Development Partnership.
Several criteria are applied to potential tenants for the incubator space, according to information provided by the Chamber of Commerce. A tenant must offer potential value to regional economic development in terms of employment, expansion of technology-based or creation of community wealth; plan to remain in downtown areas for three years upon exiting the incubator; and entrepreneurs currently operating from inadequate or interim facilities such as their home, garage, etc. are given preference for consideration. Other criteria apply, as well. Some permitted uses for the incubator space include agribusiness, architectural, engineering, graphic design, health care technology, manufacturing technology, new technology, science-based innovation, and Web-based technology, among others.
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