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Published February 19, 2019

The Green Bay SCORE chapter’s home at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay has a new name. The former Business and Manufacturing Center is now a "Startup Hub." "It represents the broadening of becoming ‘the front door to the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem in Greater Green Bay," said Lori Kaye Lodes, vice president of marketing and communications at the Greater Green Bay Chamber. "It’s for existing businesses looking to grow to the next level and for startups/entrepreneurs and people with those next great ideas." Lodes said the transformation of the building is the result of a plan that took 18 months and included input from almost 400 community members from various industries. The plan includes initiatives that speak to the importance of having startups, entrepreneurs, innovation, and technological advancements to ensure economic viability. The Startup Hub, under the direction of Ron Franklin, manager, is an important component of the plan. Franklin wants to fill the existing spaces in the building, a combination of office and manufacturing space, and build interest so that there is a waiting list. "I want to promote the businesses in the area and encourage new entrepreneurs to start these businesses," Franklin said. "There are people with ideas who might be recent college graduates or younger, and I want them to know their ideas are viable and make sure they are aware of the services we offer." The services include the resources at Startup Hub such as SCORE, the Small Business Development Center, and the NWTC Small Business Initiative. But it doesn’t stop there. Franklin and Lodes recognize the importance of working with community resources, and the economic development arm of the Chamber is creating an ecosystem map outlining all of these. The Startup Hub may be a part incubator, but it is far removed from incubators of the past. "It’s all kinds of entrepreneurial resources, whether we are the provider or someone else outside the building provides them," Lodes says. The spirit of cooperation is good for the community and the facility. Franklin, who spoke at a recent SCORE meeting, took a break from painting a "Mother’s Room" to share his vision. This new room mirrors a commitment to younger entrepreneurs, including mothers who he says shouldn’t have to choose between raising children and starting a business. Studies, Franklin says, back up this renewed focus on millennials. "Recent college grads are starting businesses at a rate of three to five times that of older people," Franklin said. He says the main target market will be those in the 24 and younger age range, and he will work to develop an interest in entrepreneurship at area high schools and colleges. Collaborating with these groups will be a priority. The Startup Hub will do what it can to help these businesses with low-cost space options, monthly educational seminars, and mentorship. "This isn’t just about starting a business," he added. "You can find information about that on Google in a few minutes. For seminar topics, I’m planning on going with topics that people don’t know a ton about." Franklin also plans to bring in mentors to help entrepreneurs, and a new lease agreement will include a provision for quarterly meetings with tenants so he can be part of their success. This will open communication as the business moves forward. "I want them to have the option to come to me and say, ‘I need help,’" he added. The facility itself is being remodeled and will include a high-tech Microsoft conference room in addition to other conference rooms that will be available for in-house and virtual tenants. There will be a self-serve vending area with thumb-print accessibility. The changes in the building reflect the evolving direction. "As we all know, business builds community, and we need the small businesses already in existence in people’s garages and basements to take the next step," Lodes said. "We also need the idea generators and mavericks with big lofty goals to take those goals and work with partners in the Startup Hub." For a tour of Startup Hub or additional information, Franklin can be reached at rfranklin@greatergbc.org Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.