While students were in classes at the Campbell County Roane State Community College campus February 15, federal, state and local government officials were coming together to begin the creation of a business incubator just a few doors down. Following college graduation, that incubator could provide a means for today’s students to start tomorrow’s businesses right here in Campbell County.
“This is a big deal for Campbell County,” said Campbell County Economic and Community Development Officer Billie Russell. “We don’t want to be ‘status quo,’ we want to be a role model for other small counties to follow.
The “big deal” Russell was talking about was the presentation of a $215,000 award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to create a business incubator in the county. Even before its opening, the incubator has already become part of a partnership with Tennessee’s Tech 20/20, a partnership that is already helping local entrepreneurs and business developers across the state to realize their dreams of creating businesses, as well as helping businesses that already exist to network with other companies in the state that can make them more efficient.
ARC Co-Chair Earl Gohl was on hand to present the $215,000 check to Campbell County Mayor William Baird
“It’s amazing what you can find on the internet,” Gohl said. As he held up a printout he had found on the internet when googling Campbell County, he pointed to a list of Mayor Baird’s goals he had listed in 2010 for his administration as Campbell County Mayor.
Focus on local businesses, create a business incubator to help local businesses and create new ones, and give high school graduates the ability to complete at least two years at a community college.
“That’s the President’s (of the United States) list of goals too,” said Gohl. I can assure you that we, the ARC, we’re in. We are here with you.”
Gohl said that concentrating on local businesses and investing in educating the future workforce are also very important to the local economy, as well as the economy as a whole. He pointed out that President Obama has proposed an $8 billion allotment for students to attend community colleges across the country over the next three years.
“These are the three points we all need to be focused on,” Gohl said. “We (Campbell County) don’t have an incubator today, but we can certainly put a check in that box today.”
Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Federal Programs with the state’s Economic and Community Development, Paul Fassbender, was pleased to represent Sen. Bob Corker and Gov. Bill Haslam’s Administrations at the presentation.
“The Governor sends his regards and we’re happy to be partners in this endeavor,” Fassbender said. “This falls right in line with the governor’s plan for increasing jobs.”
President of Roane State Community College, Dr. Gary Goff also spoke at the ceremony saying, “We all can bring resources to help young entrepreneurs, but it’s a great partnership for this county and we’re glad to be a part of this today.”
Representatives from Ackerman PR Firm of Knoxville were also on hand. Ackerman will be conducting a survey to determine the focus of Campbell County’s business incubator.
Following the check presentation, Mayor Baird said, “Before I was county mayor and was in the state legislature, I visited business incubators around the state and it gave me the opportunity to see its benefit. This award provides money for the incubator’s startup and will provide the opportunities for those who want to start a business to take advantage of services that will help them create a business plan, marketing plan and to take the steps entrepreneurs need to make their business ideas a reality.”
“There’s a 70 percent success rate for businesses who go through the incubator programs for three years, whereas a startup business without help from an incubator has a 50 percent or less chance for success,” Baird said.
Baird also said that the incubator “should be open for business by the first of March.” He intends to present the information of how the public and local businesses can take part in the incubator’s services over the next couple of weeks.
John Morris, an entrepreneur who has created three successful businesses through Tennessee’s Tech 20/20 has a personal connection to Caryville, LaFollette and Jacksboro. Morris has been in an administrative position with Tech 20/20 for about a week, he said. But he pointed out that, “I’ve started three businesses and Tech 20.20 has helped me all along the way. So partners like this are very important to those hoping to start a successful business.”
Campbell County businesses and manufacturers were also on hand, showing a wide range of what Campbell County is also producing.
Natural Sorb, a manufacturer of spill response and absorbent products was represented by its founder, president and CEO Tammy Walker. DeRoyal, Bushtec and Community Health of East Tennessee were also there showing their various contributions to the county and its economy. LaFollette Machine and Tool Co. celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2011 and they were on hand to show various tools and metal designs they create, as well as TrailManor was present. TrailManor, a staple in the Lake City Industrial Park for a number of years was set to shut down and move their trailer and camper manufacturing out of state. However, just months ago, they found what they were looking for in a Campbell County industrial building and, although they moved, were able to stay local, saving many jobs in the community.
Tennessee’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development also had their Career Coach at the presentation. The Career Coach is a 35-foot mobile center that helps Tennesseans find job training, skill training, resume development and a number of other services to help state residents enter, and re-enter the workforce.
“Thank God for letting this work,” Officer Billie Russell concluded in her statement. “Campbell County means business.”
As an added note, the presentation and fulfillment of Mayor Baird’s incubator goal couldn’t have come at a better time for him personally. February 15 was his 60th birthday.