PLYMOUTH, N.H.-
Plymouth State University’s role in helping business growth in the region was recently recognized by the Grafton County Economic Development Council (GCEDC)’s at their Annual Celebration and Awards Night.
The GCEDC recognized Plymouth State University as ‘Partner of the Year’ for their work on the Enterprise Center at Plymouth business incubator. As part of the partnership, the GCEDC will purchase the building at 149 North Main Street in Plymouth and renovate it for new entrepreneurial companies. Plymouth State University will provide staff and programs to assist the companies to grow and become viable. The goal is for the successful companies to eventually leave the incubator space and be replaced with new startup companies needing assistance. Dr. Trent Boggess, Dean of PSU’s College of Business Administration, said the University can provide ‘hands-on’ expertise in creating jobs in the area.
“Plymouth State students and faculty will have a major presence here,” said Boggess.“We will be offering marketing and graphic design services, as well as sales consulting.
Faculty from the College of Business Administration, Graphic Design and Communications departments will also be assisting with this project. Our goal is to make this incubator a business growth center for the region.”
In accepting the award, Plymouth State President Sara Jayne Steen remarked that the University’s mission of outreach and bringing knowledge to the public was evident in the partnership to create the Enterprise Center with the GCEDC.
“No doubt the Enterprise Center will have a positive and lasting impact on central and northern New Hampshire,” stated Steen. “Partnerships between PSU and community organizations like the GCEDC increase the opportunities for success.”
The Enterprise Center at Plymouth will be funded through a combination of private money and federal community development grants; the million dollar renovation is expected to be finished in late 2012 with the office opening in January, 2013.
Headquartered in Plymouth, the GCEDC is a private, non profit organization that seeks to retain and expand businesses to Grafton County as well as support entrepreneurial initiatives.
For more information about this release, contact Bruce Lyndes, PSU Media Relations Mgr., (603) 535-2775 or blyndes@plymouth.edu
Partly Cloudy. Temperature: 68; Wind: W at 4; Conditions as of Sat May 18 at 12:00 PM EDT