by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
The lots made up a barren space where not much sprouted but gloom.
How different it all feels a year later, now that hope has taken root.
The Beaver Street Enterprise Center, a FreshMinistries initiative, celebrated its first anniversary Tuesday afternoon with a social, awards and a fresh determination to reach greater heights.
“It’s definitely met the scheduling expectations for where we thought we’d be,” said Suzanne Yack, FreshMinistries’ communications director. “What I don’t think I expected is the level of energy and vibrancy of what’s going on here. I didn’t expect, when you walk in the building, there to be this great sense of hope and optimism.
“That is what’s wonderful to me.”
Starting with the first tenants, who signed their leases last June, the 25,000 square-foot center is now home to 16 businesses that have created more than 100 jobs.
“We’ve obviously had more than one tenant a month come in, and that’s been good,” said Yack. “We’ve been able to dedicate quite a bit of energy toward them as they come in and help them set up.”
There’s room for 17 more enterprises, including two “anchor” tenants in the larger spaces.
“Never having done anything like this before, you don’t really know what to expect,” said Yack. “When we designed the program, we put together a schedule for completion and occupancy.
“It was never our intent to occupy it 100 percent all at once. It made more sense for us to stagger people in.”
Three awards were presented to six recipients during Tuesday’s celebration. The presentations are intended to become an annual tradition.
Those awards are Unique Product or Innovation (Computer Spa/Tony Butler and JaxFiesta/Larry Mendez Jr.), Significant New Contracts or Clients (Xeye Inc./Joseph Hutchinson and North Florida Electric Contractors/Glenda Hunter) and Incubator Community Citizens (No Ordinary Kleaning/C.C. Winn and Select Information Services/Robert Drummond and Ronald Armalin).
“Our reputation is growing,” said Yack. “What we’re finding is, everywhere we go, people know what Beaver Street is. They’re not always sure what an incubator does, but they know there’s something going on over here that’s very exciting and successful.
“And that is capturing the attention of people who now see we mean what we say — that we’re going to help develop and fund these new businesses and bring jobs back to this area.”
Potential tenants fill out an application form and submit a business plan. The plan is forwarded to the University of North Florida’s Small Business Development Center, which examines it for strengths and weaknesses.
When the details have been worked out, the application goes to the Center’s Tenant Selection Committee, composed of members of the board of directors.
“Many (tenants) have been running their businesses out of their homes,” said Yack. “They really can’t bring clients to their homes, so they can’t grow their businesses.
“This allows them to move from home to office. We have phone hookups and office furniture. We lease them computers for $35 a month. And the rent is very inexpensive so it can be affordable to new entrepreneurs.”
The center also offers business counseling, mentoring, peer group meetings, workshops and referrals. Assistance is available through several strong partners, including the Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Center.
Beaver Street is not intended to be a “forever location” for budding entrepreneurs. They may stay for up to three years, which gives them “a pretty good running start,” said Yack. “They also can get into a mentoring relationship with the manager, Jackie Perry, who helps them design a plan for what they’re doing next.”
Within the next year, she predicted, there will be no more vacancies at the center.
“It will happen,” she said. “We will have to increase our staff to provide the level of services they need.
“And we’ll start seeing some of these tenants almost ready to move on. The hope is they will find an office somewhere in this area so we can keep jobs here.
“The goal is to be the most outstanding core city incubator in the country. We have the talent, the commitment to be the best. We get there by remembering we’re here to serve others and make sure they succeed.”