Entrepreneur Center opens doors in Superior – Superior Telegram

SUPERIOR — The Superior Business Development Center and Duluth-based Entrepreneur Fund hosted an open house July 7 to show off the digs of their new home in the Entrepreneur Center, 1401 Tower Ave.

The organizations that help those starting a new business are located on the main floor of the Old Post Office. They are joined by the Development Association, which is housed on the third floor of the historic building, to provide a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs.

Businesses that were previously located in the building can be found on the second floor. The first floor features a co-working space and an area for new business development is in the basement.

“When we launch our VentureHome program, hopefully this fall, this will be a hub for them as well,” said Andy Donahue of the Small Business Development Center.

WiSys VentureHomes form a network of startup hubs that combine statewide resources with community initiatives to provide local entrepreneurs with access to resources in their communities.

“It’s kind of a higher end incubation and collaborative and co-working space,” said Jim Caesar of the Development Association, which is providing matching funding to get the grant program up and running. A bigger open house will be held once that program is operational, Caesar said.

On the third floor, the former federal courtroom has been converted to a ballroom for community events and workshops that will be held to give prospective business owners the tools they need to succeed.

“The whole thing is a collaboration between the Development Association, SBDC and the Entrepreneur Fund,” Donahue said.

The building will also provide a landing place for Northwest Regional Planning and theWisconsin Economic Development Corp. when they are working with people in the area, Donahue said.

“We’re really trying to … bring some of those regional and state resources to Superior to really enhance what entrepreneurs want to see and help get them to grow,” Donahue said.

The Entrepreneur Center is an opportunity to enhance the area’s ecosystem for entrepreneurs and small business owners, he said.

“An entrepreneur can come in and they don’t need to worry about going off all across town to find different things,” Donahue said. “If they need to talk about lending, they can go right across the hall. If they need to talk about properties, they can talk to Jim. All the resources they’re going to need are right here in this building.”