This fall, science- and technology-based startups will have a new place to set down roots in the western part of the state in Mercer County.
The eCenter@LindenPointe business incubator, located by the LindenPointe business park in Hermitage, is designed to attract entrepreneurs from a region comprised of two counties on the western edge of Pennsylvania and three counties across the state line in Ohio. More specifically, its aim is to develop industries that use skills in science, technology, engineering and math. Executive Director Yvonne English explains that the idea for the eCenter came up about five years ago, the result of a report saying the local electronics industry had potential to grow.
Electronics firms were consulted during the eCenter’s design process. One of those companies, Novocell Semiconductor, will be an anchor tenant in the incubator. The building will have space for as many as 10 more businesses, English says.
The incubator, set to open in October, will also feature a learning laboratory available to college students. This is notable because Butler County Community College has a LindenPointe campus and six more colleges lie within 25 miles.
“We believe that this level of regional cooperation will really enhance the resources and networking opportunities available to all of our tenants and members,” says English, herself a serial entrepreneur and Grove City College alum.
Plans also call for the eCenter to have educational programs, available to tenants and non-tenants, on topics like marketing and business finance.
Source: Yvonne English, eCenter@LindenPointe
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen