Incubator In The Business Of Nurturing Bright Ideas

Newcastle Herald

Thursday October 14, 2004

By GREG WENDT Business Editor

FLEDGLING businesses in Newcastle have a new incubator, with the Hunter Business Enterprise Centre in King Street transformed through a $585,000 federal grant.

The centre's chairman, Damien Harvey, said it had been established in response to the growing demand for services by start-up businesses.

The new-look centre, officially opened yesterday, includes 20 fully equipped business suites and a range of services from administrative help to IT infrastructure to help new businesses get a start by drastically reducing their costs.

The centre's general manager, Brenda Read, said many great business ideas did not come to fruition because people could not afford the start-up costs involved.

"This [centre] encourages business ideas and entrepreneurism," Ms Read said. "Start-up businesses can rent an office below market price on a month-by-month basis for up to three years.

"We give them access to secretarial services, wireless broadband, video conferencing and provide free mentor support so they can get a start and then go out into business on their own."

Ms Read said the introduction of such a service in the city would increase the potential for creating small businesses as well as helping to reduce unemployment rates.

The centre has been operating in Newcastle for 15 years. It received funding through AusIndustry to reconfigure the existing building into offices and set up IT infrastructure.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home