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city of orlando hatches incubator
Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Wyman Forge Partnership with UCF to Launch Business Development Center

On Thursday, May 10, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 2 City Commissioner Betty T. Wyman will unveil plans and details of the City’s first mixed-use business development center. Located in Orlando at 3218 Colonial Drive, Colonial Landing (formerly Herndon Plaza,) the Orlando Business Development Center is designed to promote economic development through the growth and success of entrepreneurial companies.

“Commissioner Wyman played a key role developing this partnership with our hometown university to ensure the diverse needs of citizens are met,” said Mayor Dyer. “In the future, this model will be adapted Citywide to serve as a resource hub for entrepreneurial success and maintain our reputation recognized by Business Week as a top five city for entrepreneurs.“

Commissioner Wyman worked with the City’s Economic Development Department and University of Central Florida to form a partnership that will provide business support, education and networking services to “incubate” new and existing small business.

“Businesses that are associated with incubators have a higher than average success rate when they graduate. That is why we wanted to partner with the University of Central Florida to develop this District 2 prototype”, said Commissioner Wyman.

The Center will be opened in two phases and upon completion, will have more than 6,000 square feet of professional office and meeting space. Business resources will include provision of start up space, management coaching, business plan writing assistance, administrative services, technical support, business networking, referrals, advice on intellectual property and sources of financing. The Center will be funded by the City and operated by the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director of the University of Central Florida Technology incubator and Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization explains, “Business incubators support the entrepreneurial process, helping to increase survival rates for new and growing companies. Candidates with feasible projects are admitted into incubators, where they are offered resources and services. We are happy to be able to work together with the City on this project.”

Jacqueline Barton, MBA, Certified Business Analyst, and an entrepreneur herself, is the newly appointed Executive Director of the center. In her role, Ms. Barton will provide support and an affordable and leading-edge infrastructure for those who have committed to success.

For more information about the Orlando Business Development Center, District 2, call 407.882.1148

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