MISSION
The mission of the Small Business Incubator is to foster regional economic development by supporting entrepreneurs, small/disadvantaged businesses, and businesses expanding to the CSRA area by providing managerial & technical assistance, low office rental rates, and shared access to basic office services and equipment. These services are designed to allow clients to minimize the initial high costs associated with setting up the necessary facilities, equipment ad services for a business environment. Business incubation is a dynamic process of business enterprise development where emerging firms are nurtured and helped to survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most vulnerable. The Small Business Incubator is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with the support they need to grow healthy, viable, and profitable companies.

THE INCUBATOR
The incubator construction was funded by a $1.1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) federal grant and $.4 million from Augusta-Richmond County. The building has a total of 18,000 square feet which includes office space for nineteen clients, manufacturing space, administrative offices, conference room, work/copy room and break room.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
The SBI has an established Small Business Advisory Board consisting of area business leaders with whom clients are required to meet with on a quarterly basis. This gives clients added advantage of their own advisory board that will provide additional perspectives and specialized expertise. The board and management will monitor clients' performance, progress and continued need for incubator assistance. Clients typically will graduate from the incubator when they outgrow the available space; their business has achieved financial stability, or when they have completed three years in the incubator.

EVALUATION
Candidates will be evaluated on the value of their new business's contribution to the economic development of the region as well as on their business plan, their demonstrated need for the unique products and services offered by incubator, and their fundamental commitment to the success of their business venture. Applicants to the incubator will be screened and selected from entrepreneurs including downsized SRS employees, female, minority and disadvantaged applicants.