Spearfish Virtual Business Incubator offers small business help - KOTA Territory News

Spearfish Virtual Business Incubator offers small business help

The Spearfish business community is poised for substantial growth, thanks in part to a newly launched Virtual Business Incubation program.
 
The Black Hills Virtual Business Incubator program assists small business owners in starting and running their own business.

While the program is currently housed in the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce building, directors say they hope to secure enough need and funding to open their own location in the coming years.

The 'virtual' offerings of the incubator include networking connections, and business coaching.

The program, which starts at $50 per month, also includes access to a conference room, photocopier, as well as access to Black Hills State University student interns and faculty consultants.
 
"I think of it as a health club, a fitness club for your business. Come here, get tuned up, get some muscles then you're ready to go out and survive on your own," said Barbara Zwetzig, Director of the Center for Business, Entrepreneurship and Tourism.
 
"Working with the virtual incubator, Barb hooked me up with a BHSU student, a great intern and someone who really had the experience and background who could help me just so I could
get my business growing," said Michelle Kane, owner of Black Hills Public Relations.
 
There are more than 500 small businesses currently active in the Spearfish area.