Incubator may bring more business, technology to Henry County

According to data from the Tax Commissioner's Office, the number of new business licenses issued has increased exponentially, from 147 new licenses in 2010 to 526 in 2016.

“[Entrepreneurs] seem to be more prepared to reach out and take a chance,” Gill said.

The One Henry Economic Alliance, in coordination with the Advanced Technology Development Center at Georgia Tech (ATDC), is attempting to establish a technology and business incubator to support these entrepreneurs.

Richard Sylvia, chairman of the professional services and corporate solutions subcommittee at One Henry, said the incubator would act as a collaboration and learning environment for entrepreneurs. The program would offer education, consulting and legal services to “help them build their business and get moving,” he said.

The incubator would also act as part of the county’s attempts, along with investments in housing and entertainment, to invite college graduates back into the county after school.

“We know we have a challenge with young adults leaving Henry County and going to other counties,” Sylvia said.

Leonard Moreland, co-chair of the One Henry Economic Alliance, said while roughly 90 percent of high schools graduates left Henry County, for college or other reasons, few return.

“They want the ability to come back and work in the field they studied,” he said, noting the rise in computer science and technology-related majors.

“This will hopefully act as a means to provide options for graduates,” Sylvia said.

Unlike many other incubators, which focus specifically on business or technology, One Henry hopes to tackle both at the same time, with Georgia Tech onboard for help with technology.

Moreland said the idea came after looking at other incubators across the state and meeting with ATDC, who “had a desire to have a presence in the South Metro area.”

“We’re running programs all over the city, but we’re not really in that area,” said Jennifer Bonnet, general manager of ATDC. “We realized, especially with traffic in Atlanta, that entrepreneurs can’t always get to us, and sometimes we need to go to them.”

One Henry plans to kick off the establishment effort with a Tech and Tea event on June 22 in Stockbridge. Sylvia said over 100 people have already registered to attend to hear elected and county officials, business experts and academic leaders speak about the incubator idea.

“It’s a chance for potential entrepreneurs to network, and for us to talk about the challenges they’ll face,” Moreland said.

Bonnett, a former entrepreneur herself, said beginning entrepreneurs will often face issues with connections and education about startup costs and processes.

ATDC, however, first needs to see if an incubator could be viable.

Its sister organization, the Economic Development Lab, will conduct an 8-week feasibility study to evaluate if there is enough intrigue in Henry County for the program.

“We want to know what types of entrepreneurs are already out there, and what resources they have access to,” Bonnett said. “We want to know that there are already successful entrepreneurs who can help mentor those new entrepreneurs.”

Attendees will be asked to participate in a 45-minute survey as part of the study. If the study shows significant interest, ATDC will come into the community.

“Studies show if you can attract entrepreneurs, you can create some of the strongest businesses,” Moreland said. “It’s a big watershed moment. It’s a chance to show that Henry County is ready for a technology incubator.”

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If you go:

What: Tech and Tea informational meeting for potential entrepreneurs in Henry County.

When: June 22, 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: Merle Manders Conference Center, 111 Davis Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281

Price: Free. Register at local.onehenry.info/smallbusiness/

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