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Consultant: Hernando County has incubator potential but needs a long‑term champion and funding
Summary
A consultant told the Hernando County Port Authority an incubator could serve diverse small businesses and growth‑oriented firms but stressed the need for a committed sponsor, sustainable funding and experienced management; staff will use the study for potential federal EDA grant applications.
Mark Long, a consultant with Salus Business Advisers, told the Hernando County Port Authority on Tuesday that Hernando County "has potential" for a business incubator but that long‑term leadership and funding are critical to success.
Long said an incubator is a program that coordinates services such as mentoring, access to capital and training — not merely a building — and recommended a mixed‑use facility of about 15,000 to 20,000 square feet with programming focused on growth‑oriented ventures. "You want growth businesses in there," Long said.
Long described common challenges: no centralized champion to…
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