For the past two years, efforts have been under way to turn what once housed a large industrial enterprise into a home where small businesses can grow. Those efforts are beginning to pay off, says Brian DeLong.
The Business Center of Southwest Michigan, in
Dowagiac, is located in what once was National Copper Products. Today, the facility has many of the same services and benefits of a business incubator, but businesses that locate there will not be asked to move on when they reach a certain size as required by traditional incubators.
The Business Center totals 617,000 square feet and sits on almost 35 acres of property.
DeLong says when National Copper Products shut its doors some wanted to demolish the building, but he asked to be allowed to try and bring new life to the property. He was given permission to see what he could do. Due to economic conditions during the past 24 months that work has been a challenge, but today there are 16 businesses, mostly small startups with at total of 36 employees.
Several of the businesses are working together on auto parts projects. "They are all partnering very well," says DeLong, who is vice president of
Prairie Ronde Realty Co.
Because of its history, the property has some unique attributes. There are three large industrial areas ready for tenants. It also features a 135,000-square- foot space complete with nine shipping docks and indoor rail. A rail spur comes directly onto the property.
"This makes it very attractive," DeLong says. "It’s a great advantage to manufacturers."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Brian DeLong, Business Center of Southwest Michigan
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