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Ceramics
Corridor Innovation Centers Recognized
as a Top-Performing Incubator
ALFRED,
N.Y.—The Ceramics Corridor
Innovation Centers (CCIC) have
been ranked a top-performing
technology incubation program
in a report produced by the
National Business Incubation
Association (NBIA) following
a 12-month analysis of U.S.
technology business incubators.
In
the recently concluded study,
an industry research team organized
by NBIA examined the make-up
and performance of technology
incubators across the country
to determine the characteristics
key to high-performing programs.
Seventy-nine programs participated
in the study, which was funded
by a grant from the U.S. Department
of Commerce’s
Office of Technology Policy.
CCIC was ranked in the top ten
programs in the study in terms
of average revenue growth experienced
by client companies.
“The
ultimate goal of an incubation
program is to facilitate the business
success of its client companies,”
said Dinah Adkins, NBIA president
and CEO. “The Ceramics
Corridor Innovation Centers have
created a program that provides
entrepreneurs with the resources
they need to create high-growth
enterprises, which has benefited
both the entrepreneurs and business
community as a whole.”
Business
incubation programs catalyze the
process of starting and growing
companies by providing entrepreneurs
with the expertise, networks and
tools they need to make their
ventures successful. These programs
help emerging businesses survive
the risky start-up phase by providing
them with an array of business
support services, such as flexible
leases and on-site business counseling,
with a goal of graduating successful
firms that create jobs and build
wealth in their communities.
“Since
opening in 1992, CCIC has helped
over 19 businesses, “ states
Executive Director, Jon Wilder.
“Eleven of those businesses
have graduated and moved to their
own facilities.”
At the end of 2001, incubating
businesses reported wages paid
to employees of $3.6 million.
Graduates, through the three-year
post-graduation period, paid out
$38 million in wages. In the sales
category, incubating businesses
reported domestic sales in excess
of $2.6 million and international
sales of $133,000. Graduated businesses
reported sales totals of $400
million and $500,000 respectively.
“We’ve
proven that the business incubation
method works,” states Wilder.
“Our incubation program
members have maintained a 94%
success rate as compared the
national average of 87%.”
“We
are very optimistic for the future
of the ceramics and advanced materials
industry in New York State and
look forward to continuing our
role in the growth of the region’s
economy. Over the next year, we
will be focusing on new ways to
strengthen our already-solid academic
ties to Alfred University that
provide opportunities and advantages
to our program members,”
Wilder concludes.
For
more information regarding the
National Business Incubation Association,
please visit www.NBIA.org.
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