Entrepreneur Space grows new businesses

Small business owners are often forced to close their operation well before profits are made and dreams are realized. This is no surprise considering the cost of maintaining a proper workspace in the city.
But the odds for survival in a small business received a major boost when the city opened the Entrepreneur Space, a 12,500 square foot city-sponsored food manufacturing and business incubator in Long Island City.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg toured the incubator in L.I.C. on August 18 and said that this program is a prime example of what government can do to help create jobs.
“When we launched the first business incubator in 2009 to make it easier for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into local businesses and jobs, we pledged to open more if it was successful,” said the mayor. “Today, we have nine incubators that have helped create more than 800 jobs, and businesses have already graduated out of them and moved into their own space. Now, we’re identifying opportunities to expand the program even further. We want New York City to be the most welcoming city in the country for people who want to start a business.”
Bloomberg was joined by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, Assemblymember Catherine Nolan and Councilmembers Jimmy Van Bramer and Gale Brewer.
The city launched the incubator program in 2009 to make it easier for start up business to create jobs and to promote entrepreneurship. Nine business incubators have sprung up in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens, featuring 125,000 square feet of space, with additional projects still in the planning stages.
L.I.C.’s Entrepreneur Space includes four commercial grade kitchens and is open around-the-clock to meet the many demands of each business – currently, 120 businesses use the kitchens to produce an array of products. It also contains a small business incubator offering affordable workstations, job training programs and mentoring services.
The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) operates the Entrepreneur Space with Mi Kitchen es su Kitchen, a consultancy firm, acting as manager. QEDC Executive Director Seth Bornstein said that this space is precisely the type of venture that the city needs.
“The Entrepreneur Space reflects the core mission of the QEDC, which is to create and retain jobs,” he said. “By giving emerging entrepreneurs space, counseling and technical assistance we are helping them grow their business, create employment opportunities and revitalize our communities.”
Businesses operating at the incubator in L.I.C. make products ranging from Whoopie pies and Indian food, to organic dog biscuits, cakes, cookies and catering. Pilar DeGuzman of Bonne Fete Baking, Inc. said that the support behind the space is even more valuable than the space itself.
“Not only is the space itself important, but the support behind it has been invaluable,” said DeGuzman.