The Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator has received grants that will fund a feasibility study to look at a possible expansion or relocation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant for $12,500 and a matching $12,500 TVA grant will be used for the study.
Representatives from the USDA Rural Development, TVA, the offices of U.S. Senator Bob Corker and U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann and CBBI gathered
Wednesday at the incubator to present and receive the funds.
"The USDA Rural Development and the Tennessee Valley Authority have been invaluable partners in the growth of the Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator," said Hurley Buff, CBBI director. "It has been this type of support throughout the years that has allowed the incubator to increase our ability to serve a greater number of businesses in the Cleveland and Bradley County area."
The incubator was founded in July, 2000 on the campus of Cleveland State Community College to provide a space and assistance for startup businesses. Since then the incubator has expanded four times. In addition to the original site, CBBI opened its Cleveland Bradley Innovation Center in December, 2011.
"We have been very blessed, and we are excited to see what the future will hold," said Beau Burris, CBBI board president.
There are 46 startup businesses currently housed in the incubator and innovation centers.
"Our services are in high demand and our waiting list gets pretty long at times, but with the college being land locked, there is no where else to expand on campus," Mr. Buff said.
Since 2000, CBBI has assisted the startup of 160 businesses which have created over 600 jobs.
CBBI also plans to maintain its presence on the Cleveland State campus.