Incubator Future Sparks Business Concerns
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – An announcement made by county staff at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday involved a discussion of a proposal related to the Hamilton County Business Development Center.
The proposal involves the possible sale of the county-owned building that houses the INCubator program, which supports dozens of small businesses and startups.
Tenants say the idea was introduced on a short timeline and with limited prior notice.
Chantz Yanagida, CEO of a business at the Hamilton County INCubator, said the situation has affected businesses inside the building. “It’s been a huge scramble… what does this mean for each one of our businesses… this is quite literally gonna displace 34 active strong small businesses and startups in the community.”
The discussion includes concerns about maintenance costs involving the aging county-owned facility, according to what has been shared in the discussion.
Tenants say they have not been given a detailed transition plan outlining what would happen if the property is sold.
David Suker, a tenant in the INCubator program, said business owners asked for a plan during conversations with county leadership. “We pressed very clearly to the chief of staff for Mayor Wamp about what the plan was and there was no plan. We were told that they were working on a plan, but there is none right now so we’re asking is before you sell the building. Let’s have a plan no plan no vote.”
Inside the incubator, tenants say businesses often work closely together and rely on one another for services and customers.
Chelsea McAmis, a business owner in the program, described those relationships. “Businesses here at the incubator we communicate with each other all the time… we are each other’s first customers essentially.”
Some business owners are organizing a response and are encouraging supporters to gather at the courthouse wearing orange shirts to ask for a delay in any vote until a transition plan is in place.
The proposal is expected to be considered at an upcoming commission meeting, with a vote currently scheduled for May 6th.
