The city’s small-business incubator, slated for a $5.2 million upgrade later this year, also will start offering its services to firms across Hamilton County.
“We’re at a time when all businesses need assistance,” said Tom Edd Wilson, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive, on Wednesday.
In the past, just startups located in the Business Development Center on Cherokee Boulevard had access to its seminars, help with business plans, accounting setup services and counselors.
Now, small businesses throughout the county can benefit, Mr. Wilson said at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards luncheon.
“It can become an area where we act as a catalyst,” he said.
While referral services will be free, there are charges for seminars. Consulting fees vary but are well below market rate, according to officials. The expanded services are to start later this year.
The 90-year-old building housing the BDC is to start receiving a major refurbishing late this summer or early fall, Mr. Wilson said.
The 125,000-square-foot structure for many years housed the 3M Co. and opened as the city-county business incubator in 1988.
AWARD WINNERS
Meanwhile, three companies were given small business of the year awards by the Chamber.
Southern Hearth and Patio, Metro Services Inc. and Access America were named by the business group.
WTCI-TV also was named outstanding nonprofit of the year at the Chamber event that drew about 1,200 people to the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Ronelle Sellers of Southside Creative Group, who heads the selection panel, cited the companies for finding new and innovative ways to do business and grow revenues.
Ron Speicher, president of heating and air conditioning firm Metro Services, said he’s hopeful of landing two major solar power projects in the city within the next 60 days. One is a commercial job and the other an industrial project, he said.
Mr. Speicher said work is awaiting approval of state grants, which help make the projects economically feasible.
He said his company has invested about $30,000 in solar training.
Mr. Speicher said he sees this year as a better one than 2009 in terms of company revenues.
“We see a rebound in sales of 20-25 percent,” he said, declining to cite specific figures.
Other award finalists were Amara Home Care, Derryberry Public Relations, Doubletree Hotel, Friends of the Zoo/Chattanooga Zoo, Hullco Exteriors, Jewish Community Federation-Greater Chattanooga, McCright & Associates, and Ruby Falls.
AWARD WINNERS
* Southern Hearth and Patio
* Metro Services Inc.
* Access America Transport
* WTCI-TV