On April 3, the Chattanooga Times Free Press published a story highlighting the INCubator as a powerhouse for small business growth and innovation. Two weeks later, Hamilton Mayor Weston Wamp announced a plan to sell the building that made that success possible.
The Business Development Center (BDC), home to the INCubator, has powered Chattanooga’s small-business ecosystem for decades. This isn’t just a building — it’s infrastructure. It’s where businesses start and scale.
Today, 34 active businesses operate out of the BDC, supported by partners who help them grow sustainably. The 127,000-square-foot facility includes rare large-scale manufacturing space — something few incubators in the country can offer. Suites house robotics, 3D printing, logistics and consumer goods production. As of 2022, more than 500 businesses have come through the BDC, generating over $70 million in regional economic impact. In 2025 alone, the INCubator supported nearly 60 jobs and over $9 million in impact.
What sets the INCubator apart is its manufacturing capacity. When Branch Technology relocated to Chattanooga, the BDC’s manufacturing space was part of that decision. The company has since raised over $31 million and employs 30 people locally.