LOUDONVILLE — A new downtown space is brewing opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The Mohican Area Growth Foundation welcomed the community to The Launch, a business incubator and coworking space at 249 W. Main St. from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13. Visitors toured the space to learn about the program and share ideas for the community’s future.
The Launch will offer workspace, mentorship, educational programming and connections to other entrepreneurs and community resources. Through its developing Growth Partner program, the foundation plans to provide free workspace to qualifying participants working to start, operate or grow a business in the Mohican Area.
Brian Koch, the foundation’s newest member, said the idea grew from conversations about who was starting businesses in Loudonville and how more people could get a jumpstart.
The space is meant to give entrepreneurs a place to develop their ideas and get guidance as they build their businesses. Koch said the goal is to help more people start businesses locally, create jobs and stay in or return to the community.
Evergreen Coffee Roastery served drinks during the open house and visitors could grab free cookies from DuGood Cookie Company. The two local businesses offered a taste of the entrepreneurship and community support that The Launch hopes to foster.
The coffee shop now employs 10 people, showing how a business can create jobs in the community.
“That’s how you move the bar in this town,” Koch said.
The MAGF received a grant from Ashland Area Economic Development to help launch the space and cover some of its first-year operating costs as participants begin using it.
Jordan Lance, the MAGF president, said the organization wants to help people who care about the area turn their ideas into reality.
“We want to hear what you want to do, we want to help it to happen,” Lance said.
The Launch is part of the foundation’s larger effort to strengthen the local economy and quality of life. Their work dips into recreation and tourism projects, downtown improvements and community events.
The foundation shared updates on several of those projects during the meeting, including the upcoming Mohican 5K on Oct. 31 and the Mohican Christkindlmarkt in December.
The 5K supports trail maintenance and the Christkindlmarkt brings vendors and visitors to downtown Loudonville. This year’s market will take place Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11 and 12.
People interested in becoming Growth Partners can learn more through The Launch’s website. The site has a form where entrepreneurs can share their ideas and explain what they want to build. The MAGF will review submissions and provide information about the formal application and next steps.
See more photos from The Launch open house:
