Alton, Illinois is seated in the heart of the United States on the Mississippi River. This modest city is rich with history, beautiful sights, as well as unique potential. Even with its historical past, there are still plenty of opportunities for economic growth. Small business entrepreneurs can utilize mentoring, training, and professional development resources that are available locally. Another way to stimulate economic development is through the use of incubators. Business incubators assist small business start-ups by providing crucial administrative support, they can also provide advice and guidance. By utilizing incubators, small business owners can get their organization off to a cost-efficient start.
A few types of incubators that would benefit Alton are business, technology, kitchen, farm, and healthcare. Funding for these kinds of spaces are also available on several different levels. If the City of Alton, entrepreneurs, and locals are mindful of the demographics and the needs of the residents then small business start-ups and incubator spaces could help the city flourish. Another group of students worked to develop a survey to identify the barriers to small business startups in the city. If you are from the Alton, Metro-East, or St. Louis area please take a few moments to take the survey.