Mike McIntyre, senior advisor and director of Poyner Spruill’s government relations practice, helped launch UNC-Pembroke’s Entrepreneurship Incubator.
McIntyre, along with state legislators, university, business and community leaders, helped open the $1.2 million incubator in downtown Pembroke. The center will nurture entrepreneurs in a 10-county region in southeastern North Carolina.
“This project is a great example of what can happen when the local, state and federal government partners with private sector,” McIntyre, a former Congressman said. “The incubator will help generate much-needed jobs and business activity in Robeson County and the surrounding region.”
The incubator is the result of five years of work by the university and regional leaders, coordinated by Cammie Hunt, the university’s associate vice chancellor for Engaged Outreach. Supported by a mix of public and private funding, it opened this month.
UNCP’s Thomas Center for Entrepreneurship will be housed in the 17,000-square-foot facility. The incubator has room for 10 start-up businesses and can help more additional businesses through affiliate relationships. It will also serve as a way to get students involved in business and entrepreneurship.
The incubator will be staffed by business advisors, a director, including UNCP’s entrepreneur-in-residence and a UNC Small Business Technology and Development Center representative.
