Published: October 24, 2009 06:47 pm      

DAEDF branches out to new facility

DUNCAN — In an effort to be more accessible to its customers, the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation moved its headquarters to the old Haulmark building at the entrance of the industrial park, north of the city.

The 100,000 square-foot building was purchased by the foundation, said Lyle Roggow, DAEDF president, and the move was made the first week of the month.

“This allows us to be closer to the folds we always work with, in the manufacturing sector.”

Because the building is so large and much of the furniture was left behind, Roggow said, this allows them to divide it into office spaces for people just starting businesses. He said there are 31 office spaces in the building.

“The best way to manage a business incubator is to be on-site,” he said. “We have a couple of tenants that are businesses in the incubator and now if someone comes in looking to start a business, we can show them the office spaces available.”

While the foundation name remains the same, the old Haulmark, old Sooner facility will be renamed as the Duncan Center for Business Development.

“The incubator part is the Duncan Center for Business Development branch of what we do. It will be to help start business and grow business. That’s what we are trying to do as well.”

Roggow also indicated that the layoffs which have occurred this year in Stephens County was another reason for starting the DCBD.

“In light of what has been going on with individuals being laid off, some prefer to start their own businesses. This is a way for them to come out, it’s an outreach to those people to get started.”

A business incubator is a good model for small companies just starting out who have a lot of research to do. Roggow said the DAEDF presence in the industrial park connects them with those early companies, which allows them to also connect with Red River Technology Center and Cameron University resources.

“We can help them channel in the direction they are going, especially with technology advancement,” he said.

The incubators are also good for those who seek some type of opportunity with growth, like an engineering firm, or service type company.

He said once a business is a certified incubator, they have the opportunity to not pay income tax to the state of Oklahoma for 5 years, and if they have 75 percent of sales outside of the state, that tax benefit is for an additional 5 years.

“The real purpose behind having a business incubator is to make them more successful,” Roggow said.

“Out here, they can lean on each other for support. It takes time for these businesses to grow. We want to foster and create growth. Every community has its share of entrepreneurs, we just want to help get them guided in a good direction,” he said.

An open house has been planned for Nov. 20.