HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2010-08-11 Business Incubator (EMBARGO)
Town of Leesburg
News Release
PLEASE EMBARGO UNTIL 8:00 A.M., AUGUST 11, 2010
Contact:
Marantha Edwards
Economic Development Manager
medwards@leesburgva.gov
703-737-7019
Town Inks Deal to Bring a Mason Enterprise Center to
Leesburg
Business incubator and telework center to be located at 202 Church Street SE
in Historic Downtown Leesburg
Leesburg, VA (August 11, 2010) – On Tuesday, August 10, 2010, the Leesburg Town Council
authorized Town Manager John Wells to execute a lease that will bring a new Mason Enterprise
Center location to downtown Leesburg.
The business incubator, which will also house the Town’s Economic Development Department,
will ultimately be located at 202 Church Street SE. Virginia Heritage Properties has an approved
site plan for a 10,000 square foot, 3-story office building at that location. The new business
incubator will occupy 7,140 square feet of the building when it is completed. Owner Joanna
Coston estimates that construction will take approximately 12 months.
In the interim, the Mason Enterprise Center, along with the Town’s Economic Development
staff, will set up shop in a temporary location at 15 North King Street. The temporary space is
furnished and Town staff anticipate taking occupancy within the next 60 days.
“Interest in our incubator has been building within the entrepreneurial community,” explained
Marantha Edwards, the Town’s Economic Development Manager. “So, it was important for us
to get the incubator up and running as quickly as possible, while still making the best long-term
location decision. This two-part lease allows us to do just that.”
The process of establishing a business incubator in Leesburg began in March 2007, when the
Leesburg Economic Development Commission added an Incubator Feasibility Study to its list of
Business Development Strategy implementation steps. In July 2008, the Town hired the Mason
Enterprise Center to conduct the feasibility study. The Mason Enterprise Center presented
their findings and recommendations to the Council in May 2009. In July 2009, the Town issued
TOL PR 2010-08-11 Business Incubator
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an Expression of Interest, inviting commercial property owners to submit proposals for office
space to house the new Leesburg business incubator. Thirteen proposals were received and
evaluated based on the fourteen requirements detailed in the Expression of Interest.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Mason Enterprise Center to create a new business
innovation hub in Leesburg, and we’re looking forward to possible partnerships with the Small
Business Development Center and Loudoun County,” said John Wells, Leesburg’s Town
Manager. “Having a Mason Enterprise Center location in the Historic Downtown will help
solidify Leesburg’s reputation as a great place to start and grow a business.”
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