According to the International Business Innovation Association, (InBIA) “Business incubators nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable. These programs provide their client companies with business support services and resources tailored to young firms. The most common goals of incubation programs are creating jobs in a community, enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses in a community, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies.”
CREATE Opportunity stands for Creating Resilient Economies by Assisting Transforming Entrepreneurs. The initiative includes a network of strategic partners working together to create jobs and to help diversify our local economy. The Commercialization Station located at 1642 Bluefield Avenue is a “dirty space” manufacturing incubator. Renovations were completed in September 2019 and there are currently 3 sections available.
The CREA Company Makerspace is located in Bay 5 at the Commercialization Station. The space is set up with components for electronics and robotics systems, including 3D Printers and Laser Cutters that will be available through memberships. "Crea" is Spanish means "to create" and "to believe".