Housed on the campus of Southwest Technical College, the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center has helped foster success for dozens of businesses.
Officials from local and state government held an official grand opening at the office’s new building dubbed as a “model for the rest of the state” by Gov. Spencer Cox in November 2021, as reported by Cedar City News.
Center manager Jeremy Waite recently gave Cedar City News a tour as programs continue to grow by expanding their services and custom ideas for each business.
“Basically, we are trying to help entrepreneurs reduce the barrier of startup costs, or for those exploring a new idea,” Waite said. “We still have business owners who come in every week that say they had no idea we are here. We have several professionals on staff that can help with solutions to many of the problems they have.”
Some of those problems might include not having up-to-date equipment. For local entrepreneurs who need to produce media-related materials, videos, photographs or audio, Brandon Champet provides advice and technical support as the center’s business counselor.
“We can do visual effects if you need that too,” Champet said.
McKael Stapel oversees the marketing and print equipment at the innovation center. He said several business ideas are in the process of development that started as prototypes in the 3D printing lab, such as a light that clips onto a razor for men who shave in low light.
Iron County businesses who need help printing marketing materials that will promote their business, such as hats or pamphlets, can also receive assistance from the business center, Stapel said.
Waite said the center’s growth shows Cedar City’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, further solidifying its reputation as the best small city to start a business, as recognized recently by online finance company WalletHub.
James Mullenaux, vice president of student and college services at Southwest Technical College, said the annual announcements of successful Southern Utah businesses could be the product of multiple entities in both Washington and Iron counties.
“St. George, Washington and Cedar City have all won the best place to start a small business title in recent years,” he said. “I believe that is due to community investment.”
Gabbie Costello, Cedar City’s community relations official, said one of the reasons Cedar City consistently ranks in the top five is partially due to access to government grants.
Costello noted a recent Cedar City News report regarding funding that was awarded to five businesses through the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Rural County Grant Program.
“We hope to continue this program as long as funding is received and available,” she said. “We are always looking for other sources to assist small businesses. Supporting small businesses remains a top priority in Iron County.”
The Cedar City Business & Innovation Center was started by multiple entities to provide a dedicated space for entrepreneurs to innovate, collaborate and flourish. Southwest Technical College created the Innovation Center and later partnered with Southern Utah University, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Center of Utah, the Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help local businesses.
Southwest Technical College is hosting a Demo Day on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center building, located at 510 West 800 South in Cedar City.
While longtime Cedar City residents might remember taking welding or keyboarding classes in the building once used by Cedar High School students, a recent tour showed renovations of office space for businesses, a 3D printing lab, film and audio production studios, conference rooms and staff to advise and guide those seeking solutions to their business problems.
“If you have a business idea, a start-up or are just thinking about possibilities — come see us on Demo Day,” Waite said. “Join us for food, check out our services and mingle with other small businesses.”
For more information on the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center or Demo Day, click here to visit their website.
Event details
- Cedar City Business & Innovation Center Demo Day
- When: Saturday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: 510 West 800 South, Cedar City, Utah
- Admission: Free
Photo Gallery
Camera equipment in the green screen room at the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center building in Cedar City, Utah, Aug. 8, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, Cedar City / St. George News
Interlocking products made in one single piece, with no assembly required, using 3D printers at the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center building in Cedar City, Utah, Aug. 8, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, Cedar City / St. George News
The Cedar City Business & Innovation Center is the product of multiple state and local entities partnering to help local businesses in Cedar City, Utah, Aug. 8, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, Cedar City / St. George News
L-R: Cedar City Business & Innovation Center Manager Jeremy Waite and McKael Stapel answer a young entrepreneur’s questions about 3D print prototypes in Cedar City, Utah, Aug. 8, 2024 | Photo by Haven Scott, Cedar City / St. George News
State and local government officials, along with the media, attend the opening of the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center in Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 15, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Business & Innovation Center, St. George News
Office space, computer equipment and sewing machine are some of the resources offered at the Cedar City Business & Innovation Center in Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 15, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Business & Innovation Center, St. George News
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