Business Incubator to Host Open House

The Missouri Rural Enterprise & Innovation Center will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the state’s newest business incubator, Square 1, at 11:30 a.m. March 3.

Located on the lower level of Kirksville’s Economic Development Alliance building at 315 S. Franklin St., Square 1 is a place for entrepreneurs, small business owners, self-employed professionals, students and retirees to work on their ideas, collaborate and network with other members of the space. It offers all the benefits, including technology, of an office where one can spread out and work without having “office space.”

Square 1 is the 36th business incubator in the state. MREIC sponsored a naming contest for the space in the fall of 2015, and the community voted for the winning name. Terry and Charme Killinger submitted it, based on the idea that all businesses start at “square one.” City council member Phil Biston, who has experience running a small business, also came up with the same name.

The ribbon cutting will include tours of the facility, and light refreshments will be served. To celebrate the grand opening, there will be drawings for a free month of membership to the space.

For more information, call 660.665.3348 or email ashafer@kirksvillecity.com.