First Posted: 11/27/2013

PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will officially launch its Entrepreneurship Incubator at 202 Main St. in downtown Pembroke at 9 a.m. on Friday.

The incubator will provide space for eight to 12 start-up businesses. The building will also house the offices of two UNCP business development programs — the Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship and the Small Business and Technology Development Center.

With a planned opening in spring of 2015, the incubator is expected to produce 115 jobs and create private investment of $1.15 million within three years. It will also give UNCP business students hands-on experience with start-up and expanding businesses.

The university will receive a $932,000 federal grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. When combined with $200,000 from the Golden Leaf Foundation and $210,000 from private donors, the Entrepreneurship Incubator will be able to purchase and renovate the 16,800-square-foot storefront building.

The community is welcome to tour the facility before its $1.3 million renovation.