Mark Anderson, communications coordinator for the center, said the space simplifies the process for businesses that are looking to come to the area, grow their company, or find skilled workers.
“This is our time to stand up and take control of how we help businesses,” he said.
The Business Solutions Center is a partnership between the county, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Means Jobs, Sinclair Community College, Dayton Development Coalition, Business First!, Wright State University and the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.
Local businesses can use the space as a meeting place, an incubator for collaborations, as a resource for information on government regulations, and counseling on tax credits and permits. Business courses and networking opportunities will be offered.
County commissioners, city officials and business leaders attended the grand opening ribbon cutting of the center on Wednesday, touting the project as a “first-in-practice” business initiative.
The center occupies more than 10,000 square feet, and includes an event room with 96-person occupancy, a boardroom with 18 to 20 person occupancy, single offices, and a contemporary designed cafe area. The office building, located near the University of Dayton Arena, once housed Delphi.
Christopher Shaw, city commissioner for Dayton, said the partnership will address issues companies in the region face, like finding skilled workers.
“It guarantees new jobs will come,” he said.
The Dayton Daily News reported in May that board of commissioners approved an annual lease contract with IRG Dayton II LLC for more than $190,000. Earlier in the year, the county commissioners also approved spending up to $178,000 on office furniture for the center.
Several of these community partners contribute to the overall lease amount, and have also contributed donations for other shared expenses, Anderson said.
Sinclair Community College Workforce Development & Corporate Services has leased 2,000 square feet within the suite, which will house seven employees and a testing services center. Each company or entity pays for the space they’ve leased, according to Anderson.
Deborah Norris, senior vice president for Sinclair’s workforce development services, said the space gave community partners the opportunity to “leverage everyone’s different expertise on a whole new level.”
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