Local Main Street organization will use funds to launch an entrepreneurial hub, including pop-up retail space and co-working facilities
MIDDLESBORO, Ky., Oct. 12, 2023 – Middlesboro Main Street has been awarded a $100,000 Small Business Accelerator grant from The Hartford, in partnership with Main Street America, to create a multi-faceted business incubator space. The new offering, which will be located in a refurbished building in the heart of downtown Middlesboro, will allow local small businesses to initiate in-person operations in affordable retail space, while supporting entrepreneurs at all stages with co-working and event space.
“The Hartford insures nearly 1.5 million small businesses across the country, and we recognize that access to affordable real estate can be a barrier to growth,” said The Hartford’s Head of Small Commercial and Personal Lines Stephanie Bush. “The Small Business Accelerator Grant Program is designed to provide important interim space for business owners to test a bricks-and-mortar operation, while adding vibrancy to downtown districts and commercial corridors.”
With a focus on the long-term economic health of the community, Middlesboro Main Street will help prepare local small businesses to seamlessly transition from the accelerator space to larger, more permanent locations within the Main Street district. They will also empower business owners with essential skills for sustainable growth through a continuum of support, including comprehensive training programs and cohort development initiatives.
“This is an exhilarating moment for Middlesboro Main Street, as we spearhead the transformation of our downtown area into a vibrant entrepreneurial hub,” said board member Celia Shoffner. “This grant will fuel our mission to provide invaluable support for local businesses and jumpstart our journey to both economic revitalization and community empowerment.”
The new space is expected to open in the spring of 2024.
About Middlesboro Main Street
Middlesboro Main Street stands as the cornerstone of community revitalization, devoted to developing, fostering, and encouraging a unified effort for the promotion, development, and preservation of a robust downtown business district. Committed to the enhancement of Middlesboro's economic landscape, the organization serves as a catalyst for positive change and growth. With a vision that transcends immediate gains, Middlesboro Main Street is dedicated to ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for the entire community. Through events, programs, and a genuine passion for community well-being, Middlesboro Main Street is at the forefront of the revitalization movement, shaping the downtown business district into a dynamic and welcoming hub for residents and visitors alike.
About The Hartford
The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity.
More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
For additional details, please read The Hartford’s legal notice.
About Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 40 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Learn more about Main Street America.