The Owatonna Business Incubator (OBI) is a community wide program that offers assistance to individuals interested in starting a business or growing their business in the Owatonna, Minnesota, USA area. If you are an OBI client and your business needs startup space, the incubatior facilities may be an option. To provide startup and growth assistance, OBI services are broken down into three distinct programs that are listed below.

1. Counseling and planning assistance
   This assistance is available at no-cost to the client and is kept strictly confidential. Click the "Counseling & Planning" tab above for ways OBI maybe available to help with your idea or growing business.
2. Incubator building/tenant program
   This is a program for start-up or early stage businesses that have a regional or beyond focus in their marketing plan. Click the "Building/Tenant Program" tab above for details.
3. Partnerships for growth
   OBI staff are actively involved representing start-up and young growth companies as part of the City of Owatonna’s economic development group referred to as the Partners For Progress. OBI involvement is to facilitate various loan programs for small business as well as coordination with the other partners to insure small businesses receive the support they ask for and on a timely bases. Click the "Partnerships" tab above for more details on this program.

Counseling & planning assistance

Anyone interested in starting or growing an existing business in the Owatonna area can receive no-cost confidential help. You do not have to be a Tenant in OBI’s rental facility to use these services. Simply contact us, we are here to help Here are several ways we may be of help:

1. Business information. Our consultants can help you obtain information on regulatory requirements, market conditions, industry trends and more.
2. Business assessment. We can review your current business situation and make recommendations that will help you capitalize on your strengths. We also can help you evaluate the challenges as well as the opportunities when purchasing an existing business.
3. Business Plan. From determining the money you will need to grow, to successfully marketing your business, a business plan is your blueprint for success. We can guide you in the development of a plan or review and make suggestions for improve your existing business plan, all to help you reach your business goals.
4. Financial analysis and loan packaging. If financing your start-up is one of your needs, we can help you develop the needed financial reports. If you have an existing business we can help you analyze your financial situation, identify sources of financing and help you organize the necessary documentation needed to make a loan application.
5. Knowing your customer is one of the hardest parts of business. We can work with you to develop a marketing plan that coordinates with your business plan and allows you to take advantage of market opportunities.

Incubator Building Lease/Tenant Program

The Owatonna Business Incubator provides counseling and startup assistance. If you are an OBI client and your business needs startup space, the incubatior facilities may be an option.

 

• Tennants who rent space in the OBI facility will have a regional, national, & international focus in their marketing plan.

• Tennants are also compatible with the buildings ammenities and existing tennants.

• The Tennant’s primary business will not be warehousing.

 

Businesses that locate in the facility operate independently while having the expertise and resources available to them to grow and expand their business. In addition, the tenants save money by leasing only the amount of space they need today, yet they have the ability to add space as their business grows. The minimum space rental is 800 square feet up to a maximum of approximately 10,000 depending on availability. The money saved in leasing only the space needed today can then be used for marketing, equipment and so on to grow their business.

 

By leasing space in the Incubator building, you lease only the amount of space you need today, you can add space as needed. You will have the expertise available to help you grow. Your business will enjoy all the amenities typically only available to large companies.

 

Please contact us for leasing options.

Partnerships for Growth

OBI’s involvement is to facilitate various loan programs for small business in the Owatonna area. OBI works closely with area lenders, city programs, and can access various state and federal resources as needed by the client.