Incubators: Business incubators on rise

Business incubators are expanding nationwide amid increased demand for the resources, services and counseling the programs typically provide for little or no cost. New incubator programs have been forming in the United States at an annual rate of up to 10 percent for the past five years, and today there are about 1,200, said Tracy Kitts, vice president of the National Business Incubation Association of Athens, Ohio. The programs are commonly funded by economic-development groups, government entities and academic institutions, and more than half support start-ups in a mix of industries. (Source: Wall Street Journal, 05/11/10) Note: The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology is a business incubator and technology transfer office at Stennis Space Center, Miss.