The Braxton County Development Authority (BCDA) has been awarded a $95,000 USDA Rural Business Enterprise grant and a $75,000 Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation grant to assist with the development of a small business incubator for technology related companies at the Braxton Technology Center. Through the development of this small business incubator, the BCDA will provide the physical and organizational infrastructure to nurture and grow high quality jobs. The BCDA recognizes the need to diversify the county’s economic base by supporting the growth of 21st century jobs-those that are technology based, and rooted in communities that provide an excellent quality of life. According to the BCDA’s President, John Jordan, “This project is part of our continuing efforts to diversify the economy here in Braxton County. With our designation by the state as a research and technology zone, we can now offer technology companies many reasons to locate here including tax incentives, management assistance and financial support.” The BCDA has entered into a unique partnership with the West Virginia High Technology Foundation to operate the incubator. The incubator will house up to seven companies who are eligible to receive a broad array of services that will be provided by the Foundation on a continuing basis including assistance with business planning, market analysis, marketing plan, management, raising capital, product development, intellectual property, operations, human resources, regulatory issues, accounting and finance, legal, information management systems, administrative, and strategic alliances. Jim Estep, the President of the Foundation stated that "Strengthening the economy with diverse markets is a mandatory component for any economic development initiative. The High Tech Foundation is very pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the BCDA in pursuit of this important economic development goal. I believe the establishment of the Flatwoods incubator demonstrates an insightful and proactive move on the part of the BCDA. While it is only a piece of the economic development puzzle and will take time to produce results it is nonetheless a key component and investment." The Benedum Foundation supports the use of technology to assist in the community and economic development of West Virginia communities. The Foundation believes that technology can help people and businesses access markets, suppliers and services that may be otherwise inaccessible, therefore opening new opportunities for improving the economy and quality of life for citizens. In August, 2006, the Braxton County Development Authority (BCDA) completed construction of the 30,000 square foot technology center in Flatwoods. The building, known as the Braxton Technology Center, is intended to house technology related companies and was developed as a means of attracting high quality jobs to the community. The Triune Group, a software development firm, is the facility’s anchor tenant. For additional information about the incubator and the Braxton Technology Center, contact the BCDA at 1-866-832-3535 or at info@braxtoncountywv.org