About Us
The Wheelhouse’s Backstory
The Wheelhouse Retail Business Incubator and Community Makerspace is a community economic development initiative led by Huerfano Economic Development Inc. (HCED) , a 501(3) (C) Non-Profit, and supported by other local, regional, state, and federal partners, including significant financial contributions from the Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and Huerfano County.
Through establishing a Pop-Up Retail Business Incubator, Huerfano County hopes to support established business grow, to diversify the retail shopping market, and to fill market gaps with local, independently-owned businesses to facilitate the launch of new or early-stage retail businesses in Huerfano County.
Through the Business Incubation Program, the Wheelhouse intends to encourage small business development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the retail sector which will result in company formation, job creation, increased sales, and growth of the tax base. In addition, the Business Incubator will partner with local and regional partners to provide established businesses with training and community events to increase networking opportunities and continuous skill development.
The Makerspace provides the business incubator clients with facilities, technology-based manufacturing programming, and technical assistance to foster creativity, modernization, and innovation while supporting the business incubator clients in visioning product manufacturing options to meet market demand.
ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by Huerfano County Public Officials, Huerfano Economic Development, Inc, and Southern Colorado Economic Development District (SCEDD). The EDA funds SCEDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs across Southern Colorado.
This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.
Economic Development Administration of the US Department of Commerce
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The main purpose of business incubators is to offer extensive assistance to startups in their early stages of development, with the aim of enhancing their chances of survival and promoting continued growth.
Supportive Environment: Business incubators offer a supportive environment where businesses at any stage can operate and grow. This includes physical spaces, shared resources, and a collaborative atmosphere that encourages innovation.
Resource Provision: Incubators provide businesses with essential resources such as infrastructure to operate in, utilities, and shared services. This helps reduce initial overhead costs for new businesses.
Mentorship and Guidance: Incubators offer mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals. Through coaching and consultations, incubators can provide valuable insights, advice, and industry knowledge to help businesses navigate challenges.
The International Business Innovation Association (INBIA) of the United States of America (US) explains business incubation as: Business incubators nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most vulnerable. Their programs provide client companies with business support services and resources tailored to young firms. The most common goals of incubation programs are creating jobs in a community, enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, retaining businesses in a community, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, and diversifying local economies.
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Access to Networks: Facilitate networking opportunities by connecting startups with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs. This can lead to potential partnerships, collaborations, and funding opportunities.
Training and Workshops: Organize training sessions, workshops, and expert seminars to enhance the skills and knowledge of startup founders. This helps them develop a strong foundation for their business.
Business Planning: Assist startups in developing strategic plans and business models. This involves market research, feasibility studies, and refining the startup's value proposition.
Time-Limited Support: Provide time-limited support, allowing startups to gain independence gradually. This ensures startups become self-sustainable and can thrive on their own after the incubation period.
Validation and Credibility: Enhance a startup's credibility by serving as a source of validation to attract potential customers, partners, and investors.
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Makerspaces.com defines a makerspace as: a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing, using high tech to no tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, soldering irons, and even sewing machines. A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. If you have cardboard, Legos, and art supplies then you’re in business.
Operating Principles
Our staff has adopted these operating principles to ensure the Wheelhouse is a safe space to innovate, create, grow, and share:
Commit and invest in community and economic growth for all
Listen and remain open-minded to new ways of thinking
Build on others’ ideas and work toward shared understanding
Challenge ideas while supporting people
Speak from experience without assuming or generalizing
Give others time and space to be heard
Focus on solutions instead of challenges
Support opinions with evidence whenever possible
Embrace risk and a growth mindset
We ask others sharing the space to make the same commitment while engaging with others at the Wheelhouse.
Meet Our Team
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Trevor Banks
MAKERSPACE MANAGER
An experienced maker and entrepreneur, He has accrued a comprehensive skill set over 15 years in the industry, with specialties in 3D printing, 3D modeling, woodworking, metal fabrication, and CNC operations. His proficiency also extends to electronics and electrical work, forming a strong foundation in product development and prototyping. With a keen ability to blend innovation with craftsmanship, He is dedicated to transforming raw ideas into tangible realities. His contributions continue to shape the Maker Movement and the broader design and manufacturing landscape.
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Thea Chase
BUSINESS INCUBATOR MANAGER
A highly regarded expert in business and economic development, Ms. Chase has mentored 1000+ companies with focus in manufacturing, technology and B2C service firms.
Her experience includes: Serving on several boards of technology and product companies; Raising 20M+ public and private funds; Redevelopment of 46 acre commercial and industrial site; Vice Chair State Venture Capital Authority board; Launching startups in private, government and non-profit sectors.
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Administrative Assistant
Bio Coming Soon!
Our Sponsors
