NEW ORLEANS – Dr. Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), cut the ribbon Wednesday, June 3, 3015, officially opening the Small Business Incubator Center.
The Center is located on the University’s Lake Campus next to the current College of Business & Public Administration Building.
New Orleans City Council members Nadine Ramsey and Jared Brossett, and Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman attended the 10:00 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Center, which is designed to become the New Orleans Metropolitan Area’s breeding ground for entrepreneurship. The $3-million building houses rental space for entrepreneurs, faculty and staff offices, as well as meeting rooms for tenants and classrooms for students.
In his remarks, Ukpolo thanked federal, state and local officials for pushing through legislation and funding to construct the Center. “This Center would not have been possible without the help and determination of many people dedicated to entrepreneurship and Southern University at New Orleans,” Ukpolo said.
Igwe Udeh, dean of the College of Business & Public Administration, echoed those sentiments as he explained the Center’s mission. “Our passion is to grow more businesses,” Udeh said. “This building will house up to 10 different small businesses for up to three years. We also intend for our students to use this Center as a lab to practice the skills they will need when they enter the business world.”
The Center falls under the leadership of Cynthia Beaulieu, director of the Small Business Development & Management Institute. The University will continue to operate the Small Business Incubator located at 7240 Crowder Blvd. in eastern New Orleans. It currently houses 10 businesses.
