Written by Bob Leach Tuesday, 16 November 2010 15:18 SHELBY -- The Kehoe Student Business Incubator is one more tool the region has to promote entrepreneurism and job creation in north central Ohio.The incubator, in North Central State College Kehoe Center's Advanced Learning building, will provide free space to student entrepreneurs who want to start businesses. They will be provided an office and will have access to meeting rooms, mentoring and other services. The incubator opened Monday."This incubator was one of the top three requests of our prospective students," said Nancy Kukay, director of work force development for the college. "We've had a tremendous interest in this event."We have resources in our community ready to help our small businesses."
Pokhia Preedeewong, 21, of Savannah, a 2008 graduate of Crestview High School, is the first student entrepreneur in the incubator, operating his own computer repair business.The electronic engineering technology student said he plans to earn a bachelor's degree and master's degree while operating his own business. Preedeewong works with the college's information technology expert, Brian Baldridge, in a work-study program. He is in the Mechatronics Club and has several projects under way for a national robotics competition.North Central electronics instructor Randy Storms said Preedeewong is at the college every day. "He can tackle about anything," Storms said. College President Don Plotts said the Kehoe Center and the Technology Park are alive with activity."We had a feasibility program done with Angela Phillips (daughter of the late Ralph Phillips), and we found that a restaurant and a motel would be a good fit," Plotts said. "Next year they're researching that with the idea we might be able to attract something like that."We've always had a vision for our third floor to be a conference center, so we would tie in with the hotel and restaurant to offer mini-conferences here."Shelby Mayor Marilyn John said a conference center is needed."The second floor (Kehoe Center) is always booked. It would be a great asset to the community and surrounding area," she said.BY LOU WHITMIRE • News Journal• November 16, 2010 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 419-521-7223