Thurston EDC And SPSCC To Collaborate On New Entrepreneurial Center In Lacey

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Submitted by Thurston Economic Development Council

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) announced today that it has entered into a collaborative agreement with South Puget Sound Community College to establish an entrepreneurial center at the future Rowe Six campus of SPSCC, catalyzing the development and growth of high-wage, highvalue, private sector companies in our community.

As part of its expansion, SPSCC will be moving the functions of its entire Hawks Prairie Center to the Rowe Six campus, located on Sixth Avenue SE in downtown Lacey. The site consists of five existing office building totaling 100,000-square-feet in Lacey’s Woodland District. In addition, the Thurston EDC will also move its entire operations to the campus, allowing both organizations to capitalize on the strengths of the other to ensure that the highest quality business resources are provided to Thurston County.

“The collaborative approach we are taking with SPSCC in creating a synergistic economic development engine will help recruit new investment into Thurston County, and accelerate and retain private sector investment in our region,” said Michael Cade, Executive Director of the Thurston EDC.

The concept for this collaboration is the outgrowth of conversations that executive staff at SPSCC and Thurston EDC – along with partner organizations City of Lacey, Thurston Chamber of Commerce, Saint Martin’s University and leaders at Joint Base Lewis McCord –  have had on how to best move forward as a community to support cluster sector growth and entrepreneurial growth. The EDC and SPSCC have complimentary long-term objectives to visualize a model for regional economic development, and are actively envisioning the scope of the new facility and its offerings.

“The college is excited about this evolution in our partnership with the EDC and delighted at the possibilities for economic growth this will bring the community and the opportunities this will offer students,” said Tim Stokes, president of South Puget Sound Community College.

SPSCC is embarking on an $8M renovation of the first building on the Rowe Six property. The renovation of the 50,000 square-foot building is slated to be complete by the end of 2014, with both organizations moving into the space soon thereafter.

 

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