About

What is the Business Enterprise Center?

The Business Enterprise Center (BEC), a regional business accelerator, was created in 1988 through a grant from the Oregon State Lottery as a part of the regional strategies program administered by the State of Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

The most successful incubator in the state outside of the Portland metropolitan area, the BEC has a 24 year history of job creation through business counseling, training, support and assistance to over 160 companies. Its 76% graduation rate approaches that of the 80% metric established by the National Business Incubator Association.
See the impact on the local economy from just one BEC graduate.

The BEC offers a high tech focus for technology transfer and commercialization of innovation close to OSU, Hewlett Packard, and ONAMI.   Additionally, its focus on cluster development in bio-fuels, energy efficiency, open source software, and nano-technology serves as a nexus for job creation. The BEC is a good example of organic, grass-root economic development.

• BEC Vision Statement

  Effectively accelerate the conversion of innovation into profitable traded-sector businesses.

• BEC Mission Statement

  To stimulate and support the development of emerging businesses resulting in the creation and retention of jobs in the region.

• Board of Directors

  The BEC is guided by a Board of Directors who are local business people, dedicated professionals from large and small companies alike. Many directors act as advisors to our clients.

• Staff

  BEC staff members include Executive Director, Kathleen Hutchinson, Marketing Manager, Bill Ford, and Program Manager, Barb Sloan.