The INNOVATION CENTER celebrates upgrades Tuesday with ceremony

Corpus Christi Caller Times

Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center celebrates upgrades Tuesday with ceremony
By Mike Baird

CORPUS CHRISTI — Julius Cavazos, 34, is so excited about his business incubator, he plans to stay as an anchor client to help others.

“Hitting roadblocks in any new business can be soul-crushing,” the La Villa native said. “People here help keep your motivation up. It’s put some oomph behind us.”

After three years Cavazos is selling his Coltarus Halo Internet technology services to other businesses throughout the U.S., U.K., Mexico and Brazil. He plans to open a satellite office in San Antonio, but hopes to stay aligned with the center’s support, innovation and spirit he has harnessed.

Cavazos is one of nearly three dozen people presently percolating their business at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center.

More than 100 university, business and community leaders gathered Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting to launch the revamped center. A public open house was held afterward to showcase $1.4 million in amenities.

About 100 businesses have been nurtured since the center opened in September 2009, Director Bill Cone said.

“We average creating about 100 jobs a year,” Cone said. “We’re just now approaching maturity of our stride.”

The center operates with four full-time staff, and dozens of contributors, including about 10 graduate students who contribute graphic artist skills, collaborate with entrepreneurs and provide resource work.

“There’s never been a better time in Corpus Christi to start a business,” Cone said. “We’ve got to quit losing our bright graduates to other markets.”

The center is part of a larger economic picture, he said.

It’s one reason the 35,000-square-foot former Wells Fargo Bank in Flour Bluff was purchased for $1.5 million by the Corpus Christi Business and Job Development Corp., known as the Type A board, which decides how to spend tax revenue on economic development programs. Then $1.4 million in federal grant funds paid to build and equip offices for about 35 emerging business clients, Americans With Disabilities Act bathroom upgrades and to improve security and green technology, including electricity-saving LED lighting.

“It’s perfect,” said Mayor Nelda Martinez, after the ribbon-cutting. “A perfect center. And the perfect time for this community to explore this center to help this community continue growing its momentum.”