The Business and Entrepreneurial Center houses study for more than 30 degrees, options and certificates in accounting, business management, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, marketing management and other programs, along with a business incubator program.

Creating a quality workforce is the single most important issue in business relocation and expansion, said guest speaker Rich Frederick, executive director of the governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and a Jackson High School graduate. “Stark State is one of the finest community colleges in Ohio,” he said, citing the College’s history of meeting the needs of local business and industry. “You get it. You do it right. I’d like to use Stark State as a model for the rest of the state.”

The new 47,700-square-foot facility, which opened in January, 2012, features an 86-seat lecture hall; atrium seating for more than 300; financial, marketing and captioning labs; two classrooms and three computer labs; a testing center; and faculty offices.

The facility includes a business incubator to provide office space and services for 14 entrepreneurs and/or small businesses, with the goal of helping Stark County businesses begin and thrive. The Center provides all the office resources a small start-up needs, with the added value of Stark State faculty and students to assist with developing business plans, market research, web sites and other business support services.