BUSINESS IDEAS GROW

Incubators aren't just for babies; they're for businesses, too.

Statistics show that small-business survival rates are slim about 20 percent nationally.

Those odds improve, however, where there are "business incubators."

"Research shows that the trend is almost reverse when companies are nurtured in incubators," said Judy Moss, economic developer for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. "Statistics point out that 80 percent of new businesses that have been through incubators survive."

There are 346 incubators in 41 states, and the National Business Incubation Association estimates that by 1995 there will be 1,000 such facilities.

"We hope to be one of those new incubators," said Moss. "There is a lot of interest in incubators in Cape Girardeau, and there are a lot of people who would like to try a new business in such a program."

The local chamber has teamed up with Southeast Missouri State University to study small-business activity in the Cape Girardeau area. The research team is almost through its study. Once the study has been completed and evaluated, the chamber will make a decision on whether to continue any plans for an incubator.

An incubator program provides a step up for new businesses. Incubator tenants may share such support services as a central receptionist, computer facilities, conference rooms and secretarial services to help cut overall costs.

Regionally, incubator programs have met with success in Carbondale, Ill., and Poplar Bluff.

The incubator at Carbondale is in its second year of operation. During its first complete year of operation the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Business Incubator helped create 29 new jobs 20 full time and helped two businesses experience sufficient growth to "leave the nest" and relocate within the community.

The incubator is currently home to 10 small businesses, including three that have expanded their rental space inside the incubator building.

The Carbondale center serves three primary functions: services, including business counseling; workshops and seminars provided through the Small Business Center for Enterprises in the region as well as tenants inside; hands-on training and support, including business computer seminars, loan packaging and business tax seminars; and applied research and development programs, including a program for training dislocated workers who wish to co-own their own businesses.

Dislocated workers are those who have lost their jobs through circumstances beyond their control.