In a state full of quality business incubators and economic developers, the Murata Business Center, tucked away in Carlisle, has emerged this year as one of the most decorated.
Last month, Murata earned Program of the Year honors during the Pennsylvania Economic Developers Association fall luncheon. Murata was recognized for its ongoing work that includes seven incubated companies that are still in business and nine current tenants in its incubator that employ close to 80 workers and generate $7 million in revenue.
Over the summer, Murata took home a national honor as the National Business Incubator Association awarded it the NBIA Soft Landings International Incubator designation. Murata offers a full slate of business services for nondomestic firms that have helped them enter the U.S. market, like WebpageFX, which came to South Central PA from Germany.
For Murata, success has been achieved simply by connecting a bevy of resources for local entrepreneurs.
Were trying to connect in a lot of different ways, says Karen Gunnison, an attorney who represented many area businesses and joined Murata as executive director two years ago. Were on Twitter, and Ive actually met live people that way.
Murata is located in a Keystone Innovation Zone as well as a Technology Corridor Enterprise Zone, and both state programs provide tax credits and financing assistance. Its Dream It, Do It programs have been popular. The informal program spotlights successful start-ups and resources available to those gearing up for their new business venture and will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Shippensburg at the Market Cross Pub and on Nov. 23 in Harrisburg at the Appalachian Brewery.
Source: Karen Gunnison, Murata Business Center
Writer: Joe Petrucci