Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurship


The Marysville Entrepreneurial Center (MEC), located at 128 South Main Street in historic Uptown Marysville, is Union County’s center for innovation and entrepreneurial development. The MEC was created in 2008 in partnership with the Union County Commissioners, Union County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), Ohio Small Business Development Center and TechColumbus. The MEC is managed by the Union County CIC with staff assistance from the Union County Economic Development Partnership.

Supporting Entrepreneurialism and Innovation

Many individuals have ideas about new products, systems or programs, but only a few have the dedication and support they need to see their ideas become reality. In the past, local entrepreneurs were forced to leave Union County to find the highly-specified support and service they required. However, with the establishment of the MEC, local entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to take their ideas and grow them into viable, sustainable businesses – right here in Union County.

How the SBEI Assists Entrepreneurs

Small businesses are the fastest growing segment in American commerce and they create 98% of all new jobs. However, over 50% of all small businesses fail in the first year, often because entrepreneurs fail to consider start-up costs and fixed expenses of operation. To support entrepreneurialism in Union County and to foster “grassroots” economic development, the MEC was created to provide modern space at competitive terms for start-up enterprises. The MEC is specifically designed to provide assistance to technology-based entrepreneurs with an emphasis on research and development and manufacturing businesses.

We Invite you to Learn More

Do you have an idea for a new business concept that shows high growth potential and potential value to regional economic development? Are you a capable and motivated entrepreneur that has the financial resources to sustain business during initial start-up phase? If so, and you have a need for unique products and services offered by the MEC, then we encourage you to contact us. Individuals seeking to enter the MEC must have a business plan, a completed application, and be able to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. If accepted by the Union County CIC, the applicant will also be required to provide other information as outlined in the application.

Criteria for tenant selection include:

  • Concepts involving technology-based products, systems or services with a preference for research and development and/or manufacturing businesses.
  • Business plan showing a high growth potential.
  • Potential value to regional economic development in terms of employment, expansion of technology-based or creation of community wealth.
  • Demonstrates financial resources to sustain business during initial start-up phase.
  • Demonstrates need for unique products and services offered by the incubator facility.
  • Capable and motivated entrepreneur or entrepreneurial team.
  • Entrepreneurs currently operating from inadequate interim facilities such as home, garage, storage shed will have preference for consideration.
  • Plan to remain in downtown areas for three years upon exiting incubator.
  • Other criteria as required.


Permitted Uses
• Agribusiness
• Architectural
• Engineering
• Graphic Design
• Health Care Technology
• Manufacturing Technology
• New Technology
• Science-based Innovation
• Web-based Technology
• Others as determined

Non-Permitted Uses
• Retail businesses
• Firms that propose to continue their existing business with no plans of expansion.
• Construction contractors.
• Professional counselors such as accountants, attorneys, and financial planners.
• Businesses whose primary job creation is commissioned sales, such as real estate and insurance. 
• Others as determined.

How It Happens
• Call to schedule an appointment with the Incubator Team:

Jason Stanford
Business Development Manager
Ph: 937-642-6279
jstanford@unioncounty.org

• Complete Client Application
• Submit your business plan
• The Incubator Team will review the business plan and advise candidate with further instructions. 
Union