Colfax Downtown Association incubator program supports business development, rural revitalization
With a Small Business Innovation Fund grant from Commerce, the Colfax Downtown Association is breathing new life into its historic business core and reimaging what’s possible for business development in the rural community.
 For the past two years, the Colfax Downtown Association has embarked on its biggest challenge yet: Purchasing and renovating two buildings, and the creation of a business incubator. It was designed to help entrepreneurs develop their business ideas with lower overhead costs and provides a support system to help them succeed from the start.
The Cellar and The Coco Bee joined the business incubator in fall 2023, occupying the ground level of one building. Wild Ember Kitchen was selected for the restaurant incubator and recently opened in the second building one block south.
According to Executive Director Whitney Bond, the incubator project is having a domino effect on the rest of historic Main Street. The downtown association is focused on economic development and beautification projects, including incentivizing businesses to complete property upgrades to care for buildings that are nearly as old at the city itself.
The Cellar, The Coco Bee and Wild Ember are thriving as part of the program. The unique businesses regularly collaborate and support each other, while focusing on their own success stories.
Read their full story on our website.
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