The Business Development Center in North Bend is seen Tuesday. World Photo by Alex Powers

Since 1998, the Business Development Center in North Bend has been helping new businesses get started. Also called the business incubator, the center nourishes young businesses until they’re ready to be out on their own — guiding them from newly hatched idea to fledgling operation, ready to leap out of the nest.

“They graduate out of here after about three years,” said Arlene Soto, center director. “Once they’ve matured a little bit, they’re ready to go out into the community.”

Soto said the goal is to keep rent low enough so tenants can accomplish their business plans.

Graduates have included BnT Embroidery, TruNorth, Star of Hope and the Black Market Gourmet.

The center has nine offices and nine bays, with one 1,300-square-foot bay available now and two more in coming months.

Southwestern Oregon Community College operates a computer lab at the center.

Besides offering low rent, a conference room, access to a receptionist, copying and a fax machine, the Development Center offers confidential help with business and financial plans, marketing, bookkeeping and taxes, hiring and training employees, accessing capital and accessing resources for technology and knowledge-based businesses.

The staff monitors each company every step of the way. They can have one-on-one meetings and attend classes and programs throughout the year. The center offers a business excellence program in January and a business planning program in the fall. Classes are for any prospective business owner, not just tenants. A weekly how-to-start-a-business class costs $10.

“We base our classes on what the needs are in the community,” Soto said.

The more than 20,000-square-foot building is located on Coos County Airport District land, so it’s tax-free. The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay pays for the receptionist-office manager’s salary. The community college pays the salaries of the two full-time center employees. Each of the businesses pay their own employees. For information on the Business Development Center, 2455 Maple Leaf Lane, drop in or call the center at 756-6778 or go to the Web site at http://www.portofcoosbay.com/bizcenter.htm.