‘We truly want to see businesses start here, grow here and thrive’

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation looks to expand its mission with the aid of $1.5 million federal grant

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was the recipient of $1.5 million in federal funding as part of its efforts to provide expanded resources beyond campus.

The grant, which was part of the 2023 omnibus funding legislation that was approved by the federal government, was recently announced by the offices of Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and awarded more than $18 million for projects in the State of Maryland.

According to the website of Senator Cardin, the funding will be used to “convert underutilized facilities into a new Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at UMES, which will provide entrepreneurial resources, business incubator spaces, a Maker’s Space, and educational facilities.”

The services provided are free to the public, with the ultimate purpose of bringing economic development to the region and supporting minority-owned small businesses.

The CEI, which received a $2 million grant from the Maryland Department of Commerce’s “E-Nnovation Initiative Fund” towards its establishment in 2019, is in the process of expanding.

“The first phase was creating a physical space, which we have done here and it has accommodated our needs thus far,” said Dr. Pamela Allison, the Endowed chair of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. “However, we’re already starting to burst out of the seams which is why we are expanding to the other two zones.”

Those zones, which include a discovery and ideation zone and demonstration and acceleration room, will be companion pieces to the current maker’s space, education space, and pitch zone. The spaces will be equipped with many entrepreneurial tools including UV and 3D printers, laser etchers and engravers, a 3D scanner, and a vinyl cutter.

As phase one continues, the second step in the expansion involves the long-term goal of increasing its exposure in the community and on the Lower Eastern Shore.

“We’d like to see an incubator and accelerator facility out in the community,” Allison said. “We want to be cutting-edge technology and innovation. And so, we plan to keep expanding into spaces that accommodate that.”

Allison added that the need to spur innovation and entrepreneurship will help narrow and fill gaps in minority-owned businesses in Somerset County and on the Lower Shore.

With the sessions and seminars also open to staff, faculty, current students and alumni, Allison also emphasized the number of opportunities available to all interested parties.

“Everything we do is free of charge,” she said. “We truly want to see businesses, start here, grow here and thrive. Our goal is to help you build a business that soars above and beyond.”

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