KC Distance Learning Is First Tenant in Bloomsburg Business Incubator
The Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center (BRTC) is the most recent addition to the Ben Franklin Business Incubator Network and in early August, Ben Franklin client KC Distance Learning (KCDL) became the very first tenant.
KCDL provides complete, regionally accredited, independent study distance learning for high school students in grades 9-12. The company serves 25,000 traditional and home-schooling students worldwide.
“The BRTC is a great space with all the flexibility you could want from an infrastructure standpoint. As time goes by and more technology companies come in, we’ll see a real open environment, a sharing of ideas and information between the tenants,” says Mark Burke, director of Keystone National High School, KCDL’s main program.
Key Benefits Drew KCDL
The BRTC uses the resources of Bloomsburg University and is an important element in the Greater Susquehanna Keystone Innovation Zone. The reduced operating costs of starting a company in a business incubator are typically what initially draw early-stage companies. But the business development assistance and sharing of best practices among tenants are also key benefits, which is what attracted the well-established KCDL to the Center.
Having resided in the Bloomsburg area for more than 30 years, the company had outgrown its space. “We needed room to grow and we’re committed to seeing the area prosper,” says Burke. “Because we’re the anchor tenant, we’re treading new ground and will hopefully attract more tech-based companies to the area.” Locally, KCDL employs 32 people.
This is not the first time the company has benefited from BFTP assistance. “When we started our e-school program in ’99, BFTP gave us assistance to get the technology end of the school started,” Burke says. Now, as rising comfort level with e-communications helps drive KCDL’s business, BFTP is helping nurture the company’s growth through the incubator and support of the KIZ.
“The people at the BRTC were great to work with. All of our needs – technology, infrastructure, space needs, use of facility – were taken care of,” says Burke. “If we can make the change and come in and not have road blocks then anybody can. Any tech co should feel comfortable coming here.”
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