MCEDP

Buggy Factory building, Carthage

This Moore Alive website is full of stories about talented local entrepreneurs who have found success in Moore County, such as Cameron Cruse of R. Riveter and Micah Niebauer of Southern Pines Brewing Company, to name just two.  And then there are others who have an idea or are just starting up and they feel that Moore County is the right place to be, such as the Hallings of American Whiskey Co.  Entrepreneurs in all stages of developing their businesses are thriving here, and an exciting project currently underway should help make the entrepreneurial journey a little easier.

The March/April 2021 issue of Pinehurst Living magazine features an excellent article, “Buggy Factory Reboot”, about efforts to renovate and repurpose the historic “Buggy Factory” building in downtown Carthage to be an Entrepreneurship Hub.  Partners in Progress, Moore County’s economic development organization, has partnered with the Town of Carthage to create the Hub to serve all of Moore County, but a particular focus will be the more economically-challenged areas of the County where new industry recruitment is difficult.  Carthage owns the Buggy building, and the Town’s central location within the County is an easy drive.

The Hub will be a catalyst for creating new businesses that will generate new jobs, increase the tax base, and stimulate additional economic opportunities.  Moore County has a strong entrepreneurial culture and ecosystem, and the Entrepreneurship Hub can be the nexus that connects entrepreneurs to resources and to each other, and links the economic engine of entrepreneurship to the distressed areas of Moore County.

The facility will offer physical space and a wide variety of support resources for new start-ups and emerging businesses.  Offices at reduced rent, conference rooms, business counseling, workshops, and networking events are among the many services the Hub could provide.

The Buggy building still has a way to go before it becomes the Hub, but when its doors finally do open, it could be a game-changer not just for our entrepreneurial community, but for the entire County.  And, Partners in Progress is also working to achieve a “Certified Entrepreneurial Community®” designation for Moore County that will say “Hey Entrepreneurs, come and start your businesses in Moore County!”

>> Read the full article “Buggy Factory Reboot” by Ray Owen from Pinehurst Living’s March/April 2021 issue.