Carol Trent Davis
Frank L. Blum Construction Company has been selected by the Simon G. Atkins Community Development Corporation to manage the initial renovation phase of its planned Enterprise Center in the former Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club building at 1922 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive.
The Enterprise Center will serve as the anchor for the south end of the MLK corridor by providing a mixed-use facility. The initial phase of the renovations will focus on developing space for a small business incubator that will support new and emerging companies, especially those with a “green” focus. The incubator will be a business networking, training, support and counseling hub for its tenants. It will have approximately 20 offices ranging from 100 to 500 square feet, with rental rates starting at $150 a month. In addition to supporting the creation of sustainable economic growth in the community, the S. G. Atkins CDC will incorporate sustainable, or “green,” principles in the renovation of the Enterprise Center, as well as through future programs and activities that will be held there.
The Old Boys and Girls Club will soon have a new look and feel.
“We chose Blum Construction because they are a local contractor that will provide jobs for local people, because they have a proven track record, and because of their experience building and renovating ‘green’ spaces,” said Carol Davis, executive director of the S. G. Atkins CDC.
“We are excited to be involved in this important project and to help facilitate Simon G. Atkins CDC’s mission,” said Drew Hancock, president of Frank L. Blum Construction Company. “The economic health of the neighborhoods surrounding Winston-Salem State University certainly deserves the important focus the Enterprise Center will offer.”
As a small business development project, the Enterprise Center is supported by numerous partners including Winston-Salem State University, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of Winston-Salem, Golden LEAF Foundation, Duke Energy, Truliant Federal Credit Union and the Winston-Salem Community Development Support Collaborative.
