Royce and Rita Fugate recently honored Royce’s father, Charles “Ted” Fugate, with a donation to the Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI).
Ted grew up in Pomona during the 1930s and worked as a young man at Richard’s Brother Grocery stores both in Pomona and West Plains. During the forties, he moved the family to Kansas City and worked at the North American Bomber Plant and later sold insurance and cars.
It was Ted’s dream to come back to his family century-old farm in Pomona and open a business. Royce said his father was an entrepreneur at heart and had he been alive today would have taken advantage of the business development services offered at the OzSBI.
A plaque will be placed on the Technology Room in the Incubator, commemorating Charles “Ted” Fugate. The Fugate’s utilized Missouri tax credits in making their donation.
The Ozarks Small Business Incubator has a total of $125,000 in 50 percent Missouri tax credits to give to donors. These tax credits must be utilized by the end of this year. Therefore, the OzSBI is busy identifying potential donors who may take advantage of this opportunity.
Tax credit enables donors to contribute at a greatly reduced out-of-pocket expense. It is a way to redirect your tax dollars to a worthwhile project right here in the Ozarks. The mission of the Ozarks Small Business Incubator is to grow business and create jobs; so by donating to OzSBI you are investing in the economic development of our region.
OzSBI is opening in November with eight offices and an assortment of business support services serving Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright counties.
Entrepreneurs eager to start or grow a business should contact the Incubator at info@ozsbi.com or by contacting Director Toney Aid at 256-6487 or coordinator Heather Fisher at 293-1831.
OzSBI is now accepting applications for both tenant and non-tenant clients. Applications are available on the website at www.ozsbi.com or may be picked up at the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce.
