Patton Block Center to Become a Reality

After months of hard work in both the public and private sectors, the Patton Block Center looks to become a reality. Early this week, the historic building was purchased and phase one of the financing needed to bring the high-tech incubator to Monmouth was secured.

The goal of the Patton Block Center (PBC) is to foster the growth of a "knowledge-based" professional community in Monmouth. The PBC will create an incubator-like environment to recruit 3-5 new businesses to the area as members of the center. As an incubator, the PBC will provide fully renovated office suites, core business services, high-speed Internet and business training. The PBC will also feature a "two-way street" technology education center for both member businesses and the community at large.

Moving beyond the services of a standard business incubator, the PBC is focused on a specific industry: software development within computer entertainment industry. To this end, the PBC will be able to provide limited venture capital, industry representation to publishers and help finding any needed talent.

"Most people don't know it," says Paul Schuytema, director of the Patton Block Center, "but the computer entertainment industry...computer games, video games and the like...it's a bigger industry that all of Hollywood and all of the movie rentals combined."

The push for the incubator evolved in early 2000 with discussions between Schuytema and Monmouth alderman Robin Johnson. Since then, Schuytema has worked with Johnson and Mayor Shawn Gillen to put the word out and garner support for the project.

"It's amazing the support we've received," says Schuytema. "Shawn and I have hit the road and presented our idea far and wide across the state, and there is almost a universal 'a-ha' when they see how we can transform the best assets of Monmouth into a great place for hi-tech development. We hope this to be a model program that other small towns in Illinois can learn from and create their own unique variations"

"We couldn't have come as far as we have without the help of the city or the local banks. It was their enthusiasm and teamwork that helped us to assemble this first and essential phase of financing," concludes Schuytema.

Renovation is set to begin on the PBC this spring, with the marketing and recruitment plan kicking off in early February. Already, the web-site is under development, and the center has already received national media attention.

Back 01.10.2000.