Power Up Spartanburg announces new small business retail and restaurant incubator
June 25, 2026
Power Up Spartanburg announced a small business retail and restaurant incubator will be built along the Mary Black Rail Trail in Spartanburg.
Strategically located at 351 E. Henry St., near the Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA, the incubator will be a small business and entrepreneurial hub developed to provide affordable commercial space, business support, mentoring services, and more to small business owners seeking to start, grow, and scale their businesses.
“Access to commercial space is one of the greatest barriers facing many small business owners. The incubator will create a dedicated space where entrepreneurs, start-ups, and emerging business owners can build a customer base, strengthen their operations and business practices, and grow in a supportive, community-driven environment,” said OneSpartanburg, Inc. Vice President of Small & Minority Business Development Jay Jenkins.
The project is being developed through a partnership between Power Up Spartanburg, OneSpartanburg, Inc., the City of Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and private-sector partners Joseph McMillin and Clay McDonough.
Joseph McMillin is helping lead development of the project. Clay McDonough will serve as general manager for the project during and after construction.
Once complete, the small business incubator will feature 9 container-style commercial units providing dedicated space for participating small business owners. The spaces will be professionally designed to serve as a permanent space.
Along with the space, businesses selected for the incubator will have access to the resources and support network of Power Up Spartanburg.
Applications to be one of the 9 businesses to have space at the small business incubator remain open through July 10, and can be found at this link.
Once an application is submitted, it will be evaluated on viability, growth potential, and if the business would fit within the incubator’s mission and available space. From there, a group of applicants will interview with a committee before tenants are selected and enter into occupancy agreements.
Power Up Spartanburg will host informational sessions on the small business incubator at the following dates and times:
- 11:30 AM-12:30 PM on Mon., June 29
- 4-5 PM on Tue., July 7
Information will also be available on request from interested small business owners.
Construction has already begun, with site preparation ongoing now. The finished project is expected to open in late fall.
About OneSpartanburg, Inc.
OneSpartanburg, Inc. aims to make Spartanburg County the most opportunity-rich place in America by advancing bold business, economic, talent, and tourism development initiatives that position Spartanburg for generational success.
About Power Up Spartanburg
Power Up Spartanburg, an initiative of OneSpartanburg, Inc. and Spartanburg County, is a movement to transform Spartanburg County into the top place in the U.S. to start, run, and grow a small business.
