The City of Tigard, in partnership with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), is recruiting for their collaborative equity-focused business incubator, the Opportunity Café, located at the Tigard Public Library.
The Opportunity Café provides new entrepreneurs critical ingredients like space, initially reduced rent, access to customers, and business coaching to start their business under a two-year lease. The 400 square foot micro -café, located in the Tigard Public Library lobby (13500 SW Hall), is a key asset in reducing start-up costs and removing barriers for firsttime entrepreneurs. It also gives Tigard Public Library patrons one of their most requested library amenities — a café.
The City of Tigard leases the café space to Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO). MESO selects a tenant for the space from their network of socially and economically undercapitalized entrepreneurs. Every two years a new business is selected to run the Opportunity Cafe. The entrepreneur-in-residence receives one-on-one business advising from Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon and access to the City of Tigard business support programs, while learning how to run a business and perfect their craft.
“The Opportunity Café is a one-of-a-kind economic development collaboration that rewards Tigard with the brilliance of undiscovered entrepreneurs,” said Kenny Asher, Community Development Director for the City of Tigard. “ The program supports these emerging small businesses, but honestly the city is an equal or greater beneficiary.”The first entrepreneur-in-residence at the Opportunity Café, Israel Martinez, opened El Cuadrilátero at the Library in September of 2021. Mr. Martinez has grown his business, invested in equipment, and in September 2023, expects to move into a food truck he plans to purchase with a loan from MESO.
“Israel has been a fabulous addition to the Tigard Public Library,” said Halsted Bernard, Tigard Public Library Director. “Patrons and the Library team love what he offers and his friendly approach. It’s exciting to see him grow his business and take the next step.”
This is the first time the City of Tigard and MESO have attempted to refill this business incubator with a new entrepreneur. Interested candidates can learn more, talk with a MESO advisor, and apply for this opportunity at https://www.mesopdx.org/opportunity-cafe.
The City expects a new entrepreneur will start their business in this space in fall of 2023.
