The Warren P. Williamson Jr. Fund of The Youngstown Foundation recently contributed $4,500 to the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI).  A portion of the funds will be used to establish The Learning Lab @ Semple, a training and networking suite at Semple Building which is located near YBI’s main incubating facility on W. Federal Street in Youngstown.  The Learning Lab @ Semple will offer technology courses, business development seminars and host networking events to support the Mahoning Valley’s entrepreneurial community.

“YBI provides invaluable assistance to its technology-based clients which includes entrepreneurial counseling and access to business development resources in a professional atmosphere,” states Julie Michael Smith, chief development officer of YBI.  “YBI is committed to creating a venue where it can assist even more entrepreneurs with valuable educational and networking opportunities that are critical to their success.”

“The Youngstown Business Incubator has become one of the Valley’s most valuable assets for economic development,” states Janice E. Strasfeld, executive director of The Youngstown Foundation which administers the Williamson Fund. “The Learning Lab @ Semple will create another tool to help Mahoning Valley entrepreneurs accelerate.”