A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m., at the Virginia Innovation Accelerator in Buena Vista to celebrate the completion of Phase 2 of the redevelopment of the former Mundet-Hermetite factory building.
Tomorrow’s celebration, at the accelerator facility at 245 W. 21st St., will feature tours, a grand opening of the new marketplace and stories from entrepreneurs whose businesses are growing through the VIA.
Over the past three years, The Advancement Foundation has raised $2.5 million to reactivate this 40,000-square-foot manufacturing space “catalyzing entrepreneurship, economic development and community revitalization,” said a spokesperson.
The facility is a hub “for innovation, growth and community.” The newly renovated building “features multiple dynamic spaces designed to support early-stage and high-growth companies.” There’s the Junction 245 Marketplace, Café & Taproom with a fully equipped commercial kitchen for food-based ventures.
There are dedicated business acceleration and coworking spaces, manufacturing bays designed for prototyping and scaling production. The facility is also to be the future home of the Buena Vista Visitor Center, which will be relocated there in the months ahead.
“Together, these spaces form a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access programming, resources, equipment, space and mentorship,” said the spokesperson.
