Ohio University alum Gary Little ’05MPA is Executive Director of the Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation.
Little earned a Master in Public Administration from the College of Arts & Sciences.
The Ohio Amish Country Bargain Hunter interviewed him about his roll as overseer of the Tolloty Technology Incubator in New Philadelphia, OH.
Gary Little describes one of his roles as executive director of the Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation as information provider, business supporter and traffic cop for the Tolloty Technology Incubator, set to open in mid-summer 2014. The incubator is the initial building planned for the Tuscarawas Regional Technology Park, adjacent to the Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia.
A resident of New Philadelphia with his wife, Christine, Little holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marietta College as well as a master’s degree in public administration from Ohio University. He has spent the bulk of his nearly 30 year career in the community economic development field and was integral in the success of a similar incubator program in Athens, Ohio through his previous role as president of the IT Alliance of Appalachian Ohio.
As an information provider, Little helps guide businesses interested in becoming tenants of the incubator through the application process. Currently, four businesses are undergoing reviews and hope to become tenants when the building becomes available for occupancy, targeted for late June/ early July 2014. Little coordinates with a team of successful business people throughout Tuscarawas County that support and review the applicants.
As a business supporter, he and his team take a close look at business plans and other documentation in order to provide good, practical advice to applicants. At times, Little and his team can determine if additional specific support activities are needed during the process. Resources like the Small Business Development Center, who will be relocating their offices to the Tolloty Technology Incubator when it opens, can be utilized at no cost to the applicants as well as advise those who decide that the incubator is not the right place for them and require information for alternative locations. His team members may also be able to provide additional support as future board members for start-ups or might continue to serve in an advisory/mentor capacity.
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