Medplast explored as potential innovation space

     Several movers, shakers, and influencers came together last week at the former Medplast facility on 11^th Street in Monticello to discuss the potential for such a facility, which encompasses 89,000 square feet.

     Joe Ertl of Dyersville purchased the facility in February with no real plans for the future of the building. So, on Tuesday, March 10, he brought local and regional leaders together to brainstorm some ideas and tour the possibilities.

     Those present included city and county officials, and representatives from the EXCEL Center in Monticello, Kirkwood, F&M Bank, Orbis, Jackson County Economic Alliance, and from the Creative Adventure Lab in Dubuque.

     Ultimately, Ertl felt the facility would be perfectly suited for small start-up businesses, area entrepreneurs, and those needing space for a one-person operation.

     “It’s nothing new to me to help other businesses get started,” Ertl said. “This is a nice situation for an incubator, for people to hatch a small business.”

     Inside there is room for up to 20 offices, as well as space for small manufacturers, and warehouse space.

     Ralph Kluseman, business counselor with Northeast Iowa SBDC (Small Business Development Center), was also present. He’s been in contact with Ertl and both, along with the Creative Adventure Lab in Dubuque, envision establishing start-up centers in communities such as Monticello, Maquoketa, Cascade, Manchester and Dyersaville.

     “There’s the possibility of doing this in every county in Iowa,” said Ertl. “I hope to achieve this and help others fulfill their American dream.”

     Kluseman said the Adventure Lab has seen “tremendous potential” with its concept, not to mention growth. Kluseman does a lot of work at the Creative Lab counseling start-up businesses.

     Jordan DeGree, executive director, and Eric Dregne, director of business innovation, at the Adventure Lab said after opening in 2008, they’ve since changed their model and way of doing business.

     The Lab first opened in ’08 as a way to offer hands-on, informal learning experiences after school for youth. After a goal-planning session in 2016, they learned there were other needs out there in the greater Dubuque area for adults.

     “We were doing some visioning work. What do we want our impact to be long term,” said DeGree. “What came out of it was disappointing, but also created an opening for the opportunity that has taken us to where we are now.

     “What we realized is if we’re really trying to use creativity and innovation to create value for our community, our ultimate goal is not necessarily giving kids and families these creative experiences within our facility. How can we help more people be creative and innovative outside of our facility? Specifically, how can we help adults in their regular lives use creativity and innovation to create value for their families, communities, and the businesses they work for?”

     After moving into a new facility, the Lab got to work hiring Dregne and establishing that true Innovation Lab.

     “We spent the first year of Eric’s job going out and talking to members of the community about innovation and how it could help them achieve their goals. We talked to area businesses, schools, and entrepreneurs. We interviewed and had conversations with four-dozen stakeholders during that year,” explained DeGree.

     They narrowed hundreds of ideas down to just three focuses: co-worker space, entrepreneur support services, and innovation services for existing businesses and community organizations.

     “The Innovation Lab officially launched in October 2018, and that’s what we continue to do today,” said DeGree.

     After 16 months, they’ve served 40 entrepreneurs and now want to duplicate their programming and operation system in rural towns like Monticello.

     “We provide facilitated innovation services to help businesses development new programs, new products, and new services, work on recruitment and retention of their workforce,” added McGree. “We’re hoping to get some rural innovation labs up and running potentially this summer.”

     Ideally, the Creative Lab is looking for 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, as well as Main Street space for co-working opportunities.

     “Having a large-scale incubator like this, our programs can support that and work nicely,” praised McGree of Ertl’s concept for the former Medplast facility.

     McGree said the Lab could easily partner with the EXCEL Center for collaborative programming in Monticello.

     Many admitted to not knowing much about the EXCEL Center, Cammie Greif and Lisa Stadtmueller shared some of the educational and entrepreneurial programs and partnerships the EXCEL Center has done recently.

     “This gives people a chance to get started without having to spend thousands of dollars,” Kluseman said of the facility and people at the table.

     He said keeping young people in their communities is a good thing.

     Dregne said more than anything, entrepreneurs need space to show up to work and to be found by the public rather than working from home.

     “They can meet other entrepreneurs and find services that support them,” he said. “They’ll be able to connect with others.”

     “People want to seek their American dream without having to borrow money and go into bankruptcy,” added Ertl. “People want to succeed in what they’re doing.”

     Ertl said ideally, small businesses could start here and grow and move out into space of their own.

     City Administrator Doug Herman said it’s always difficult for people, especially young people, to get their foot in the door when starting a business or going into business for themselves.

     Ertl said he wants to put some feelers out there to see the level of interest in the area. A lot of physical interior work is needed inside the facility beforehand.

     “We have to do a lot of renovations,” he said as people took a tour.

     Greif expressed her biggest concern in filling a space of this magnitude: “Do we have enough of a population to keep this alive? I don’t think the mass is here.”

     Scott Swenson with Kirkwood SBDC said this project could go regional, beyond just those in Monticello.

     For serious inquiries into the former Medplast space at 205 W. 11^th St., you can contact Ertl at jertl@scalemodeltoys.com or at 563-875-2436. For help with small business development, contact Kluseman at klusemanr@nicc.edu or Swenson at scott.swenson@kirkwood.edu.