With the recent opening of 8HUB in Malvern and the forthcoming nth Innovation Center in Coatesville, Chester County Economic Development Council Vice President Patrick Hayakawa says the county is primed for economic growth, writes Michael Butler for Technical.ly Philly.

“Both of these projects, nth Innovation Center and 8HUB, are physical, tangible signs of the progress that Chester County innovation economy has made in the last year,” said Hayakawa.

8HUB will provide space to life science startups, while the nth Innovation Center will focus on technology companies. Together, these two hubs will offer more than 50,000 square feet of space for innovation, potentially drawing more than 50 tenants to the tax advantage zones.

The innovation hubs will also provide tangible economic opportunities for local communities. For example, Exton-based nth Solutions already has a paid internship program for students from local high schools that offers them tracks for engineering or marketing. There is also a program devoted to enabling local youth to explore STEM careers.

“It’s that foot in the door that we want everyone to have,” said Hayakawa.

Read more about the importance of the innovation hubs at Technical.ly Philly here.