Fairhopians want to keep their town small and Hatch Fairhope helps with that by allowing local-based tech entrepreneurs to use their space as an incubator to develop responsible and sustainable solutions. New companies concerned with ESG (environment, social and governance) promoted by Hatch provide a great addition to the area without infringing on development as they take up no space using Hatch as a workspace. Hatch empowers new tech incubators toward sustainability and more.

Sustainability may include being ‘green’, conserving resources, striving for a low carbon footprint or net zero emissions and social issues such as safety, human rights and diversity. Basically, being concerned about people and the planet in addition to profits. As of right now, there are no set measures for companies who seek to be ‘sustainable’.

Enter ESG. It has a specific set of criteria for environmental, social and governance issues. The ESG pillars measure performance which points to the interlinked aspects of social, technological, political, environmental and economic actions of a business:

E – Environment: How a company manages environmental impact considering the far-reaching consequences on society and the planet.

S – Social: How a company fosters its people and contributes to inclusive growth.

G – Governance: Delineates how a company can remain compliant, ensuring transparency and best practices and converse with regulators by using an internal system of controls, practices and procedures to govern and make effective decisions.

Because Hatch provides the consulting services to help businesses become sustainable under ESG, local businesses are growing and thriving. “Thank you, Rick Miller! Hatch Fairhope has been an amazing resource for Motive,” says Kai Gray, CEO of Motive, a company that was launched with the help of Hatch Fairhope and provides sustainability as a business strategy.

 Currently located in the PNC Bank building, Hatch Fairhope’s business resource hub for technology-based entrepreneurs in Baldwin County is about to expand. Reconstruction to the K-1 Center and Hatch Fairhope will start in the fall of 2022 and be completed in 2024 thanks to a grant funded by the Economic Development Administration’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, according to Rick Miller, Owner of Pro356 Consulting and Executive Director of Hatch Business Incubator. He says, “Isn’t it cool that we have a 1921 façade that will now house a 21st Century technology development center? We see Hatch’s focus sustaining the quality of life we enjoy here on the Eastern Shore.”

With the renovations, the K-1 Center and Hatch Fairhope will be a spacious area for the community workforce to gather and employ state-of-the-art business planning practices, providing opportunity for businesses to focus on sustainable practices with a technology slant, IP and technology review and collaboration processes, high-speed internet and workspace opportunities, corporate partnering for marketing, research and manufacturing, and national talent and resources.

“As an educational asset to our community, the K-1 Center and Hatch Fairhope will continue the building’s historic legacy by educating and supporting entrepreneurs in Baldwin County,” said Sherry Sullivan, mayor of Fairhope.

Location: Hatch Fairhope, 36 N Section St., Fairhope, AL. See HatchFairhope.com or call 251-270-2670.