History

In 1987, the University of North Alabama's Industrial Development Research and Extension Center proposed to establish a business incubator. The Center would own and operate a business incubator facility, maintain a business management library, and offer advice and training in business subjects to entrepreneurs. In 1992, through the efforts of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, the University of North Alabama, and the Shoals Economic Development Authority as well as numerous other local organizations and community leaders the Shoals Entrepreneurial Center (SEC) opened the Northington Court Complex in Florence, Alabama.

In 1997, a satellite incubator was opened in Sheffield, Alabama to accommodate new businesses in Colbert County. In 2007, a portion of this facility was converted into a digital arts incubator, Digital Arts Shoals (DASH). With the technological changes in the music and film industry the Shoals area of northwest Alabama (the Florence/Muscle Shoals metro area) has positioned itself as a digital media center for the state and beyond. The businesses and occupations associated with digital media are predominately small, often one or two person operations. More than others, they need support in training and opportunities to learn cutting edge software and methods. The DASH project provides that support as well as training to high school and college students, giving them a jump start as they begin their careers.

In 2001, the SEC Culinary Complex opened in Florence, Alabama as a
result of a partnership effort with United States Department of Agriculture,
the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the
Florence City School System and the Shoals Chanber of Commerce. The
Culinary Complex is a principal component of the SEC. The function of
the Culinary Complex is to provide a shared commercial kitchen for any
entrepreneur seeking to begin a food production business. It is equipped
for that purpose and is the only shared commercial kitchen in Alabama.

In 2004 the Jerry W. Davis Complex for Manufacturing opened in Florence. This location provides facilities to new or existing small manufacturing and distribution businesses. This 43,000 square foot facility supplements and complements existing SEC incubators.

SEC facilities provide the Shoals area with a complete incubator network consisting of a multi-use incubator, a manufacturing/distribution incubator, a digital arts incubator, and a shared commercial kitchen.