The Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is proud to celebrate its five-year anniversary, marking a milestone that highlights both its transformative impact on the local business community and the collaborative vision that brought it to life.
Since opening its doors in 2021, the Cabarrus Center has grown into a dynamic hub for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses—connecting individuals with the resources, mentorship, and programming needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses The anniversary celebration recognizes not only the Center’s success, but also the partnerships and perseverance that made it possible.
The Center was originally conceived to solve a long-standing challenge in Cabarrus County: a fragmented network of entrepreneurial resources that left many aspiring business owners unsure where to begin. By bringing key organizations—including the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Cabarrus Chamber, Flywheel Foundation, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center—together under one roof, the Center created a unified, easy-to-navigate ecosystem for business support.
“We had really great resources in Cabarrus County,” said former Cabarrus EDC Executive Director Page Castrodale, “but they weren’t connected, and so if you were someone who wanted to start a business, there was confusion about where to go, and the resources were spread out across the county.”
Developed in partnership with Flywheel, an organization known for building and operating entrepreneurship centers, the Cabarrus Center has distinguished itself through its robust programming.
“We also have a nonprofit arm, the Flywheel Foundation, that focuses on entrepreneurship programming,” said Peter Marsh, Founding Partner of Flywheel. “That includes workshops, seminars, accelerators, corporate innovation challenges, and even investment funds and grants.”
Located in revitalized historic buildings in downtown Concord, the Cabarrus Center has also played a key role in the area’s broader economic and cultural renewal. Its success has been fueled by strong collaboration among local leaders, investment from local governments and the Cannon Foundation, and the region’s growing population and talent base.
As the Cabarrus Center looks ahead to the next five years, its mission remains clear: to foster innovation, support entrepreneurs at every stage, and continue building a vibrant, connected business community.
Interested in learning more or seeing the space? A special anniversary celebration is planned on May 7, 2026, from 4–6 pm. RSVP online at www.flywheelconcord.com/events.
