New Rochelle, Iona Partner On Downtown Hub For Small Businesses

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle and Iona University have announced a partnership to create a new Economic and Small Business Development Hub in downtown New Rochelle, an effort the city said is meant to expand support for entrepreneurs, residents and businesses looking to start or grow locally.

The hub will be established at 10 Church Street, and completion and an official opening are slated for fall, with initial community engagement efforts anticipated to launch this summer.

Iona University's Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation will serve as the hub's day-to-day operator. The city said the initiative is part of its broader economic development strategy, the Vanguard Initiative, which remains focused on public realm and accessibility improvements, retail enhancements, fast-track zoning and creative tenant incentives throughout the city.

The city said it selected Iona University as its implementation partner for the Vanguard Initiative because of the university's entrepreneurship program. Under the partnership, the Hynes Institute will bring professional support and organizational expertise to New Rochelle’s business community, with aid from Iona faculty and staff and experiential learning opportunities for students.

"Small businesses and entrepreneurs are central to New Rochelle’s identity, and the City is steadfast in our commitment to providing the tools needed for long-term success," said Adam Salgado, New Rochelle Commissioner of Development. "By partnering with Iona University's Hynes Institute, we're connecting that local energy with academic expertise and real-world support – creating a more coordinated, responsive system that helps businesses start, grow, and adapt over time. This is about building the infrastructure needed to create lasting economic vitality and guarantee that as New Rochelle continues to evolve, our local business community advances with it."

The hub is expected to take what the announcement described as an adaptive, community-informed approach to programming. Once operational, dedicated staff will work directly with entrepreneurs, small business owners and prospective businesses seeking to establish themselves in New Rochelle to provide guidance, identify priorities and connect them with free services and resources.

Potential offerings include business counseling and technical assistance, educational workshops, support for storefront improvements, business enhancement efforts, and marketing and operational guidance. Organizers said the hub is intended to complement, rather than duplicate, existing resources while serving as a platform for entrepreneurship and workforce development opportunities.

"We are excited to partner with the City of New Rochelle to build a central resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses that strengthens the city's economic future," said Christoph Winkler, Founding Director of the Hynes Institute said. "The Hub will leverage Iona’s expertise to provide practical support that helps businesses launch, grow, and thrive. At the same time, it will create valuable opportunities for our students to engage in applied work that delivers real impact for the local business community."

Iona University is currently recruiting for a manager to lead the day-to-day operations of the hub and a coordinator to support program delivery and operations.