Our History

The Dixie Business Development Center (DBDC), located in Denham Springs, Louisiana, was founded by DEMCO (Dixie Electric Membership Corporation) in 1992.   It was created as a response to the economic downturn in the 1980s oil industry, with the goal of fostering local business growth and diversification. 

 

• Establishment (1992-1993): DEMCO, a non-profit electric cooperative formed in 1938, established the center to aid the local community, using their former facility as the foundation.

• Purpose: The center was designed as a business incubator, one of the few in the country sponsored by a utility company, to provide affordable space, counseling, and resources to startups.

• Expansion: The DBDC grew from an initial 8,000 square feet to a 50,000-square-foot facility, including a 25,000-square-foot building added to accommodate manufacturing and warehouse space.

• Impact: Since its founding, hundreds of businesses have been supported, with over 40 businesses graduating in the first nine years, generating $11.6 million in annual sales and creating over 300 jobs.

• Resources Provided: The center offers tenants flexible leases, utilities, and guidance on marketing, business, and financing.

• Today: The DBDC continues to operate as a hub for entrepreneurs in Denham Springs, with recent focus on technology and, for instance, supporting AI-driven startups. 

About DEMCO (The Founder and Sponsor):
DEMCO is a Louisiana-based electric cooperative established in 1938 that serves over 116,000+ meters across seven parishes. It is a not-for-profit entity owned by its members, which allows it to invest in community-strengthening initiatives like the DBDC.