Northwest Technology Center's Small Business Incubator is housed at the Alva Campus. The new facility is currently equipped with five offices, a reception/waiting area and two manufacturing bays. The Incubator is certified by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce .

The Small Business Incubator's mission is to provide start up businesses with the business development services, such as financial consulting and marketing assistance which allow them to learn good business practices that aid in ensuring a more profitable and successful future.

The Incubator will be managed by Freelin Roberts, Northwest Technology Center Superintendent. For more information about the Incubator, contact Freelin Roberts at 580.327.2150.

Heating And Air Business Opens In NWTC's Small Business Incubator

It was a sad day, when a local heating and air service business closed earlier this year. However, with the hottest part of the year quickly approaching, we can all appreciate one of our community's newest businesses, Custom Air owned by Alan Whipple. Custom Air specializes in residential and light commercial heating and air. Whipple opened his business on a full time basis beginning in April. However, he worked part-time for six years in Texas.

Whipple and his wife, Mandy both grew up in the Waynoka area. She has worked for Chesapeake for about eleven years. Last summer they had an opportunity for her to take a job in the Waynoka facility. This gave them the chance to move their family closer to friends and relatives. In August of 2005, the family moved to Alva. They have two daughters, Kellie who is a sophomore at Alva High School and Jill who is in the fifth grade at Lincoln Elementary.

“I had to apply for a mechanical contractor's license in Oklahoma and I received that in October.” said Whipple. “I am certified in ground source, heat pump installation through the International Ground Source Heatpump Association at Oklahoma State University. I gained installation experience working two years for a Lennox dealer in Borger, Texas.”

Whipple stated that he specializes in residential and light commercial sales and service, he services all brands and sells and installs Carrier, Lennox, Philco and Armstrong.

“I have a sheet metal shop in the Business Incubator at Northwest Technology Center. I use the shop for building sheet metal plenums, and ducts as needed. I really enjoy the benefits that an incubator affords a new business including tax incentives, access to advice and expertise as my business grows and the great facility that I can utilize.” commented Whipple.

“Northwest Technology Center is proud to contribute to the economic development and future of Woods County by operating the small business incubator on our campus. It is my hope that the opening of this new business somewhat eases the pressure of finding a qualified person to service and install heating and air units.” stated Freelin Roberts, Northwest Technology Center's Superintendent.

Whipple is a graduate of Frank Phillips College in Borger. He completed two programs including Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Electrical Technology and originally received a Texas Contractor License in November of 2000.

“I start my day at 8:00 a.m. and have been busy most evenings. During the “mini” heat wave that we had a few weeks ago, I had many service and installation calls.” said Whipple. “In the future, I will be looking for someone to be an apprentice to train and learn about this business.”