FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2023 Contact Information: Marquas Ashworth, Center at Sixth Marqaus.ashworth@gmail.com 515-865-0244 Planned Des Moines Small Business Market, Incubator Receives $700,000 from Wells Fargo Foundation DES MOINES, IOWA – The Center at Sixth, a planned market and incubator for small businesses owned by underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs, has received $700,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation. To date, the grant is the largest commitment from a private foundation to the project. Construction at 1714 Sixth Avenue in Des Moines is underway and will be completed in fall 2024. The building will have 9,000 square feet of commercial space, including an indoor market where shoppers can buy products directly from the small business tenants. Tenants will sell an array of goods, including food and beverages prepared in an on-site commercial kitchen. The building will also have learning and event space as well as six live/work apartments. The Wells Fargo Foundation grant brings Center at Sixth developer Ashworth Development within reach of its capital goal. “Wells Fargo understands our vision for the Center at Sixth and has stepped up to help make it a reality,” said Marquas Ashworth, president, Ashworth Development. In recognition of its donation, the Center at Sixth will grant Wells Fargo naming rights to the market space within the building. “We’re so excited about the Center at Sixth — we only wish it was open right now for holiday shopping,” said Laura Howe, regional banking executive, Wells Fargo. “Small businesses add life and joy to our neighborhoods, and as the Bank of Doing, we’re committed to helping them succeed financially.” While fundraising for the incubator, Center at Sixth organizers have already begun supporting entrepreneurs. Center at Sixth staff and coaches from the Evelyn K. Davis Center helped baker Blandine Nadia Ahissou find commercial kitchen space, sell her goods at the Downtown Farmer’s Market and eventually move into a storefront. Nadia’s French Bakery is set to open at 2705 Grand Avenue in Des Moines in January. “Nadia’s is an example of what we’re hoping to achieve with the Center at Sixth, but in greater numbers,” Ashworth said. “Having kitchen and retail space in one location will make it possible for us to help more people turn ideas into viable businesses.” The name of the Center at Sixth is a tribute to the former Center Street business district, which was the heart of Des Moines’ black small business community until it was destroyed by the construction of Interstate 235 in the late 1950s. For continued updates on the Center at Sixth, please visit facebook.com/Center-at-Sixth. ### 33
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