Barbecue, apple pie and South Dallas Industrial Park businesses &045;&045; all three came together Tuesday at the park’s annual tenant meeting.

According to Brenda Tuck &045;&045; administrative assistant for Pioneer Electric’s &uot;The Innovation Centre&uot; &045;&045;, businesses and individuals renting space at the center or the park gather every year for food and news.

Businesses such as Rayco and American Gum Company sat down for lunch and updates on each business. Tuck also shared her own updates with the crowd &045;&045; about 20 people.

Among Tuck’s subjects for discussion were community renewal credits. The credits offer incentives to businesses within certain areas &045;&045; Dallas County included.

Tuck also answered questions from those gathered about new developments. One question Tuck fielded concerned a railroad spur into the park. The spur is

scheduled to open soon, but probably not within the 60-day period some renters have asked about.

Tuck also said Pioneer Electric was working on having a high-speed Internet connection installed. She said the connection should be operational soon.

Tuck also shared information Tuesday about her new job. Tuck will relocate to Greenville, but will still be employed by Pioneer Electric. She will continue her administrative assistant duties, but in a different capacity.

The Innovation Centre is similar to a small business incubator, but with a twist, according to Tuck. True small business incubators assist business owners in their first years of operation. Over time, the incubators wean business owners until they are completely self-sufficient.

The Innovation Centre, instead of helping businesses leave Dallas County, instead wants them to stay, Tuck said.

Tuck said The Innovation Centre wouldn’t exist without Pioneer Electric, Wallace Community College and State Sen. Hank Sanders, who has assisted the center secure funding.