BELLINGHAM - A pair of economic development groups are establishing a center to help businesses get through the start-up stage.

BIG Idea Lab, which helps high-tech startups, and the local Technology Alliance Group are moving into the fifth floor of the Crown Plaza building at 114 W. Magnolia St. to form the Bellingham Entrepreneurship Center.

The Bellingham Angels investment group also will be involved, while other local economic groups have expressed interest in also moving in, said Tyler Byrd, who helps run BIG Idea Lab and operates the marketing firm Red Rokk Interactive.

Red Rokk, along with the high-tech firm Action Sprout, are also moving into the fifth floor, which has about 4,000 square feet of space.

While staying focused on high-tech start-up development, the center will assist other start-up businesses, Byrd said. He added that the extra space is also good for Red Rokk, which is in a growth mode.

Shawn Kemp, who also helps with BIG Idea Lab and operates Action Sprout, said they hope the space will allow entrepreneurs to connect and feed off each other with ideas and energy.

"Together we are growing new, scalable businesses right in the heart of Bellingham and will continue to invest in strengthening the startup community," Kemp said.

For details on the BIG Idea Lab, visit bellinghaminnovationgroup.com. For details on TAG, visit tagnw.org.

Reach Business Editor Dave Gallagher at 360-715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com. Read his business blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldbiz.