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The center, which opened in 2006, provides a setting for smaller businesses that can't afford to lease standard commercial space.

Businesses can lease space at the center for about $1.75 per square foot. Most of the amenities and services - including Internet, fax, mail service, conference rooms, onsite educational courses, access to venture capital groups and legal, marketing and accounting counseling are included in the lease.

The Digital Media Center can house 10 to 12 companies.

It currently houses about five startups including Rcampus.com, a unit of Irvine-based Reazon Systems Inc. geared toward teachers who need to manage their courses, portfolios and other education tools on the Internet.

There's also Abroad-casting Co., which is developing a technology to stream live television over the Internet, and Melrok Corp., a provider of engineering services and developer of wireless sensor modules.

The center wants to attract companies in the technology and digital media sectors, according to director Gustavo Chamorro.

But qualifying for space at the center is competitive, Chamorro said.

The Retailer and the Recession

High-end women's clothing retailer Pink Mascara is making a push to sell clothes overseas as it navigates its way through the recession.