Thanks to Bernadine Joselyn for the heads up on Grand Rapids co-working project. Here’s the news from Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce President, Bud Stone…
The Chamber is working with the Depot to create a shared professional work- space for business professionals. It will be located in the eastern one-third of the Depot in down town Grand Rapids. It is designed to meet the needs of microbusinesses, freelancers, home-office workers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, tech workers, writers, software engineers, web developers, consultants, designers, and other professionals whose work doesn’t fit into a normal office template. Co-workers receive access to a reliable office space with a unique modern community of professionals. Amenities will include High-speed wireless internet, good coffee, conference room, lounge areas, large windows and natural light, ample free parking, formal and informal networking opportunities, walking distance to neighborhood shops and restaurants, 24/7 key card access for full time members, lockable storage lockers and productive, functional, affordable working space. Shared work- space is a fairly new concept in the Grand Rapids Area. It takes the best elements of a coffee shop, (social, energetic, creative), and the best elements of a work-space (productive, functional, private) and combines them to give independent workers the chance to have their own, affordable work-space. There will be full time members with 24/7 access, part time members who may use the space a couple of times per week and social members who may want to use the space once or twice a month. Drop-ins will always be welcome. A decision to move forward with this innovative idea will be made within the next few weeks.
Bud is looking for local folks who might be interested in learning more, so if you fit the mold of the new model of mobile worker who needs a professional space to function and you are interested in exploring this creative opportunity, please contact the Chamber.
I think this is a great idea. Grand Rapids isn’t the first community in Grand Rapids to look into co-working centers. They seem to be popping up in several communities.