Noblesville Common Council President
By now you undoubtedly have heard the term “co-working space.” A space/building/facility/location designed to allow start-up organizations and working professionals to work in an open space and share ideas and network with one another. The idea is popping up all over Indiana and we are even seeing it here in Noblesville with the recent opening of “The Outhouse.” This concept really originated just south of Noblesville with Launch Fishers, which was started many years ago. It has since helped to inspire launch-type facilities all over Indiana as well as a statewide initiative, Launch Indiana.
While this may seem like a new “craze,” there really is much more to this concept. Many successful companies started as small start-ups. One or two entrepreneurs got together and hatched up an idea, often in their basement, and then worked for years to grow a successful company. Co-working space allows those entrepreneurs a location to work and grow their business, while sharing ideas with other working professionals. Many small companies do not want the hassle of their own office space and all the overhead that comes with it. A co-working space allows them to pay a small fee and work in a common space with common shared equipment.
One of the most important aspects of co-working space is the ability to attract and retain talent right here in Noblesville. While not every community may need a full-blown “launch” concept, every community needs a space for entrepreneurs to practice their craft. A space to share ideas with like-minded business professionals. Any community that is not thinking about ways to keep their talent pool local is missing a major opportunity.
So, while “co-working space” may seem like a new buzzword, let’s not be fooled. This craze is here to stay and is vital to the future of any community, Noblesville included.