Over the past few months there has been a good bit of talk about regional economic development in the New River Valley. There are organizations that have been working on it for decades like the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance. Anne Clelland of Handshake 2.0 has also been discussing a vision for development on her site.
So does coworking have a place in the discussion?
Yes. In so many ways, but let’s take a look at three specifically.
1. Drawing People to Town
As it stands now the telecommuters and entrepreneurs are scattered all over the valley. Some find office space, others coffee shops and others stay at home.
Creating a space for these people to interact and work can draw people from around the area into one place. More traffic, more eyes, more money flowing into the surrounding businesses.
One member wants a coffee to start the day, another to break up the morning, and yet another walks to the near by restaurant at lunch to meet with a client. People who might have stayed at home that day, or gone to the McDonald’s down the street.
2. Cross Pollination of Ideas
While everyone is in one place, or at least frequenting one place, ideas spread rapidly and grow. A new business, product, or service to the community can be born out of ideas that might have died or been lost in solitude.
A strategic partnership between two people or businesses that would not have normally crossed paths. A referral that becomes a web of referrals that grows everyone’s business, increasing tax revenue and spending in the region.
As more people do well with more businesses around us we all benefit, much like the old saying a raising tide lifts all ships.
3. Entering the Region into an International Discussion
The coworking movement is a truly international movement. With over 400 communities around the world and more opening almost daily.
Several large cities and regional communities have been discussing coworking from New York City to Fort Wayne, TX and on. The idea has been discussed in major publications and local news around the globe. I have a small collection of these discussions and spaces here.
The New River Valley has a chance to welcome coworkers from around the world through and to our area and attract new talent to our businesses that are familiar with the concept from their current cities.
An entrepreneur in every garage? Sure, but wouldn’t offering a location and community to those entrepreneurs, telecommuters and other independent workers be an amazing way to help us all grow our businesses and this community?
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
