Think Big Partners is thrilled to see CoJoe open its doors to the community this week. Located in historic downtown of St. Joseph, Missouri, this new coworking space will be a beating heart of entrepreneurship activity, facilitated connections and lively business network in a growing town. Involved from the beginning, Think Big conducted a market feasibility assessment in late 2016 for the Saint Joseph Chamber of Commerce based on goals of economic growth, company attraction and talent retention. The results of that study have led to this first phase launch of CoJoe, a community-run space, overseen by the chamber. Coworking spaces serve multiple purposes in cities, to include economic development, and we are anxious to see the impact that CoJoe will have on St. Joseph’s business scene and connectivity of its local community.
If you’re in Kansas City or St. Joseph area, we encourage you to attend the open house to check out the CoJoe space on Wednesday, January 31 from 4-6pm at 518 Felix Street. Learn more about the space and its operators in CoJoe’s recent press release below.
COWORKING SPACE PLANS TO OPEN IN ST. JOSEPH
ST. JOSEPH, MO – The wishes of area entrepreneurs are finally being granted with the planned opening of CoJoe, an innovative co-working space located in historic downtown St. Joseph. The fully-functional workspace is designed to be shared by entrepreneurs, freelancers, start-ups and remote workers who understand the value of community and collaboration.
“To have a growing local economy you must have a vibrant entrepreneurial culture,” said R. Patt Lilly, President and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, which spear-headed the CoJoe endeavor. “The co-working space provides the environment and connectivity to support and grow entrepreneurs in St. Joseph.”
CoJoe is located on the first floor of 518 Felix St. Besides the Chamber’s leadership, a group of local entrepreneurs, small business owners and officials from Missouri Western State University’s Craig School of Business, the City of St. Joseph and Innovation Stockyard have been involved in CoJoe’s planning.
“In 2014, St. Joseph was named No. 5 in the nation for startups by the U.S. Census Bureau,” said Kristie Arthur, Director of Workforce Development for the Chamber. “We’ve been researching ways to bring a coworking space to St. Joseph ever since and are happy that it’s about to open.”
Many cities similar in size to St. Joseph have coworking spaces, which have been used as a guide. CoJoe gives entrepreneurs an alternative to the distractions of working at home or a public space, as well as the logistics of maintaining a private office. It also gives mobile workers independence they value at an affordable price with additional benefits like:
- An attractive, clean, quiet and professional space to work, facilitate meetings and host clients
- A place to participate in a work community, where cooperation replaces competition
- High-speed internet, copy machine, comfortable seating, kitchenette and lots of coffee (to name just a few perks).
Space is offered for rent in a variety of ways like table space in an open coworking space or private, furnished offices on a month-to-month or more long-term basis. A conference room also is available to rent by the hour or by the day for important meetings.
An opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 31. Tours are available upon request. For more information, e-mail cojoe@saintjoseph.com or call (816) 364-4115.
