Chamber of Greater Easthampton to Hold Open House and Ribbon Cutting for WorkHub The on Union

EASTHAMPTON, Mass., August 27, 2024 – The Chamber of Greater Easthampton is excited to announce the official launch of its WorkHub on Union project with an Open House and Ribbon Cutting on September 20, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the 33 Union Street, Easthampton space. The Ribbon Cutting and Open House will celebrate the completion of the Chamber’s ambitious co-workspace project to support the development of a vibrant and collaborative co-working space, providing valuable resources for entrepreneurs, and businesses in the Greater Easthampton region.
 
WorkHub on Union is an innovative and inspiring environment where entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners can converge and thrive, offering support and services to local professionals, foster entrepreneurial growth, and stimulate economic development in the community. In addition to offering a dynamic and flexible workspace, the WorkHub on Union will provide access to mentorship programs, networking events, educational programming and other support services from the Chamber designed to accelerate the growth of startups and small business.
 
WorkHub on Union was a collaborative project funded both privately and publicly. Along with $100,000 in state funding secured by Senator Job Velis and Representative Dan Carey*, the project was awarded a Collaborative Workspace Program Fit-Out Grant for $50,000. This was the second grant the Chamber received for this project from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Collaborative Workspace Grant Program administered by MassDevelopment. In addition, the project received major financial support from SourcePass, FiveStar Building Corp., Daily Hampshire Gazette and bankESB, along with funding support from numerous other corporations and individuals within the community.
 
“The fact that we could bring together dozens of partners at both the state and local levels, raising nearly $500,000 to bring this project to fruition, is a clear indication of the value WorkHub on Union will bring to our community and the local economy,” said Chamber Executive Director Moe Belliveau.

In 2020, the Chamber partnered with the City of Easthampton and the Chamber to undertake an extensive analysis of the city’s economic climate relative to entrepreneurialism and innovation. This analysis revealed that businesses would choose to “relocate or to locate in Easthampton if a supportive entrepreneurial community could be better enhanced and marketed.” The analysis also showed that there are more than 13,000 companies in the region that are less than one year old, many of which have no employees and operate from a kitchen table. Over the past three decades, these types of companies have created an average of 1.5 million jobs per year. The study went on to say, “It's simple: The more contacts entrepreneurs can make early in the life of their companies – that is, the more help and information they can access – the greater their chances of getting products developed, finding viable markets, surviving the first years, and growing toward success.”
 
From this information, the vision for WorkHub on Union was borne. “Led by our local general contracting partner Five Star Building Corp., our economic and community development vision was to take our existing building at 33 Union Street, redesign the space, re-imagine its use and renovate its interior to create a unique co-working space which will serve our community now and well into the future,” Belliveau said. “We are so proud to see the culmination of our strategic thinking, fundraising efforts, manpower, commitment and blood, sweat and tears,” she added.
 
WorkHub on Union features flexible membership options on full, half and hot desks, as well as day passes with virtual office options expected to be available in the future. All memberships include amenities such as 24/3 key fob access; high-speed internet; a fully equipped conference room; lounge area with complimentary coffee, tea and water; private telephone area; access to photocopying, printing, and scanning; professional cleaning service, and on and off-street parking. Members of the Chamber will receive a discount as a benefit of their Chamber membership. The space will continue to house the headquarters of the Chamber to create a more synergistic environment.
 
The Chamber welcomes all members of the public to celebrate the official launch and are asked to register in advance on the Chamber’s Web site.
 
*This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number 21.027 awarded to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.