The Hub, a co-working space in Harrisonburg, was presented with a Virginia Main Street Merit Award for Outstanding Business at the Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections workshop in Staunton, Virginia.
This award recognizes an outstanding new or existing downtown business who has had a significant impact on downtown by strengthening the business mix in the district, displaying an authentic and attractive storefront, or demonstrating exceptional downtown civic and promotional participation.
Owned by Kirsten and Chris Moore, The Hub not only offers a productive and modern downtown workspace for small businesses and remote workers in the area, but also the benefit of having coworkers: people to chat with over a cup of coffee, bounce an idea off, or troubleshoot a problem that people working in isolated settings often miss.
“We hope The Hub not only serves the existing workforce but also serves as a shiny magnet for people who want to make Harrisonburg their home while working for companies across the county or start up new, exciting businesses,” says Kirsten Moore.
“The Hub provides a physical space for our online company where we can come together as a team to collaborate on new projects while meeting other local professionals who are growing their businesses as well,” says Scott Rogers, of TakeThemAMeal.com.
The co-working space offers small businesses and entrepreneurs a place to work unlike any other workspace in the city. It is located in an old manufacturing and warehouse building in downtown. The space has been turned into a post-industrial workspace with clean lines and inviting workspaces.
“The Hub is a community of people working together and helping each other,” says Andrea Dono, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. “This spirit of collaboration is the essence of what Downtown Harrisonburg is all about.”
Since its launch, The Hub has attracted an impressive list of members that are helping to strengthen the overall business mix in downtown Harrisonburg. Everyone from graphic designers and developers to writers, private chefs, jewelry designers and nonprofit organizations have worked in the space.
“Our Virginia Main Street communities are revitalizing these beautiful downtown districts,” said Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Director Bill Shelton. ”In the last five years, designated Main Street communities have sparked more than $161 million in private investment in their districts, and as a result, last year, there was a net collective gain of 2,637 jobs across our Main Street downtown districts.”
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance has helped create an environment that has encouraged more than $66 million in private investment in Harrisonburg.
The Virginia Main Street program, managed by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), provides assistance and training to help communities increase the economic vitality of their downtown commercial districts. Virginia Main Street uses the National Main Street model to help communities revitalize their downtowns by focusing on their unique heritage and attributes. The program helps communities implement a comprehensive revitalization strategy that creates economic growth and pride in downtowns.
For more information about The Hub, call 540-578-0527or visit www.thehubcoworking.com.
For more information about the Virginia Main Street program, call 804- 371-7030 or visit www.dhcd.virginia.gov/MainStreet.
For more information about Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, call 540-432-8922 or visit www.downtownharrisonburg.org.
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