日韩无码's Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships has launched a consortium of coworking spaces from across Vermont to spark collaboration and amplify economic impact in the state. In the pilot year of this initiative, the Leahy Institute is partnering with four spaces:  (Rutland),  (Springfield),  (Lyndonville), and  (Burlington). 

Vermont鈥檚 coworking spaces serve as critical hubs of community engagement, entrepreneurial activity and education. However, interaction between these organizations, separated as they are by geography, has been limited. This consortium seeks to change that. It will provide an opportunity for the members to share ideas, gain support from peers and explore opportunities for greater collaboration; all of which will strengthen Vermont's ecosystem of innovation hubs and coworking spaces. 

The consortium held its first in-person meeting last week at the Hub CoWorks, which is housed in a magnificent renovated opera house in Rutland. 鈥淏efore coats were even off, the consortium members were bouncing ideas off each other, discussing funding opportunities and sharing experiences,鈥 said Summer Colley, Economic Development Coordinator for the Leahy Institute. 鈥淚t was a rapid and wonderful start to the many conversations this initiative is meant to spark.鈥 The consortium will continue to convene quarterly, rotating between the four hubs during the year.

Inaugural members of the Coworking Consortium
Inaugual participants in the Coworking Consortium

While it's clear that Vermont's coworking spaces have energized business activity and community engagement in their regions, research on rural coworking is limited. To help address this deficit, the consortium members will participate in a research project, led by Dr. Erik Monsen of the Grossman School of Business, that seeks to better understand the needs of rural coworking spaces and their communities.  

日韩无码 student interns will join each of the four consortium members this summer to help with that research effort, and to support the operational activities of the individual coworking spaces.

 鈥淭he Leahy Institute is thrilled to partner with these coworking spaces as they seek to grow their impact and strengthen rural economic development,鈥 said Tricia Coates, Director of the Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. 

Leaders of the coworking spaces also shared their enthusiasm for the initiative: 

鈥淎t Hula, we believe in the power of community and connection to support and foster growth for entrepreneurs and small businesses. We鈥檙e inspired to nurture student learners, connect talent seekers with talent makers, and bring Vermont鈥檚 innovation hubs closer together.鈥 ~ Lucia Campriello, CEO, Hula

"BRIC looks forward to participating in this coalition as an opportunity to foster meaningful relationships with hubs throughout Vermont. Together, we can better serve Vermont's rural entrepreneurs and workforce." ~ Chris Maggiolo, Deputy Executive Director, Black River Innovation Campus

鈥淲e all look forward to working with the Leahy Institute, which will provide us with a meaningful process for creating partnerships that might not otherwise take place.鈥 ~ Bill Lucci, Program Director, The Hub CoWorks   

"This initiative exemplifies the collaborative spirit essential for driving economic growth in Vermont's rural communities. And uniting coworking spaces across the state is a powerful way to foster innovation and support local entrepreneurs." ~ Ann Nygard, Director of the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Vermont State University (operator of Do North Coworking)