After moving here 15 years ago from Silicon Valley, I’ve always admired downtown Chapel Hill’s potential for business and economic growth.
I’ve started and worked for companies and clients all around the Triangle in that time. I love working with small businesses that are posed to grow and entrepreneurs whose ideas as poised for success.
I’ve been a big supporter and board member of the Friends of the Downtown. I’ve been a big supporter of Town Government; having chaired the Town’s Technology Committee and participated in many discussions about economic development, parking, schools and growth.
And I’ve certainly enjoyed dining and entertaining in great variety of restaurants we have downtown.
But, until the last year, I had not worked in Downtown Chapel Hill. That changed when I opened Carolina Coworking on West Franklin Street. We just had our first anniversary and I have a whole new level of optimism for our Downtown and the value it can bring to any business.
Here are the TOP 10 reasons why I’m so optimistic about doing business downtown:
- Once we opened Carolina Coworking, the biggest objection – complicated long term leases, was removed. Anyone can locate their business – solo entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, CPAs, franchise operators, financial services, clinical researchers, remote workers and more are seamlessly working together downtown at Carolina Coworking without any long term commitment or hassle of maintaining an office.
- We can introduce companies needing more space to several downtown building owners who have space available. Dwight Bassett, the Town’s Economic Development Director, maintains a web site of available downtown office space.
- Parking isn’t as bad as its reputation. I’ve found it’s always easy to park downtown. The parking decks offer less expensive hourly rates and our Police Department offers downtown employees inexpensive annual passes to park for free after 3pm.
- We have four strong civic organizations: the Chapel Hill downtown partnership with new director Matt Gladdek, the Chamber of Commerce led by Aaron Nelson, the Friends of the Downtown led by Pat Evans, and the Visitors Bureau led by Laurie Policelli are a formidable combination of support and connection for any downtown business endeavor.
- We have world class business services, from the Bell Leadership Institute to the Rivers Agency for branding and marketing, to Phil Szostak’s design and architecture firm.
- Within walking distance from anywhere on Franklin or Rosemary Streets, we have a FedEx office for printing and shipping AND a US Post office AND a TARGET with a mini grocery store inside. It couldn’t be more convenient.
- There is plenty of event space available, from Carolina Coworking’ s conference center to the Top of the Hill’s Great Room, to the Carolina Inn, AC Hotel and Franklin Hotel ball rooms.
- And there are plenty of hotel rooms for out of town visitors at the Carolina Inn, AC Hotel and Franklin Hotel – all within walking distance of everything downtown.
- We frequently sponsor free events and there are almost daily events on the UNC Campus. All are open to the public and make it easy to establish new connections and build your network.
- And with all the resources at Carolina Coworking, we call ourselves SUPER CONNECTORS. Our wide networks make it easy to identify resources and collaborate with other professionals and resources here in the Triangle as well as New York, Boston and Silicon Valley.
Connect with us at www.carolinacoworking.com or visit us at 206 West Franklin Street.
Carolina Coworking: What you need in a workspace, when you need it. We’re the No. 1 flexible workspace in Chapel Hill.