OLEAN — In October, an expert in media based in New York City was in town to celebrate St. Bonaventure University’s commencement weekend. In 1999, the Bona graduate was required to take care of a few business needs and, through friends from the local area, discovered a shared office space on the fourth floor of the Olean Business Development Corp. located on North Union Street.
“He stopped by and was very impressed by the space we have here,” said Bob Forness, the executive director at OBDC. The latter is in charge of establishing The Hub, a joint initiative between St. Bonaventure’s Innovation Center and SUNY Jamestown Community College. “He spent several days before deciding that he would like to make a payment, and I informed him that I was simply satisfied to have access to the space.”
This reaction to what The Hub could be able to offer is encouraging Forness. It is a hub that is expected to enroll members in the summer and is planned to be an office space that can help entrepreneurs and freelancers who require desks and meeting spaces in a professional area that includes strong WiFi and an energizing coffee brewing.
If anything other than that, Forness points out, the location located at The Hub could be an opportunity to escape from the stressors that come up in the course of more people doing work at home.
Brian Conaghan, the senior media consultant for Valpak Direct Marketing and Bona graduate, as well as their wife, who was born in Olean and had an apartment in Olean for visits to family and friends. However, The Hub, albeit still not fully developed at the time, helped him so much that Conaghan suggested that he at the very least create a website for it for free before its official launch sometime in July.
In a visit to The Hub, which opened on Friday to guests in StrOlean, Forness showed desk and work tables and areas for relaxation with couches and bean bags. Brick walls exposed and ductwork inside the 1895 building create an industrial loft style. Students of St. Bonaventure College and JCC arrived early on Friday to prepare for the next day.
Through its membership model, The Hub offers access to large, shared spaces and private offices and booking the lecture hall and boardroom for new businesses, providing access to areas that may not be readily accessible through its initial stages of development. The day will be offered as well as monthly and annual memberships. Spaces can be rented out for special events. Punch cards to purchase drinks during Union Tea, which is on the ground floor of the building, are available.
Forness claimed that more than $200,000 of grant funds have already been poured into renovations to the 1,600 square feet space. OBCD continually seeks more grants to further develop The Hub’s growth.
“We hope to create an area where people can take a break and get work accomplished; however, we also see this as a space where entrepreneurs with similar interests will gather and share concepts,” he said. “It could create an exciting atmosphere where members learn from one another and can be the boost needed for businesses that are just beginning their journey.”
Forness revealed that plans are in place to hold seminars and educational seminars by business mentors, which is another way to support members.
He also said that OBCD and its partners, through their initiatives and business relationships, can also assist businesses that are newer to increase their reach and grow. He noted that two companies that received $35,000 from The 2024 Laine Business Accelerator program also received direction and guidance in expanding or moving in the last year.
