What We've Learned While Stimulating Collaboration

When AEDC first started exploring the idea of creating collaborative workspace in the Lehigh Valley, we looked at it from the perspective of our space. As we have planned, we have significantly shifted our thinking about Hive 4A.


We manage the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, a 60,000 square foot former Mack plant that we converted to a 45,000 square foot multi-tenant building in 1988. The intent of the renovations was to create space suitable for hosting a light manufacturing business incubation program, which we have done for over 20 years now. Over the past few years, in part as a result of the recession, we have seen two of our units remain totally empty with no prospects. These two spaces, totaling almost 6,000 square feet have some limitations that make them poor fits for manufacturing businesses, and we struggled to lease them.


At the same time that we explored creative ways to lease space in our building, we also started thinking about the core mission of the incubation program. We have to create jobs, and one of the greatest ways to do that is to help new businesses get started. It was clear to us that we needed to stimulate entrepreneurship.


So when we read an article talking about the rise of tinkering amid the crisis, we saw it as an opportunity to fill our space and stimulate entrepreneurship with one initiative. Thus began our effort to create makerspace in Allentown. As we proceeded thinking about this type of organization, we also learned about coworking space and added it to our to-do list.


But during planning, we have learned a very important lesson: collaborative workspace is SO much more about the collaborators than it is about the space. Don't think for a second that we want to present second-rate space, but as we've talked to entrepreneurs, would-be entrepreneurs, job-seekers, and independent professionals, we have seen that this is going to be about the individuals that make up the space. We've met with some really talented people with exciting ideas and we really look forward to seeing all of those individuals working together and growing their businesses.


If you are interested in this process, please join us at the space to learn more about how you can be part of this community.