Another co-working space for entrepreneurs, Springboard Baton Rouge is slated to open Jan. 1 inside the Kress building at Third and Main streets.
Businesses will be able to rent an office or desk by the month, week or day. The 12,000-square-foot space on the second floor will feature 40 cubicles available for renters and 30 offices targeted toward longer leases of six months to a year or more.
John Schneider of Vision City Development Group says future plans include an Internet café, slated to open by March. Schneider says the group is talking with the Kauffman Foundation’s Urban Entrepreneur Partnership about moving them into Springboard. Part of that program is the Godfrey Center for Creative Strategy, the center’s educational and public policy arm, which will offer educational programs for entrepreneurs.
Schneider says he’s looking for professional services sponsors, such as law firms or insurers, who will also be available to Springboard tenants. Plans also call for a social media marketing concern that will develop smartphone apps and games.
Capital Region Venture Partners will offer microlending and investment. Vision City is looking for another 200,000 square feet of office space to expand Springboard over the next three years, with the ultimate goal of housing 50 or more entrepreneurial companies downtown.
One thing is for sure, Co-working is catching on in Louisiana.