Rossland’s co-working space is getting a facelift thanks to generous support from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT).
New furniture will help create a unique atmosphere for small businesses, startups and community groups to work, share and collaborate.
Previously on the second floor of the “Old Bank of Montreal building,” the HUB has relocated to the third floor where it occupies a distinctive, creative space. Anchor tenant and Rossland entrepreneurial success story Thoughtstream will utilize a portion of the HUB for their growing business needs.
“We are excited to be joining the HUB and look forward to growing Rossland into a strong environment for technology business and innovation,” said Jim Firstbrook, Thoughtstream co-founder and CEO. “We are proud to be a Rossland-based tech start up. Currently over half our staff live in the region and we forecast hiring up to 20 more people in the next year with preference given to those living in the area.”
Thoughtstream was founded in 2007 as a management consulting company before it developed into a software application program. Thoughtstream has grown from one employee to now more than 10 employees.
“We are excited to have to have Thoughtstream as an anchor tenant to the HUB, as they are the perfect example of a successful, growing tech business in Rossland,” said Rossland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Clark.
“As we move forward, Rossland has the ability to attract and maintain home-based and technology workers. This is a growth business sector for our community,” explains Clark. “Rossland has the ability to attract this specific type of businesses and help sustain the population of our community. Rossland has the physical and recreational attributes to do this.”
Amenities of the Rossland HUB include desks, reading areas, comfy couches and business services, internet and fax service, as well as access to a boardroom with video- conference capacity. Space in the HUB is currently available.
The “Hub Huddle” is an opportunity for the public to stop by and check out the space and is scheduled on October 4th from 3-6pm, on the third floor of the “Old Bank of Montreal building”. The HUB Huddle will be co-hosted by the Rossland Chamber of Commerce, the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST), Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), and Thoughtstream.
Please stop by, check out the HUB, and meet some very creative, collaborative folks: your potential new co-working colleagues! Members of Rossland’s Broadband Task Force will also be at hand to answer any questions in regards to the broadband initiative for the community.
The Rossland HUB is a project that is supported by Columbia Basin Trust, KAST, and the Rossland Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on the Rossland HUB contact Renee at the Rossland Chamber of Commerce at 250.362.5666 or visit www.rosslandhub.com.
Who they are
• The Rossland Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that advocates for, and serves the business community of Rossland, and encourages investment and economic development.
• Thoughtstream is an online stakeholder engagement solution used to inform decisions and create buy-in with stakeholders and does so efficiently through the use of the Internet. The basis for the company’s fundamental belief about stakeholder engagement comes from the theories of in The Wisdom of the Crowds and the basic ideas of Collaborative Negotiation. The company has over 20 employees. For more information on Thoughtstream, visit www.thoughtstream.ca.
• The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) delivers social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.
• The Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the continued growth of science & technology as key economic drivers in the beautiful West Kootenay-Boundary region of BC. KAST works with business, students, educators and communities to support and showcase the opportunity provided by science, technology, manufacturing and innovation in our region.