Shared work facility prepares to open in downtown Norwich
Norwich — The Norwich Community Development Corp.'s planned new shared workspace, Foundry 66, is starting to take shape at the former Norwich Bulletin building at 66 Franklin St., and the agency will hold two informational sessions to explain the facility to prospective business members.
Foundry 66 will open Oct. 3, with NCDC offices moving to the renovated building that also will house offices, conference rooms and open work space with internet access and other office services.
Members would pay varying prices — similar to fees for services and programs at a private gym — and would have secured access to the building through electronic codes.
NCDC will host two noon informational sessions on Friday, Sept. 16, and Monday, Sept. 19, for prospective business members and anyone interested in learning how the program will work.
The sessions will be held in the newly renovated conference room area of the building and also will include a tour of the facility, NCDC Marketing Director Miria Toth said.
Those planning to attend either informational session are asked to register by the morning of the session to allow staff to plan for lunch. Contact Toth at NCDC at (860) 887-6964 or by email at mtoth@askncdc.com.
NCDC has been marketing the available space and services since early summer.
Toth said three of the seven available full-time office spaces are rented, including one by the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition.
She said she could not yet announce the other tenants.
In addition to the seven formal offices, the building will have so-called flex space, where members would be able to use open tables to work on their computers, meet with clients or conduct phone calls. That space can accommodate 30 to 40 people.
Shared workspace includes access to the facility's resource library, wifi, the lounge with free coffee, kitchenette and printing and supplies.
A keyless entry pad with an access code and a smartphone app with the keyless entry code system would give full-time members 24-hour entry into the facility, Toth said.
The building will have a 24-hour security system and security cameras for people who want to work late night or overnight hours.
“We know with the work schedules around here, people who may have a daytime job might want to work evenings and nights,” Toth said.
NCDC will provide office staff on weekdays, and can offer business planning assistance, accounting assistance and weekly classes.
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