Livingston Slated To Get New Co-Work/Entrepreneurship Center Downtown

Livingston set to bring a new co-working and entrepreneurship center to its downtown.

Chamber Director Shannon Cantrell told the Board of Aldermen Monday night it had received a $75,000 USDA grant to make this possible. She said they hope to start construction on the space located behind the Steel Coop by this July.

“And we’re just super excited about the possibilities that this facility is going to bring,” Cantrell said. “There are so many young entrepreneurs coming to our area, or they’ve grown up here and they’re at that age where they’re really wanting to start something awesome, and this is the perfect space for them to able to do that.”

Cantrell said the idea stemmed from COVID, which put a strain on a lot of local business owners and entrepreneurs who worked from their homes. She said they offered the chamber’s conference room to members who needed a workspace out of their homes.

“It kind of got us thinking, ‘Why not start looking into something like the Biz Foundry that Cookeville has,'” Cantrell said. “Because they’re doing great things. So we partnered with them, started applying for all the grants.”

Cantrell said the chamber is also applying for an additional $71,000 grant to help with the build-out. She said the USDA grant covers all technical equipment, desks, and anything else needed inside. She said they are partnering with Cookeville’s Biz Foundry for technical services or potential class offerings.

Cantrell said those who work from home or need an office space to rent will be able to come in a get a day pass, a month pass, or an annual pass. She said there will also be eight to nine micro-offices for long-term lease as well.

“So this will be an interesting venture for us,” Cantrell said. “And we’re excited to be able to offer this type of thing for our community.”