It’s official: Easthampton chamber opens WorkHub downtown

WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday.

WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton, below, on Friday.

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton, below, on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday.

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, cuts the ribbon during a ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Kevin Chambers, district aide for state Sen. John Velis, delivers an official citation recognizing the opening of WorkHub on Union to Laurie Lamoureux, president of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, and Executive Director Moe Belliveau during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Easthampton on Friday.

Kevin Chambers, district aide for state Sen. John Velis, delivers an official citation recognizing the opening of WorkHub on Union to Laurie Lamoureux, president of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, and Executive Director Moe Belliveau during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Moe Belliveau, executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, embraces Mayor Nicole LaChapelle as Chamber President Laurie Lamoureux looks on during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday.

Moe Belliveau, executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, embraces Mayor Nicole LaChapelle as Chamber President Laurie Lamoureux looks on during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday.

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday.

Moe Belliveau, the executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for WorkHub on Union in Easthampton on Friday. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has officially opened WorkHub on Union Street downtown.

The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has officially opened WorkHub on Union Street downtown. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

People gather outside of WorkHub on Union after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday in Easthampton.

People gather outside of WorkHub on Union after a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday in Easthampton. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has officially opened WorkHub on Union Street downtown.

The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has officially opened WorkHub on Union Street downtown. FOR THE GAZETTE/DAN LITTLE

By ALEXA LEWIS

Staff Writer

Published: 09-23-2024 5:27 PM

EASTHAMPTON — With fanfare and oversize ribbon-cutting scissors, the WorkHub on Union, a community co-working space at 33 Union St., celebrated its awaited grand opening on Friday evening.

The WorkHub, home to The Chamber of Greater Easthampton, hopes to provide a space for local businesses, professionals and entrepreneurs to collaborate, learn, and expand their business ventures.

For over 60 years, the Easthampton chamber has operated with the goal of promoting economic viability and growth throughout Easthampton and beyond. For those involved in the WorkHub’s creation, a space for cooperative work, networking and entrepreneurial education rose to the forefront as a creative way to serve that goal.

“This is an unusual step for chambers to take,” said state Rep. Dan Carey, D-Easthampton, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is how we support our businesses and support our community.”

Moe Belliveau, the chamber’s executive director, said that conversations about the WorkHub space started back in 2017. With the help of multiple grants, community fundraising and the support of local stakeholders, construction began in March and wrapped up in May.

“This evening has been such a long time coming,” she told the crowd of dozens with a mixture of excitement and relief.

The space, which was previously simply the Chamber’s offices, is now outfitted with a conference room, a lounge area with complimentary tea, coffee and water, high-speed internet, semi-private desk space and more. A glass door at the back looks out on patio seating for the neighboring Union Street Bistro, which Belliveau told the Gazette adds to the “collaborative, community feel” of the space, which she said many people find motivating while they’re working. In keeping with this community atmosphere, the space is sleek and open, complete with large windows and transparent partitions.

But for those who need a few quiet moments, or space to make a call, there is a private room with a desk and chair that can be folded away for increased accessibility.

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“Moe just had these ideas that went on for decades,” said Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle about her initial conversations with Belliveau regarding the WorkHub. “It transcends the traditional role of a chamber. It’s a bold step forward.”

For LaChapelle the event was an emotional one, as it represented the culmination of years of community support and work. Now, she said, “a new chapter of work begins” as the chamber begins to drum up interest for the WorkHub among the community’s freelancers, entrepreneurs and business owners.

The WorkHub is also still seeking donations to fund its operations as well. Through the WorkHub’s capital campaign, more than $290,000 has been raised from state and municipal grants, foundations, businesses throughout the region and private donors, leaving the Chamber still $160,000 shy of its $450,000 fundraising goal.

“We have raised a lot of money, but we still are not quite there,” said Laurie Lamoreux, president of the Chamber board of directors as she thanked the many community sponsors and individual donors that made the WorkHub’s opening possible. “We are still open to donations.”

Those who rent space at the WorkHub will have access to all of its amenities, including 24/3 key fob access, access to the copy center, professional cleaning service, on and off street parking, and access to the member community and chamber programming.

A full desk can be rented at a rate of $390 per month, while the half desk rate is $204 per month and the hot desk rate is $120 per month. Day passes are $36 per day, and the conference room can be rented at $36 per hour. The one hour recurring day rate for the conference room is $300 per month. All pricing is based on use of up to three days a week.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.