EASTHAMPTON — Four months from the opening of a much-anticipated co-working space downtown, the Chamber of Greater Easthampton has launched a capital campaign in hopes that a final fundraising push will provide the money needed to outfit the space on Union Street.

“We are excited to embark on this journey and invite the community to join us in making the WorkHub on Union a reality,” said Laurie Lamoureux, president of Chamber’s board of directors. “Together, we can create a thriving hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity right here in Greater Easthampton.”

The WorkHub, which is wrapping up construction at the Chamber’s current location at 33 Union St., will be a co-working office space supporting new businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs in the community. It aims to provide individuals with the facilities, networking, and support they need to support and elevate their business endeavors.

The new initiative is part of the professional and economic development efforts of the Chamber, which serves member businesses in Easthampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and surrounding communities.

Chamber Executive Director Moe Belliveau said there will be “opportunities for Chamber members and non-members to participate” in this co-work space.

To date, more than $290,000 has been raised from state and municipal grants, foundations, businesses throughout the region and private donors, leaving the Chamber $160,000 shy of its $450,000 fundraising goal.

While the construction phase is wrapping up, much work needs to be done to get the space ready for occupation including technology infrastructure, addition of furniture and more.

Once completed, the space will accommodate up to 18 people at private desks, shared semi-private desks, a communal space, a conference room, a phone booth-type space for virtual calls, and a coffee area.

The space will also offer Wi-Fi and “light administrative support” like taking phone messages and sorting the mail.

“This is an ongoing part of the Chamber’s work building and strengthening the diversity and resilience of local businesses and the local economy,” said Belliveau. “For people who maybe have an informal business, [the WorkHub] is an affordable, risk-free way to help them move from that informal phase and provide indirect support from the Chamber.”

According to Belliveau, the Chamber aims to have a soft opening for the WorkHub on Union near the end of this summer, with a “bigger grand opening celebration in the fall.”

Co.Starters graduate

The Chamber also recently celebrated the six graduates of its inaugural Co.Starters class, which is a nine-week education course that prepares aspiring entrepreneurs to run successful businesses. During each three-hour session, entrepreneurs develop plans for their business ideas concerning distribution, growth, marketing and more with the goal of adding to the number of businesses in the greater Easthampton area, Belliveau said.

Participants gain access to the networking opportunities and resources that the WorkHub has to offer, as well as classroom instruction periods and mentorship from established entrepreneurs.

The Co.Starters program is part of the professional development initiatives at the WorkHub on Union, and the next cohort will begin on Sept. 10 with sessions held on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Applications for the fall cohort are being accepted on a rolling basis through Aug. 27.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @alexamlewis.