‘Unique’ Coworking Space Opens in Greenfield

(photo courtesy of Idea Co-op)

A new coworking space in Hancock County aims to fill an underserved need in east central Indiana. Idea Co-op features a traditional indoor coworking area, along with 36 acres of outdoor space that can be used by members. The coworking space is operated by Greenfield-based NineStar Connect and director of business and economic development Jill Snyder says the outdoor aspect makes it a unique concept for the region.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Snyder says 26 acres of the property are tillable and plans are already in place for them. VanCoe Ag Technologies LLC is an agronomy and animal agtech integrator that moved into Idea Co-op in September. The company plans to use the tillable land to "demonstrate and end-to-end integrated approach with next generation technologies for agronomy and animal production."

Snyder says the outdoor innovation space could have a variety of benefits for businesses.

"I think there’s a lot of opportunities for people who have business ideas and they need a space where whatever their equipment or technology is requires space, maybe something exposed to the elements, maybe they need large warehouse space," said Snyder. "It also makes it very conducive for training. (It’s) not just office space. We have a lot of other types of space that’s very attractive as well."

The property is located on State Road 9 a few miles north of I-70 in Greenfield. The indoor portion of Idea Co-op features 18,000-square feet of space that includes private and open offices, a 50-person education center and conference rooms. Other amenities include an open collision space, virtual reality facility, 3D printing lab, and podcast and video rooms. 

Snyder says the goal of Idea Co-op is to spawn new economic development in east central Indiana. "If businesses start up here in Idea Co-op and they have to graduate to the next space, we hope that people continue to look at this area of the state and will choose to start their businesses in Hancock County and (the) east central Indiana area."