By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Coworking spaces are membership-based workspaces that bring together diverse groups of freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs and other independent professionals to work in a communal setting.
A growing trend across the country and around the world, coworking is particularly prevalent in cities with large technology industries and entrepreneur populations.
Caz CoWorks is a coworking space located on the second floor at 87 Albany St. in downtown Cazenovia.
Since its launch in January 2018, the project has proven that the shared office model can be beneficial not only in urban centers, but also in smaller rural communities.
CoWorks provides a well-equipped, flexible and affordable remote workspace for professionals in Cazenovia, Manlius, Chittenango, Morrisville and other surrounding areas.
According to CACDA Executive Director Lauren Lines, CoWorks currently serves 15 to 17 members — individuals who would otherwise commute elsewhere or work at home, in a coffee shop or at the library.
CoWorks offers four membership options with no long-term commitment: the standard membership, an evening/weekend-only membership and two different resident memberships.
The space includes two large, open rooms with a variety of workstations; casual seating areas; two furnished private offices (rented by the month); a conference room; a kitchen; two restrooms; a Wi-Fi printer; and a sound-buffered phone booth.
Standard membership includes high-speed internet access, printer use, access to all rooms, except the private offices, conference room reservation rights, the ability to reserve spaces for after hours and weekend events, and inclusion in the membership directory.
Caz CoWorks was created in consultation with Syracuse CoWorks. Caz members are entitled to use the Syracuse space one day per week.
Coworking is an excellent option for professionals looking to escape the isolation of a home office or coffee shop, according to Lines.
On a daily basis, CoWorks members have the opportunity to interact with one another, to network and to make important business connections.
Nathan LeMesurier — a software engineer — moved to the village a couple of years ago from Seattle with his wife. He has been a CoWorks member for over a year.
As someone with introverted tendencies, LeMesurier said he appreciates the fact that the communal workspace pushes him out of his bubble and allows him to regularly see and interact with “a good mix of people.”
“One of the other people who works here was also a software engineer working for a company out of Seattle,” LeMesurier said. “We got to know each other and now we actually work together . . . we had an opening and he ended up joining our team.”
LeMesurier also said he is grateful for the opportunity to keep his work separate from his home. CoWorks allows him to maintain structure in his workday, to stay focused and to be more productive.
Coming from Seattle, LeMesurier never expected to find a coworking space in a village the size of Cazenovia.
“Even in most of the significantly larger towns I’ve been in, this is not something they have,” he said. “[CoWorks] is very unique. I was very excited when it opened up.”
In its first year, CoWorks has benefited not only the professionals who use the space, but also Cazenovia’s downtown business district and the surrounding area.
The flow of individuals in and out of the Main Street building has led to increased activity in downtown businesses, according to Lines.
“We wanted more people in the village,” she said. “The more people that are downtown on a daily basis, the more people that are using the restaurants, coffee shops, et cetera.”
The project is an example of an impactful use of existing downtown infrastructure. Prior to its transformation in 2018, the second floor of the 87 Albany St. building stood vacant for four to five years.
“We wanted to show that it is really nice, usable space,” Lines said. “And a lot of these downtown buildings have the same [potential].”
The space also functions as an ideal location for start-ups to test out new business ideas at an affordable rate and without long-term commitment.
Additionally, Lines noted CoWorks enables some members to cut down on their weekly mileage.
“We have some members who have jobs in Syracuse, but their employers let them telecommute once or twice a week,” she said.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transportation — including commuting to and from work — is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Telecommuting is an effective way for individuals to reduce their carbon footprints.
Any profits from Caz CoWorks will be used to fund projects to enhance the village Main Street.
“Our ultimate goal is to have a source of revenue for small projects for the village — like bike racks or streetscape improvements,” Lines said.
For more information, visit cazcoworks.spaces or contact Lauren Lines at [email protected] or 315-655-7651.
