Broadband is essential to a thriving community – but it is not a panacea and it won’t work in a vacuum. Like a treadmill in the basement, broadband is only helpful when you use it. In this session, panelists from a variety of organizations working to support tech-based economic development strategies will discuss their own efforts, and provide the audience with ideas on how they can engage with their own providers around broadband-fueled economic development.

2. Hello!
I’m Richard Stuart from Ely.
I’ve been helping good people grow great
businesses using internet marketing since 1996.
I’m the Project Coordinator & Community Manager
for Ten Below Coworking in Ely.
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3. Coworking
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4. What is
Coworking?
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5. “
Coworking is about creating a better
place to work, and, as a result, a better
way to work. Coworking spaces provide
more than just office space. They are
community centers, friendly gathering
places, think tanks. When you rent a desk
or an office, you gain coworkers to
bounce ideas off and that support you
professionally in a way that you can’t find
working from home or in the corporate
office. Coworking connects you to a
global network of professional peers.
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6. Startups > Coworking is the perfect option because
it gives the ability to scale up or down, minimal set-
up costs due to shared infrastructure, a built in
community to network with, and quite often links to
in-house expertise.
Subject Matter Experts > Coworking spaces contain
overhead costs, there are no long leases to commit
to and everything to run a business is usually
available on site in a high-profile central business
areas with easy access to recreation, restaurants,
and shopping where renting independently would
be cost prohibitive.
Who and Why do people
use Coworking spaces?
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7. Freelancers > Coworking spaces equate to
“freedom” of where and when they work with all of
the benefits of a productive office environment plus
the perks of being part of a community of like-
minded people.
Corporations > Large forward thinking companies
are jumping on board with coworking spaces due to
the benefits to their employees, from increased
happiness and productivity to networking
opportunities with people outside of their own
domains.
Who and Why do people
use Coworking spaces?
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8. Lawyers
Learning Specialists
Medical Professionals
Entrepreneurs
Software Engineers
Consultants
Small Business Owners
Resort Owners
Geographers
Who is using Ten Below
Coworking in Ely?
Members are predominately
out of town guests that
require stable reliable
internet to facilitate online
meetings and teleworking in
a semi-private office
environment.
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9. Coworking
by the
numbers
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10. 1.7 million coworkers
by the end of 2018
￮ Approximately 33% of working America
is now self-employed.
￮ 40% of self-employed people report
that they have struggled with
loneliness and isolation is leading
many entrepreneurs to seek out
communal work spaces.
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11. “
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There are 11,000 U.S. coworking
spaces - roughly the number of U.S.
Starbucks.
The number of coworking members
will rise to 3.8 million by 2020 and 5.1
million by 2022.
By 2020 50% of large companies will
have some form of shared office
space.

12. 66 desks
1.6 Members per desk.
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8,975 square feet
149 square feet per desk.
93 members
Average number of coworking members
per space.
The average coworking space in the
US has.

13. $135 per desk
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$1.30 per square foot
Coworking spaces on average break even
and begin turning a profit in 15 months.
$89 per member
The average monthly coworking
profit is.

14. Coworking
models to
support
economic
development
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Coworking
For
ProfitNon
Profit
Governmental
Other

15. 13% are Non-Profit
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82% are For-Profit
Coworking business models in 2018
1% are Governmental
4% are Other

16. 17% < 50 - 90 Mbps
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25% < 50 Mbps
Coworking download speeds in
Mbps
27% < 100 - 199 Mbps
18% < 200 - 499 Mbps
12% < 500 Mbps

17. Notable numbers
Tech-giant Microsoft allows 30% of
their employees to use WeWork
coworking spaces around New York.
Uber was founded in a coworking
space and currently has staff working
in coworking spaces in 51 countries.
Instagram was created in 8 weeks in
a coworking space and was sold to
Facebook for $1 billion.
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18. Lessons
learned in Ely
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19. “ Start where you are.
Use what you have. Do
what you can.
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20. High level hurdles
The concept of coworking is often not
understood. Engaging established community
groups is critical.
Operational budget limitations to cross the 15
month threshold.
Seek local partnerships early while establishing
a clearly articulated vision.
Building community prior to opening is
imperative. Don’t wait.
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21. Current initiatives
Ten Below Coworking is facilitating FREE
Professional Development Skillshares for local
businesses to leverage the power of the
internet and social media to drive
engagement and sales year round.
These skillshares powered by Incredible Ely
are specifically designed to support
economic growth in the Ely area by
connecting people, knowledge, ideas and
resources.
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22. “
Coworking spaces have the
potential for huge impact on
cities and local neighborhoods.
They can create wellbeing,
connection, and yes, communal
happiness. Coworking spaces
can help communities, thrive!
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