We are proud to announce that in Spring 2016, there will be a great new community in York County for all freelancers, at-home and mobile workers, entrepreneurs, consultants, contract workers, and more. After years of seeing successful coworking communities in Uptown Charlotte thrive, we are excited to bring that vibrancy and innovation to Fort Mill, Rock Hill and South Charlotte! Before we open our doors, we want to get to know the people in our community and what YOU would want in a coworking environment. Connect with us and join in some brainstorming about what services and amenities we could supply and what your talents can bring to the table! Don’t know about coworking? Check out this intro, like our page and join our meet-up group …. That way, you can stay informed of events and developments and make connections that will help you AND your business.

1. The Concept:
LOOM Coworking will be an environment
created to facilitate a new level of
collaboration and professional growth within
Fort Mill and all of York County. The goal is
not only to provide a space for innovation
enhancing interactions, but to bring together
all types of independent workers into an
accessible, inspiring, enjoyable and
sustainable community.
The Title:
The land occupied by Baxter Village, our
home for the last 10 years, is owned and
managed by the Clear Springs Foundation, a
legacy of Springs Creative and the Springs
family. As a tribute to our area steeped in
textile history, this Coworking community,
called LOOM, represents a contemporary
take on a traditional art form and an effort to
weave together the talents in Fort Mill.

2. (so… nobody likes to admit they use Wikipedia, but we all know you do!)
“Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working
environment and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office, those
coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically
it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors,
or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.
Coworking is also the social gathering of a group of people who are still
working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in
the synergy that can happen from working with people who value
working in the same place alongside each other. Coworking offers a
solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience
while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the
distractions of home.”
We know that working alone is a drag.
We know a lot of folks miss the energy
and enrichment of an environment of
coworkers. We know the distractions of
running your business from your dining
room or from Starbucks. Let's pool our
collective talents to create a community
that makes you WANT to go to WORK
and then LEAVE it there and go HOME!

3. In a brief on-line discussion, when asked their opinions about
working from home, some residents said (in order of
prevalence):
What I love about having a flexible work location:
• Being home with/for my kids when they need me
• Being able to work for myself when I want, how I want
• Being at home if there's a repair needed, take care of pets, run an errand
Why working at home doesn’t work for me:
• NEVER being able to leave work. Having work always close enough to tempt
me into spending late hours at my desk
• Unprofessional interruptions while trying to conduct business (flushing toilets,
dogs barking, babies crying)
• I feel way more productive in focusing on my work when I'm in an office. I'll
often procrastinate on work-related tasks at home
• Constant exposure to kids when home on summer break
• Internet hiccups
• Computer printers that aren't worthless consumer models
• Spouses or child-care workers whose interactions are distractions
What I miss about being in an office:
• Social or networking opportunities, from chatting with coworkers or other team
members to happy hours, impromptu lunches, etc.
• Professional and adult interaction
• The energy of an office being away from my house
• A routine
• Getting dressed up for work
What I don’t miss about being in a traditional office:
• Losing time commuting
• Mileage and parking costs

4. Mission and Vision
• To create a co-working community that encourages professional growth and success, networking, idea
sharing, and talent development, while serving as a resource to members and beyond.
• To have an active, creative and sustainable community of mobile workers, consultants, freelance artists,
entrepreneurs, and small businesses, working in a shared environment for the purposes of collaboration,
innovation and productivity for themselves and the greater York County community.
• To bring together a range of creative, technical, academic, for profit and non-profit businesses, creating new
possibilities for synergies and partnerships.
• To keep money in York County, harness the assets of local academic institutions, encourage work/life
balance and empower community members in order to support the continued economic success of the area.

5. Who is it for?
Professionals from the Fort Mill,
Rock Hill & South Charlotte areas.
Focus will be providing a more
productive and collaborative option
for the local:
Entrepreneur Creative
Freelancer Consultant
Contract worker Mobile worker
Flex worker Sales Rep
Uptown Charlotte has a wide range
of very successful coworking
communities … why don’t we?
The community will also provide a more family-oriented
culture that values work/life balance, providing
development activities, scheduling and accessibility
more conducive to that lifestyle. As opposed to many
urban Coworking spaces, LOOM will be more focused
on forging relationships with existing educational, public
and private entities.
LOOM will be formed using these principles:
Community and Collaboration
Openness and Flexibility
Creativity and Culture
Localism and Sustainability
Accessibility and Diversity

6. Spaces and amenities
• Flexible and dedicated zones which give choices for collaboration or heads-
down time
• Lounge/library space filled with business magazines and inspiring/helpful texts
• Open Kitchen/Bar/Break space with coffee, tea and soft drinks
• Meeting/conference rooms
• Private call spaces
• Personal lockers
• Art gallery highlighting local artists
• Event space for community, educational and arts events
• Fun display space including member wall, comment boards, chalkboard
announcements
• Bike storage and free parking
• Outdoor space for work and play
Technology
• Reliable and secure internet access
• Networked printer/copier
• Online networking platform
Services
• Reputable business address for members
• Intern/Mentor matching service with local higher ed institutions
• Facilitating help from York County Small Business Development
• Availability of design, real estate and construction experts when
members feel they need their own office space
Intangibles
• Continuing education opportunities based on member interests
• In-house and out-reaching networking events
• Local area services and assistance being brought to you
• Group philanthropic opportunities and community support
• Opportunities for inspiration, collaboration, and expert advice

7. LOOM is proud to be partnering with major commercial
furniture dealership, AlfredWilliams, who will provide
interior furnishings and architectural solutions from
Herman Miller and DIRTT. This partnership will reduce
start-up costs, ensure a well-appointed environment and
provide a wealth of educational opportunities for members.
The local dealership will rotate content frequently, which
will add another dynamic aspect to the community.
AlfredWilliams has been serving customers in the
Carolinas and providing quality classic furnishings for 150
years. We are excited about working with them on this hip
and fun new space!

8. Why do we need it?
• Increasing number of at-home (or coffee shop) workers
in York County and especially Baxter area.
• There are not many productive choices in the area for
mobile or home-based workers. Crowded coffee shops
lack optional privacy and layout space, have wi-fi
glitches, and are ineffective for certain types of work or
meetings.
• Residents love the flexibility and time saved in commute
but not reaching full personal and professional potential
because of separation from workplace and isolation.
• No similar entities in York, Lancaster or Chester counties
• Local option is Regus, which has no community, events,
or rich amenities.
• Closest similar organizations are in or near Uptown
Charlotte (30-45 min typical commute).
Why will LOOM succeed?
• The increase of congestion and construction along I-77
will likely prompt more flexible workers to forego the
commute and seek alternate arrangements.
• Fort Mill has a heightened sense of community and
neighborly support as a founding value. People
encourage, show loyalty and are patrons of local
businesses.
• The owner, staff and founding members are already
heavily involved in the neighboring communities, socially,
professionally and philanthropically.
• Gallery and rentable space will be an asset to the
community.

9. The benefits of LOOM to the area and the people
 A community lounge of sorts, the open office area will
replace the need for staking out a loud and crowded table at
a coffee shop …. for about the price of a daily large latte!
 The staff will work to bring educational, social and
networking opportunities to the members, making staying
professionally current and involved less of a chore.
 Organic and unintentional collisions within the space will
give birth to industry and community collaborations. More
local contacts equal more local contracts!
 The multipurpose environment will serve as an ever changing art gallery, increasing local’s exposure to the
range of art and design talent available.
 Flexible meeting and event space will be available to local civic and networking groups.
 Housing a broad range of talent, it will be a conduit for intern and mentor pairings for local universities.
 Just as the service businesses of Baxter bring daytime visitors to the restaurants and venues on Market
Street, downtown Fort Mill will benefit from the increase in foot traffic from coworkers and their clients and
members who are invested in the success of the development.
Why Fort Mill?
• People of Fort Mill are affluent with higher median and average
incomes than the county, state and national data. They have
higher educational levels than the county and state.
• Residents want to invest in Fort Mill. This leads to lower
resident turnout, increased engagement and community efforts,
greater economic benefits, and low crime rates.
• Fort Mill parents recognize their place in improving the world for
their children. They value family time and dislike wasting that
time in traffic.
• Fort Mill residents appreciate a higher quality of life. They enjoy
creating a sense of place and see the increased community
density as a way of connecting with others.

10. Over the next few months, the Fort Mill Coworking Meetup group will be getting together several
times at some of our favorite local haunts to share some laughs, some libations, and some
inspiration. We would love it if you would join us! Help us custom make this new community so it fits
YOUR business and personal needs!
Check out social media for more info about what coworking is and how you can benefit!
https://twitter.com/LOOMCoworking
https://www.facebook.com/LOOMCoworking/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/loom-coworking
http://www.meetup.com/LOOM-Fort-Mill-Coworking-Meetup/
We want LOOM, and the community of learners and collaborators within, to become part
of the fabric of Fort Mill.