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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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The Belle Center approved for business incubator and coworking space
After months of meetings and waiting for approval, The Belle Center will expand business support offerings to for-profit businesses and entrepreneurs
MT. PLEASANT — Applause broke out in a Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting Wednesday, June 12 as the council approved an ordinance amendment for a flexible business space for The Belle Center.
“We’ve never had applause before,” one council member commented at the positive response from those at the meeting.
The Belle Center reached out to the city seeking an ordinance amendment for flexible business space for The Belle Center after starting a new regional nonprofit organization in the former Chadwick Library of the former Iowa Wesleyan Campus intent on providing “rural southeast Iowans with equitable access to entrepreneurial, professional development, and community resources so that they may pursue meaningful careers and fulfilling lives,” according to The Belle Center’s mission statement.
The need for an ordinance amendment stemmed from The Belle Center being located in an R3 Multiple Family Dwelling District zone in the city which allows for 100% philanthropic and educational purposes. However, The Belle Center’s plans did not neatly fall into this zoning definition.
With a desire to promote small for-profit businesses along with nonprofits, by offering a space to grow and learn, The Belle Center needed this amendment.
Initially their request in March was denied by former Mt. Pleasant Building and Zoning Administrator Jack Swarm for fear of spot-zoning. Early in May, however, the Planning and Zoning Commission made a recommendation to the city council concerning the ordinance to allow flexible business space in The Belle Center.
This ordinance amendment adds the terms “business incubator” and “coworking space” into the R3 Multiple Family Dwelling District and will allow The Belle Center to better realize their mission for their organization.
With this approval, The Belle Center is now open to individuals and businesses to use their flexible office space.
“Join a growing list of entrepreneurs, innovators, and collaborators as we continue to build a network of support,” The Belle Center encouraged as they announced the expansion of functionality following the approval. “Whether you are a remote worker in need of reliable internet connection or a freelancer in need of a change of scenery, we've got space for that.”
The Belle Co-work Space will offer high-speed internet, networking opportunities, and a professional work environment for a variety of memberships.
Those choosing to work at The Belle Center can choose to use daily, weekly, or monthly membership options as they begin to use this new space to the community.
Memberships will include unlimited coffee and tea, comfortable seated or standing workstations, private office memberships, personal mailboxes, Owl Labs equipment for Zoom conferences, quiet zones, and private meeting rooms for calls and meetings.
The Belle Center will offer special early bird rates and exclusive benefits to those joining the co-work space early. For more information or to schedule a tour contact Community Manager Ray Vens at ray@bellecenter.org
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
