Smart Hub switches on for Startups

Published on 19 May 2016

Local entrepreneurs now have a place to incubate and grow with Rockhampton Regional Council’s Smart Hub opening its doors to Startup businesses.

212 Quay Street is a facility designed to provide low cost co-working office space in a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can share their expertise and experience.

It is one of the first Queensland based regional hubs and its establishment was the first action of the Smart Way Forward Strategy that aims to foster innovation and technology for a smarter Region.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said the Hub has attracted strong interest from local Startups and has already opened its doors to two local businesses.

“During Small Business Week we are very excited to welcome Bitplex and Allied BG as our very first business groups in the Smart Hub space,” Mayor Strelow said.

“These businesses have been working hard for a number of years to reach a point where they are ready to scale up and expand.

“The Council’s contribution to providing a working space and resources will help these businesses to establish themselves, continue to grow and employ local people.”

Mayor Strelow said it’s been very encouraging to see strong interest from local people who are working on their own innovations.

“We extend an invitation to local entrepreneurs to contact us to discuss their ideas and we will look at how we can help develop and deliver their vision,” she said.

The existing office spaces in 212 Quay Street will eventually be transformed into a contemporary open plan space for collaborative working including co-working and casual office space, and meeting rooms with video conferencing facilities.

Council has submitted an application for $250,000 to the Building our Regions (BoR) fund for the fitout of 212 Quay Street and has allocated matching funding in the 2016-17 budget.

 To keep up to date with the progress of the Smart Hub and The Smart Way Forward program visit Council’s recently launched blog: http://smart.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/