Startups getting a boost in Windsor

$95K in ARPA dollars will go toward funding new co-working space

WINDSOR — The town of Windsor plans to use some of its funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to help new businesses get off the ground and get the support they need.

The council heard from town Economic Development Director Patrick Mcmahon that a record number of 5.4 million new business filings were reported in the United States in 2021, which tops the previous record of 4 million in 2020.

“America’s entrepreneurial spirit has remained strong, despite the trials of the pandemic,” Mcmahon said at a recent meeting, adding that new businesses in Connecticut increased by 20% in 2021.

“We need to seize the opportunity to provide them with the supports necessary to grow into successful ventures.”

Windsor Worx is the name of the project, a new co-work space that will utilize $165,000 to establish the center at 208 Broad St., which was formerly a Bank of America building, and is owned by Loomis Chaffee School.

Of the total funding, $70,000 will come from the town’s previously approved but never used Small Business ad Non-profit Grand Program, and $95,000 from the new ARPA fund allocation.

The center will be modeled after others, such as those in Manchester and West Hartford. The space will include meeting spaces, co-working desks, dedicated workstations and private offices. Windsor Worx will also partner with the CT Small Business Center to provide assistance to businesses in the areas of marketing, sales, legal services, bookkeeping and more.

“It’s anticipated that Windsor Worx will work closely with the Windsor Public Library, Windsor High School, the Loomis Chaffee School, First Town Downtown and the chamber of commerce on educational programming and events,” Mcmahon said.

The town will have a threeyear lease, with options for two one-year extensions, with Loomis

Chaffee School, which will also be investing $150,000 to renovate the space.

The start-up phase of the project — the first 2½ to 3 months — would include signing the lease and securing the funding, and finalizing partnerships. Year one will include bi-monthly, free business networking events, weekly office hours for free technical assistance, establishment of the resources center and content lab, and discussions on how to implement entrepreneurial learning with Loomis Chaffee School.

“A lot of really exciting things are going to happen in this space,” Mcmahon said.

Annisa Teich, co-director of West Hartford Coworking, a similar entity that began five years ago, also spoke at the council meeting. She formed Bromleigh Enterprises, a nonprofit organization focused on helping small businesses, of which Windsor Worx would be a subsidiary. She said that the trend of co-working has grown and is already stronger in other areas, including New Jersey. Now, the suburban areas are seeing a lot more small business ownership.

“Big moves and big dreams are taking place in our facility,” Teich said. “We really see value in digging into our community.”

Council member Ronald Eleveld said he appreciates the idea, but wants to see numbers that show how the center would be profitable.

“I’m a financial guy. Coming to me without numbers, I’m going to have to vote no,” Eleveld said.

But Town Manager Peter Souza took the heat for that, apologizing and saying that it was his decision not to provide detailed cost-performance financials at this meeting, adding that Teich had provided them.

“She has provided them, and they have been reviewed,” Souza said. “We certainly can provide more numbers to you.”

“I think there has been due diligence done,” said council member Lisa Bress. “I don’t think that people would come before us, whether they be employees or professionals, without having done their homework.”

The council discussed tabling a vote to its first June meeting, pending the presentation of the financial numbers, but there was agreement that the vote not be delayed, and the motion passed, 5-4.

“Big moves and big dreams are taking place in our facility. We really see value in digging into our community.”

— Annisa Teich, co-director of West Hartford Coworking