Fallon opens biz collective

Fallon has launched a co-working space and is providing other resources to give rural entrepreneurs and small business owners a leg up.

The city has donated the space for the Young Entrepreneurs Collective, a group bringing business owners and entrepreneurs together to collaborate on projects benefiting the community and promoting economic vitality.

The co-working space is located above the Old Post Office, 90 N. Maine St.

It opened March 27 with a day of networking and speakers from Start Up Weekend, the Small Business Development Center, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Battle Born Venture Fund.

The new co-working space both supports the small businesses that are the backbone of the city and also sparks a new round of business growth in the community. By providing an affordable, collaborative office space, the city of Fallon aims to foster the growth of the local entrepreneurial community, said Rick Gray, executive director of the Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority, who also is shepherding the new venture.

The early idea is to have something that is a blend of incubator space, co-working space and office space.

“People can come and access the Internet, use things like copy machines and phones to carry on business,” said Gray. He said it will cost $40 per month for users to access the YEC. Users will have access to desks, desktop and laptop computers, Internet (both DSL and WiFi), copy machine, lounge and meeting room.

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to be the core strength of our economy,” said Andrea Schell, Fallon YEC co-founder and the owner of Kaia Fit. “The city of Fallon recognizes that our community needs this resource and has helped create an avenue for entrepreneurial success.”

While Gray said the emphasis is on assisting new business owners and young entrepreneurs, no one will be turned away.

“We aren’t carding people,” said Gray. “I think everybody, regardless of their age, has got some youthful spirit when they start a business.”

The YEC is looking at partnering with Western Nevada College to provide classes at the site and Churchill County Library will also provide a library of entrepreneurial resource books.