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.

(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!

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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.