If Portland can do it, why can't we??

[Pat Coyle]

Jon Speer set off a vibrant E mail thread yesterday when he sent out this article and asked the recipients a simple question, "Why can't we do this in Indiana?" A great discussion ensued, but since it was on E mail, only those on the list could participate. We thought we'd invite Smaller Indiana to chime in...

The article Jon sent tells the story of an initiative called TechShop, which is making a ruckus in Portland. Here's a sample:

"Housed in a 33,000-square-foot warehouse in Beaverton, TechShop is a Willy Wonka-like headquarters for inventors and hobbyists that gives its members access to spendy tools most garages don’t have, from $15,000 laser cutters and smelting equipment to an $8,000 tungsten inert gas welder used to weld stainless steel. It also offers space for storage and offices for companies working on test projects, as well as member- and employee-taught public classes on everything from robotics to welding.

TechShop only opened last month, but the day I visited the warehouse was already buzzing with the sounds of industry. It’s only the third shop of its kind in the United States—joining the original TechShop in Menlo Park, Calif., and a recent addition in Durham, N.C.—but the Portland branch is growing fast, with 110 members so far."

Please read the article to get a better sense of what TechShop is all about, and then offer your thoughts...why can't we have a TechShop in Indiana? Share your opinions here

[Jack Pincus]

Many regions have tried to change their state-of-mind and culture without success. I always ask clients why they believe they can achieve a goal using the an appraoch that has failed for others. If you want to change a culture or state-of-mind, you have to posit what you would do differently and why you believe it would succeed.

[Joe Dager]

Thanks very much Scott, I thought your information was great. I did not mean to make it sound like a few hand tools thrown around to be anything other than, there has to be qualified people or training to take place to run and utilize sophisticated equipment.

I do believe collaboration will be a very important role in the future with not only the "Tech Shop" but many other business ventures of the future. Step on my toes all you want, I enjoy learning and if I do not challenge, I learn little. I will take the time to investigate more, your idea is intriguing! I still have questions on the viability but that is just me being a numbers guy.

And by the way, if it has not been done, I for one believe that is a great reason to do it!

[Scott Saxon]

At the risk of sounding like I am promoting TechShop again, I will answer your comments by saying we offer classes on jsut about everything in the building. We hire people to maintain the equipment.

I too have questions, but not about the viability. I have a saying around here. "We turn roadblocks into speed bumps." This is a startup. We do not have all the answers. We are adjusting as we go.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Scott Saxon]

PS: Sorry about the no picture. I didn't think I was going to be here so long (:^)

[Jon D. Speer]

Is anyone else tired of hearing "we can't"? Is anyone willing to help me figure out how we can?

[Jason Moriber]

I'm with you on the "we can." There is a lot to do, but it takes a great deal of time if not $ and many folks I speak with are scampering for revenues right now and can't offer the time. It will take a team effort (real estate, materials, know-how). It can be started small and grown over time?

[John Uhri]

Milwaukee has a similar space called Bucketworks

[Jason Moriber]

Hi All,

I'm adding my voice again to this thread. I'm a new Hoosier, moving here from NY 1.5 years ago. I've attempted to set-up a co-work space, and still do try, and it's less about interest in the idea (lots of people are interested) and more about infrastructure (where to put it so everyone interested can get there easily). I'm glad to find this network as it might spark and then ignite the ideas to grow.

Indy is very decentralized, both in where businesses root and how people communicate. Ideally the leadership (Mayor?) would set an entrepreneurial agenda that directly relates to the urban environment (example: setting up tax incentives for small businesses to move downtown, or near the stadium/convention center). By arranging clusters of activity the city could nurture an environment. Other than govt leadership you need visionaries with $. Individuals who see the dream an build it. Ironically most of the people who need/want co-work or shared resource spaces don't have the capital to do invest in them or else they wouldn't need them.

I believe this lack of infrastructure holds Indy back from being an even greater/richer city. There is amazing potential here, and a strong interest in entrepreneurship/start-ups but I'm learning these ambitious folks split town to greener pastures (Chicago, NY, San Francisco) rather than struggle against the infrastructure.

[Jon D. Speer]

Jason - Contact me. I just received an email from a friend who might be able to help on this very topic.

[PK Koduri]

Jon - These are topics that I have been thinking about for a while and one big reason why Lou Begnel (also on Smaller Indiana) started a group called FEBE a while back. Looks like there are enough people that would be interested in getting together to brainstorm and mobilize. How about we all get together somewhere and have a frank discussion?

[Jon D. Speer]

Okay.
Damn! Lou knows everyone!

[PK Koduri]

Lou's the Glue! WOW I am going to trademark that and may be sell T-Shirts!