Pocatello to see new business center

Pocatello will soon see new office space, but it’s not for any specific business. It’s called the Business Collaboration and Innovation Center.

It’s an initiative by the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, a non-profit that houses the Area Agency on Aging and also works on economic development.

Kathleen Lewis, executive director of SICOG said this center will bring a boost to our local economy. With a smart board, large meeting area and lots of coffee, she said the BCIC has everything need to make an idea come to life.

“We’ll be bringing together different small entrepreneurs and different ideas,” Lewis said, “and trying to connect those and see what we can spin out of that idea.”

Lewis said this center is multi-purpose, which can lead to numerous outcomes. She said they have worked to make it low cost for businesses interested in the center for several reasons.

“That’s one of the things we’re trying to do,” said Scott Stephens, manager of the BCIC. “Without subsidizing businesses or without subsidizing entrepreneurs, we wanted to be able to provide something low cost that would allow them to be able to enter the market.”

Stephens said he’ll also be on hand to help the groups using the center.

“This could turn into something that could not just be marketed to people working out of home or want a low cost work environment,” he said, “but to others types of professionals and businesses.”

A day pass is $8, and a month’s membership is $150. Lewis and Stephens said they’re hoping to get at least 20 memberships before they open.

“We’re excited to see this growing and we see a lot of interest,” Lewis said. “We’re pushing very hard to get this moving by the first of the year.

Because SICOG is a non-profit organization, they are hoping folks interested will be willing to donate some funds to help them reach their goal of about $5,000 to make the space the most it can be.