A Tour of Iowa City Area Development Group's Co-Lab Space

Mark Nolte, president of the Iowa City Area Development Group, took out some time on Monday to show off the ICAD's new home in its business incubator and co-working space at 316 E. Court Street.

The business incubator, which has been scaling up activity since opening in December, joins Busy Iowa City as members of the now growing Corridor Coworking scene, but whereas Busy Iowa City caters more to independent contractors and small businesses, the Co-Lab can accommodate larger ventures with the office services it provides such as offering, printing, mailing, technology lockers, and a full time mailing address.

Nolte said the versatility allows the Co-Lab to be a source for businesses attempting to grow in the Corridor, based on the premise that innovation comes from working around creative people.

Here's a story about the Co-Working Space when it opened earlier this year from the Corridor Business Journal:

Iowa City Co-Lab Opens Its Doors (Corridor Business Journal, more details about the services and the pricing at the link)

For several years, the city of Iowa City has been working with the local business community to develop space to be used by freelancers and independent contractors to help grow their businesses and eventually, increase the city’s tax base. About two years ago, the city tasked the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD), with spearheading the project.

The Iowa City CoLab opened its doors this month.

“This was our dream. I’m excited. Once we get all the furniture, then it will be real,” said Mark Nolte, ICAD’s interim president. “What we’re really trying to do is build community.”

About 20 percent of the workforce is considered independent contractors, like freelancers and people who work remotely.