Owner of Connect Coworx: Office spaces are places of networking and inspiration
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visits Connect Coworx in downtown Marion
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Connect Coworx in Marion on Thursday
Mike DeWine remembered a few things Thursday as he and his wife, Fran, visited a new coworking space in downtown Marion.
“Forty-two years ago, we were looking for office here in Marion,” said Ohio’s 70th governor. “I had just been elected as a congressman from this district.”
At the time, Marion was located in the northern part of Ohio’s 7th congressional district, making the Buckeye State’s 39th largest city a prime location for the young politician’s headquarters.
“Our office was fine, but if this had been available here,” DeWine told the owner of Connect Coworx with a smile, “we would be here.”
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Historic building houses futuristic plans
Luke Henry told the governor that he grew up in north central Ohio and has been working to revitalize downtown Marion for nearly a decade.
“From the beginning, I dreamed of having a coworking space as part of this,” said Henry. “A place to connect, inspire and equip local dreamers and doers so these people can start and grow businesses that in turn help our local economy.”
His company, Henry Development Group, received a planning grant from Jobs Ohio, which allowed him to ensure the project’s success before purchasing land.
Once the plan was finalized, the visionary decided to purchase 181 E. Center Street, the longtime home of the Marion Star.
“This was once the site of Fahey Bank, Marion’s oldest bank, dating back to 1865,” Henry said.
Offices and conference rooms available part-time
Connect Coworx provides a space where entrepreneurs can build businesses and hold professional meetings.
To date, the office’s lead clients have been Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services and Holbrook & Manter, CPAs-Marion. Other clients include attorneys, content creators and remote workers.
The first level features large, open spaces designed for collaboration, and the upper floor features converted apartments that have been converted into conference rooms.
The venue includes open kitchens, private offices, meeting rooms, desks, conference rooms and an outdoor area available for a monthly fee.
The building is located near numerous food, beverage and retail stores in downtown Marion.
For more information about the space, the company, and available membership and rental options, visit connectcoworx.com.
“The inner cities of these communities are coming back”
The historic venue reminded the state governor of the important role each city plays in the country’s history.
One of those stories began a century and a half ago, when Warren G. Harding was born in Blooming Grove, an unincorporated community in Morrow County near Richland and Crawford counties.
Harding was a newspaperman who bought the Marion Star early on. He eventually became the state’s lieutenant governor and defeated Ohio Governor James Cox in 1920 to become the 29th President of the United States.
“Every time I drive to Marion, I think of the Harding Memorial, I think of the Harding Home,” DeWine said. “This place, with this history with the Marion Star, I think is very special.”
This is a foundation that can move Ohio forward in the decades to come.
“We’re seeing something in the last few years that we haven’t seen in a long time,” DeWine said. “The downtowns of these communities are recovering and they’re recovering very, very strongly.”
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