Work Outdoors This Spring in Bellefonte

BELLEFONTE — With temperatures slowly inching higher and the summer months getting closer, one coworking space in Bellefonte is making it possible for people to comfortably work outside and enjoy the nice weather.

The popularity of coworking spaces in recent years has increased as virtual careers have become more common. In August 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that roughly one in five workers teleworked or worked from home. For those looking to get out of the house for a few hours to work, a coworking space provides the resources needed to accomplish work tasks and be surrounded by community.

Located at the Historic Bellefonte Train Station, Bellefonte’s outdoor coworking space has tables, chairs, Wi-Fi, outlets and more for remote workers. However, this opportunity only became available in recent years from a collaborative effort between Downtown Bellefonte Inc. and the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Downtown Bellefonte Inc. prioritizes collaboration with the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce, especially since we serve much of the same audience. Each organization has a representative serving on the other organization’s board of directors,” Ellen Matis, vice president of the board for Downtown Bellefonte Inc., explained.

“When the idea for outdoor coworking was first discussed years ago, the executive director at the time, Gary Hoover, suggested that the train station might be a great fit because of the existing access to Wi-Fi and coverage from the sun and elements under the roof there. Since then, both organizations have worked together to maintain and promote the opportunity.” 

SpringBoard, a coworking and community space powered by Downtown Bellefonte Inc., provides workspaces for virtual workers and support for entrepreneurs with its small-business innovation center.

“For the majority of users (of SpringBoard’s coworking spaces), the biggest benefit is being able to get out of the house,” Matis said. “A lot of members and drop-in users are working remotely from their homes, and that environment is not always ideal for taking a meeting with a client or even just staying focused and productive.”

Other benefits to coworking spaces include helping workers save on office rental costs, providing reliable internet and connecting workers with other community members.

“There’s a certain camaraderie to coworking that a lot of users love,” Matis said. “SpringBoard has a lot of educational events that bring community members together, as well as happy hours and member meetups for a chance for members to get to know the people they work alongside better.”