A new business center in Lisbon caters to entrepreneurs and creatives looking to network and grow their businesses.

Lisbon is a vibrant and emerging city with great potential for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, said Matt Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at the National Main Street Center, a nonprofit that helps revitalize neighborhoods older and more historic commercial centers for almost 40 years. .

The city and Ancient York Lodge 155 signed a memorandum of understanding in July to develop the Moxie Center after receiving a $ 60,000 grant last year from the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Downtown Center of the Maine Development Foundation.

The hub aims to create a stimulating ecosystem for local entrepreneurs and remote workers.

Wagner has conducted an analysis for the hub and has been supporting the entrepreneurship initiative for almost two years now in Lisbon. The study focused on micro-enterprises, remote workers, solopreneurs and workers in the odd-job economy. He also looked at various demand and funding models to better understand sustainability.

The study found that there was a demand for coworking space in Lisbon.

“Co-working spaces reflect the growth of remote workers, independent consultants, entrepreneurs in a neutral situation, micro-enterprises, workers in the odd-job economy. Most traditional coworking offices are spaces that share utilities and services, and often share equipment. Spaces allow workers and entrepreneurs to create their own space and preserve the environment, ”according to the study.

About 74% of the business activities in the city are carried out by local residents who started their businesses while they lived here and not by foreigners, Wagner told local business leaders at the open day.

Dr Matt Wagner, left, answers questions after his speech on Wednesday on how the proposed development at the Worumbo plant site in Lisbon can support entrepreneurs. From left to right, Kristal Robishaw of Grt Bakes, Maggie Barnard of Barnard Financial and Keena Tracy of Little Ridge Farm. The forum was held at the Moxie Hub, on the first floor of the Old York Lodge in Lisbon. Andree Kehn / Journal of the Sun

“Having a space like the Moxie hub that residents can use to test concepts, develop networks, educate themselves and learn about key concepts to run their business is essential,” said Wagner. “The important aspect of this project is that it uses the space that is already present here.”

Wagner added that it is important to explore the strengths of small towns as they are often overlooked.

“When we talk about economic development in small towns, people often ask how can we attract talent from outside and what can we entice to come here, but what is overlooked is what we have. already in our community, ”said Wagner. “When we think of small towns in rural economies, we often think that we can’t build the big high-tech hubs that campuses around the world have, but we underestimate our strengths that are present locally. “

Wagner said the hub is a great example of how people can make the most of a local asset with a kitchen, space for retail, good feasibility and a great leadership partner.

“I think this space has a much better chance of long-term sustainability and resilience because it has good partnerships and is multifunctional. I know there will be flexibility built in, ”said Wagner.

Rachel Legloahec, a private chef and Lisbon resident looking to use the hub’s kitchen space, said it was a great opportunity to grow her business.

“I work from home now, but I want to start meal preparation classes and I would use this kitchen space as much as possible,” said Legloahec. “I think that by having a bigger space, I can work more efficiently and take more clients. It makes things easier.

“The space can also be used to host bridal showers or harvest dinners where I can cook for them and showcase local food. We want to create this kitchen space to be something good for now, but it will be awesome for years to come, ”added Legloahec.

Maggie Norzon, owner of a local clothing store, said it was her first time visiting the center. She believes the hub will be a welcoming space for people who don’t know where to start and are looking for advice from other business owners.

“It’s a good space to accommodate pop-up shops,” Norzon said. “Maybe I could help plan some events here during the Christmas season and also help other businesses who want to move into the city.”

A holistic health and wellness fair will be held at the hub on October 2 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., in which ten vendors will participate.

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