Smithville to help support Purdue’s coworking spaces in West Lafayette and southern Indiana

March 5, 2018

NEWS RELEASE March 6, 2018 Smithville to help support Purdue’s coworking spaces in West Lafayette and southern Indiana ODON, Ind. – Smithville Fiber and Communications officials announce that they will help fund Purdue Research Foundation’s coworking spaces, paving the way for continued entrepreneurial growth at Purdue Research Park’s main campus in West Lafayette, Indiana and in WestGate@Crane Technology Park in Odon, Indiana. Purdue Railyard, located in the Herman and Heddy Kurz Purdue Technology Center at Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Indiana has more than 26,000 square feet and is one of the largest coworking spaces in the country. “Collaborative ecosystems are essential to drive innovation,” said Alicia South-Hurt, community manager for the Purdue Railyard. “Though the Purdue Railyard has been open for less than one year, we’ve seen the broad impact a cospace has on the existing high-tech culture at the park.” South-Hurt says Smithville’s contribution shows its commitment to grow technology and business throughout the state. “Building these relationships and connections means creating a community and space to foster communication and innovation,” she said. “It doesn’t happen overnight, and Smithville’s support will help enhance an environment where members, tenants, faculty, students and community members can collaborate in meaningful ways.” Membership in the Purdue Research Park gives users access across Purdue Research Foundation’s six park locations as well as at WestGate Academy. “With WestGate’s coworking space included in the Purdue Research Park network, WestGate innovators have more opportunities for success,” said Alexandria Hancock, events manager for Purdue@WestGate. “Members here at WestGate can now easily collaborate with researchers at Purdue.” Hancock said funding from Smithville will allow the creation of new programs, improve existing amenities and provide more entrepreneurial events. “Smithville is providing WestGate with the resources entrepreneurs and startups need in southern Indiana,” said Hancock. “This funding will establish a truly collaborative space in southern Indiana that innovators can call home.” About Purdue Railyard Purdue Railyard is one of the largest coworking facilities in the nation with more than 26 thousand square feet of cooperative work space. The Railyard, nestled in the Kurz Purdue Technology Center at Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a great asset to both cospace members and park tenants. With 160 companies in the park, cospace members have access to collaborate with other fully established businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The Railyard provides a truly diverse space to forge these partnerships by merging experts from across industries, fields, and disciplines. The Railyard provides the entrepreneurial community a place to meet, network, hold events, use conference space, eat, or drink coffee. For more information, visit Purdue Railyard. About Purdue@WestGate Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The Indiana-based collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit Purdue@WestGate.

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Writer: Sarah K. Miller, 812-863-2756, skmiller@prf.org Sources: Alicia South-Hurt, 765-588-3368, ABSouth-Hurt@prf.org Alexandria Hancock, 812-863-2757, arhancock@prf.org