There's a new hub for small businesses in Somerset County to collaborate

SOMERVILLE – The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has opened its Somerset Business Hub, a multi-conference room space designed to be used by small businesses.

The idea for the business hub was born when the SCBP staff saw the lack of meeting space for small businesses as they began to downsize after the pandemic according to President/CEO Chris Edwards.

The hub, open around the clock during the week, is open to all county businesses whether or not they belong to the Somerset County Partnership.

One holds up to 50 people for any type of event or meeting.

The other conference room holds between four and six people and is suited for small meetings or one-on-ones.

The hub, located in downtown Somerville at 50 Division St., at the corner of Division Street and Veterans Memorial Drive.

Every aspect of the project was also completed by local companies, according to Edwards.

Whether it was the painting job or the cubicles for their employees, everything was purchased or serviced from Somerset County businesses, he said.

The opening attracted more than 300 businesses to see the space, Edwards said.

At first, the Partnership planned only two opening sessions, but the response prompted the Partnership to increase the number to five sessions.

Any business which wants to use the space may reserve through the link on the SCBP website or contact Member Experience Coordinator Jackie Highland.

According to Highland, businesses have already started to make bookings throughout the rest of the year for both rooms.

The larger room is equipped with an audio-visual system that includes three cameras and allows events to be livestreamed or recorded.

The Partnership hopes to turn the smaller room into a podcast studio, allowing small businesses to rent the room and use the equipment to create a podcast.

The Partnership also hopes to launch its own podcast, Edwards said

The business hub will host 10-12 of its own events a month, helping small businesses learn new skills, said Edwards.

This, Edwards hopes, will give the the Partnership more of a business education role in the community, instead of a networking role.

Ethan Mannello: EMannello@mycentraljersey.com