January 28, 2024 – A new central location for entrepreneurs, makers, and individuals developing their workforce skills is now open in Decatur.
The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for The Hub at 120 N Franklin on Thursday, introducing the community to a one-stop-shop for citizens who want to develop and grow their personal skills or business. The Hub is located on the second floor of the Decatur Public Library building, which is owned by the City of Decatur.
The space houses five organizations: Project Read Plus, Thinkwell Makerspace, Workforce Investment Solutions, Inc., the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur (CICD), and Everside Health Clinic (private health clinic).
In June 2022, the Decatur City Council approved a contract to renovate the partially-empty space of the library building, adding classrooms, offices, and other interior improvements. Most of the funding came from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies. Council members agreed the investment aligns perfectly with their priority goal of supporting workforce development. Additionally, the resources available for entrepreneurs and small businesses, as well as the synergy between the organizations, was a key reason for green lighting the project.
