by: Rich Hefty, a fan of good coffee, great conversation, useless knowledge, and clever turns of phrase.

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With the remarkable economic growth happening in and around Greenville, a diverse workforce is taking shape. And while traditional companies and corporations still have their place in the Upstate, technology has made it increasingly simple for freelancers, contractors, nonprofit leaders, and small business owners to launch ventures of their own. Many of these fledgling companies require a professional setting to conduct business, but the costs of leasing conventional office space can be prohibitive. Co-work spaces are seeking to solve that problem.

By offering lower financial commitments, trendy environments, and the opportunity for social interaction with likeminded individuals, co-working spaces provide an attractive alternative for innovative business models. And given its shining reputation as a business incubator for knowledge-based businesses, it makes sense that Greenville is seeing a growth in non-traditional work environments. But one co-work space, in particular, is hoping to make an impact that extends beyond the industrial-style surroundings of its workspace.

Not Your Average Office Space

Located in a renovated warehouse on the edge of Greenville’s historic Nicholtown community, the Eleos Co-Op seems an unlikely setting for a shared workspace. While it offers modern business essentials like Wi-Fi, printers, conference facilities, and locally-roasted coffee, the facility was purposefully designed to bridge a gap and build community among those who may not otherwise cross paths. To encourage a sense of collaboration, the space also serves as a tutoring and mentoring center for middle school and high school students in the neighborhood.

The Co-Op began as a community development initiative organized by Cam and Joy Hill, Nicholtown residents and the founders of Eleos, a Greenville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As the Hills and the Eleos volunteer team spent time building relationships with students and families in the neighborhood, they quickly saw the need for a shared space where anyone would feel welcome—from students and parents to church leaders and professionals.

“We wanted to create a truly shared space where people from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds can share life with one another and develop meaningful friendships along the way,” said Hill. “We know and believe that diversity matters, and we’re happy to provide a space that cultivates that reality for the sake of the community that we love and care about.”