Next Phase of MLK City Hall Annex Expansion; Mayor Fulop & JCEDC Open Doors for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs with Launch of Jersey City’s First Coworking Space in Bergen-Lafayette Neighborhood
New Small Business Incubator Expands Access and Fosters Business Growth in Jersey City, Follows 4 Other Annex Buildings Transforming MLK Drive
JERSEY CITY, NJ—Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Jersey City’s Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) announce the launch of The Grapevine, the first coworking space on the southwest side of the city. Located at 398 MLK Drive, the new small business incubator is the latest expansion of critical city services at the City Hall Annex in Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. The coworking space is designed to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners, offering a modern and affordable workspace coupled with JCEDC resources to help them grow and thrive.
The relocation of JCEDC offices to the new space expands upon Mayor Fulop’s vision for a City Hall Annex in the heart of the community, establishing a one-stop hub for public-facing city services while driving much-needed investment into the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood.
"This latest extension of the City Hall Annex is a transformative addition for our Greenville and Bergen-Lafayette communities as we continue to make critical city services much more accessible to residents who need them most,” said Mayor Fulop. “With this new small business incubator and coworking space, we are taking our efforts a step further—opening doors for entrepreneurs and small business owners to expand their reach, access new opportunities, and collaborate in ways that were not accessible before."
The Grapevine was established to create an environment that nurtures relationships between businesses across various industries. The JCEDC will also partner with local community organizations to host a variety of training workshops, seminars, and networking events designed to help entrepreneurs succeed. These resources will focus on essential skills and strategies for small businesses, including marketing, financial management, and technology integration.
“The reason we called it The Grapevine is because the famous saying ‘I heard it through the grapevine’ is based on information being circulated through person-to-person interactions as a way to exchange information. That is exactly what we want to provide our small business owners and entrepreneurs here. To foster new connections and opportunities with this dynamic workspace and future workshops,” said Jennifer Moore, JCEDC’s Director of Business.
During today’s event, The Grapevine officially opened its doors alongside the relocation of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation offices, formerly home to Martin’s Place. Rosemary McFadden is a long-time JCEDC Chair. “At the JCEDC, our mission is to promote and assist businesses, and this new space reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities for our community, connecting small business owners with the tools, networks, and expertise they need to succeed.”
As part of Jersey City’s ongoing efforts to foster economic growth and innovation, The Grapevine provides a strategic, accessible location right next to the Light Rail with ample parking to ensure residents and entrepreneurs from across the city can easily tap into its resources.
“The JCEDC is a valuable resource for Jersey City businesses to succeed, and we want residents to capitalize on all they have to offer. By bringing the JCEDC to the Annex location, they are joining our Health Department, Affording Housing Division, Public Safety, Redevelopment Agency, and many other city assets that are key to our city’s overall success,” adds Council President Joyce Watterman.
"A special thank you to the JCEDC for understanding the small business population and stepping in to give us a phenomenal opportunity that many of us would have never been able to accomplish on our own," Detras Powell, Owner of “Washed and Made Whole,” shared at the ribbon-cutting event. "As a small startup business, the JCEDC has allowed our dreams and imaginations to become a reality. Not only did you allow us to have a real-life storefront, but you also ensured that we are equipped with the fundamentals and knowledge of being successful business owners."
Flexible membership options will accommodate businesses of all sizes and stages, with modern amenities that cater to today’s entrepreneurial needs. Members can rent desks, private offices, or utilize “hot desking,” which allows for first-come, first-served seating. Membership pricing ranges from $150-$600 a month. All prices are competitive with other coworking spaces.%20Game%20Room.jpg "Game Room")
Memberships include access to all of the available amenities, including:
- A game room for relaxation and team-building.
- Two fully equipped conference rooms.
- A podcasting studio, giving entrepreneurs access to the latest technology.
- A quiet room for focused work.
- A lounge area for informal meetings and collaboration.
- A fully stocked kitchen with coffee and tea included.
- On-site security.
Membership applications and additional information can be found on the newly revamped JCEDC website, www.JCEDC.org, which launches alongside the coworking space.
All media inquiries should be directed to Kim Wallace-Scalcione at [email protected].