15 August 2011

The Avondale City Council approved two agreements to bring Gangplank, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, to its historic district. As part of the lease agreement, Gangplank will occupy the former Avondale City Hall building. The city council also approved a professional services agreement with Gangplank to manage and operate the facility on behalf of the city, and to provide learning and networking opportunities for area small businesses.

“For the past two years, Avondale’s economic development team has been researching incubator/workplace options to grow entrepreneurs and small businesses,” explained Dan Davis, Economic Development director for the City of Avondale. Through this research, Avondale connected with Gangplank, which has had tremendous success in growing and launching small businesses in Chandler.

Gangplank Avondale will provide West Valley small businesses - primarily focused in technology fields such as software, web design, and gaming - the opportunity to work in an open and collaborative environment without the overhead costs associated with opening a business.

“Gangplank defines itself as a group of connected individuals and small businesses creating an economy of innovation and creativity in the Valley. We envision a new economic engine comprised of collaboration and community,” said Derek Neighbors, Gangplank HQ co-founder. “These partnerships are crucial in moving this vision forward and we are excited to have Avondale on board.”

Avondale agreed to lease its old City Hall for $1 a year, and committed $60,000 annually for services to assist small-businesses in the area. For its part, Gangplank will:

• Host weekly evening events that connect entrepreneurs and the technology workforce to network, share and launch new ideas to grow technology companies in Avondale.
• Provide a monthly educational series focusing on relevant topics to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Hosting at least 10 programs per year for students to encourage real world, hands on learning about career paths in the creative and technical fields.

For more information, contact Sammi Curless from the City of Avondale Economic Development Department at (623) 333-1412 or visit gangplankhq.com .