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PRESS RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Lewis Howell, lewisbhowell@gmail.com, 541-480-7267

Robert Kieffer, Robert@broofa.com, 541-728-3274

Ruth Lindley, ruth@edcoinfo.com, 541-388-3236

Central Oregon’s Tech Alliance brokers community office space for tech sector
Dedicated space offers a collaborative environment for tech professionals and startups

BEND, Oregon, March 11, 2010 – Central Oregon’s Tech Alliance announced today the launch of TechSpaceBend (www.techspacebend.com), Central Oregon‘s first coworking environment for tech professionals and startup organizations. The project is in partnership with The Old Cigar Building, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), the Bend Venture Conference (BVC), and BendTech, a local MeetUp group.

TechSpace is available now at the Old Cigar Building, just off Greenwood on Harriman Avenue, in the heart of downtown Bend. The building became available when G5 Search Marketing relocated their expanding operation to Franklin Crossing in February.

“With easy access to and from Highway 97,” said Roger Lee, Executive Director of EDCO, “TechSpace’s ideal location is easy walking distance to Bend’s many restaurants and businesses, Drake Park, the Public Library, and just one block from EDCO’s offices.”

With a hip, industrial feeling, the Old Cigar Building offers an open lounge, private offices, low-walled desk areas, bar stool and café seating, and a conference room (created from the original occupant’s cigar humidor). Local art, revolving every few months, will lend a creative feeling to the office’s atmosphere. The Old Cigar Building will participate in the First Friday Art Walk, on April 2nd.

TechSpaceBend combines low cost office spaces with high value services in an informal and collaborative environment. Space commitments are available on a flexible basis by month, multi-month, or annually and include the services mentioned below:

§ Dedicated space

o two dedicated office spaces ($400
per month) and

o six workdesks ($150 per month)

§ Drop-in space

o four workdesks, three bar seats, and two lounge seats ($75 per month)

Services include fast Internet service sponsored by Bend Broadband, conference room privileges, 24×7 secure building access, an onsite printer/copier, and sponsored events.

“For some time, there’s been a need for communal tech space that’s affordable,” said Dan Hobin, CEO of G5 Search Marketing and co-owner of the Old Cigar Building. “There’s enormous value in having a nexus – an activity hub – that draws the tech community together for ad hoc collaboration.”

TechSpace is considered a “coworking” environment - meaning that it offers virtual workers, telecommuters, and entrepreneurs an alternative to traditional office space or a home office. By design, the structure of the building promotes collaboration, networking and sharing of resources.

“By combining seasoned entrepreneurs with early stage companies, organic growth can occur,” said Lewis Howell, Practice Director for Cinetix Solutions, Tech Alliance board member, and organizer for Central Oregon Information Systems User Group (COISUG).  “We can actively promote the cross pollination of people and ideas, which will result in innovation for the continued growth of Bend’s tech community.”

“TechSpace was created by the tech community for the community,” said Robert Kieffer, organizer of BendTech, a telecommuter with a Bay Area technology company, and co-lead with Lewis Howell to broker TechSpaceBend.  “We’ll work with all the local tech organizations to sponsor events, provide meeting areas, and to give back financially when possible. The Old Cigar Building will help make it easier for everyone to get together and network.”

Any technology companies or professionals interested in becoming a TechSpace sponsor/partner should visit www.techspacebend.com to learn more.

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About Central Oregon’s Tech Alliance

The Tech Alliance represents the interests of member businesses and user groups in promoting and providing support to the growing Central Oregon technology community. For more information on the Tech Alliance, please visit www.techallianceco.org or contact Ric Newberry.

About EDCO

Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded 29 years ago and dedicated to building a thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. Learn more about EDCO at www.edcoinfo.com.

About BendTech

BendTech is a user group for Central Oregon technology professionals founded 3 years ago with the goal of creating a stronger, more coherent, tech community by providing networking and educational opportunities both online and offline. Learn more at http://www.meetup.com/bendtech/

About Old Cigar Building

The Old Cigar Building LLC is owned by Dan Hobin and Greg Meier, co-founders of G5 Search Marketing.  The Old Cigar Building is a separate enterprise; see photos at
http://www.facebook.com/OldCigar?v=wall