A project that initially started last year is coming to fruition this year in Jefferson.

Gravitate is a co-working business that provides space for individuals who work remotely, freelancers or entrepreneurs the ability to do their work and conduct meetings. Co-Founder Geoff Wood held an initial meeting in June of 2019 and at the most recent Jefferson City Council meeting on June 9th, Wood expressed his interest in opening his third location at 202 East State Street, next to Heartland Bank. Wood believes that working remotely has become and will continue to be a necessity.

“It’s only going to be more important as we try to recover from the public health crisis that was COVID-19. As people start to go back to work, they are going to stay remote, we’re pretty sure. So if your job is in New York, or Des Moines, or Boone and you happen to be living in Jefferson you’re still going to want to find places that you can plug into, and community hubs to do that. We think that co-working is ready to be that type of place.”

Jefferson City Administrator Mike Palmer says the City currently owns the corner building on East State Street with part of it leased to Heartland Bank at 200 East State Street and Gravitate is looking to enter into a two-year lease agreement. Palmer notes the City is currently renovating the space for Gravitate and with expenses to be added into the lease agreement price. Palmer reflects on the development that’s happened in that block.

“Just thinking how much that whole block has changed just in the last few years. We had a bunch of empty buildings and now we have The Forge, Gravitate and Heartland Bank all there.”

Palmer says the agreement will be considered by the City Council at a future meeting.