Evolution

Head: Fully functional coworking space now in Logan

By Judd Workman

A new local business, Habitat Logan, is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Habitat Logan is a coworking space where customers can purchase a monthly membership in order to have access to an “office-style” environment.

Rick Champlin, the founder of Habitat, spearheaded the business idea after his past experiences using a coworking space.

“I noticed my productivity went way up,” Champlin said. “There is a lot more collaboration that goes on that helps people be more successful.”

The newly constructed building located at 165 W. 1600 North is fully furnished with a kitchen, four offices, a conference room, couches, desks, a ping pong table and high-end networking equipment.

Kirk Jensen, the economic development director for Logan City, is excited to see what this business can add to Cache Valley.

“I think the services they’re offering are needed and I think it’s going to create great opportunities for entrepreneurs,” Jensen said. “We’ve seen it in other cities and hopefully it’s one that takes root here in Logan.”

Champlin said there have been a few attempts at opening a coworking space in Cache Valley, but to his knowledge there is currently nothing like Habitat in Logan. Champlin has been working on this idea for more than two years.

“The ones that have tried to do it didn’t really invest anything into it,” Champlin said. “They just rented out a space and that was it. They didn’t make it look nice.”

Champlin said he has made an effort to make Habitat a very appealing and modern office space.

Jensen said he wasn’t aware of any business model like Habitat that was successful in the valley, but hopes that will change.

“Cache Valley is notoriously slow at adopting new business ideas,” Champlin said. “We just need to educate our market. Then when we get a crowd in here we can maintain a positive culture and continue to grow.”