Hi everyone! It’s Juliana again writing from the Community Empowerment Fund. I can’t believe we’re already halfway through our time here in Durham, it has gone by so fast!
Today, during reflection time, the group headed to downtown Durham to explore one of the city’s little known treasures, the American Underground. This growing hub for entrepreneurial activity houses many exciting new startups and small businesses. Small offices line the perimeter of the space, occupied by individual companies. Designed for excitement and to inspire creativity, the space has fun props spanning the premises including scooters and trampolines for workers to use in order to relax during breaks. To head downstairs, workers have the option of sliding down a steep yellow slide in the middle of the office. What separates the American Underground from other work spaces is not only its fun atmosphere, but its unique payment system. The American Underground allows companies to renew their leases monthly instead of signing on to a yearlong commitment, enabling many companies to obtain offices that would not have the chance to otherwise. This flexible system has allowed many successful businesses to grow and flourish.
The American Underground embodies the theme of the week of Economic and Community Development. The American Underground does not attempt to earn a profit from the companies it houses, and in fact only aims to breakeven. Instead, like many of the nonprofit organizations we are working for, it is really interested in the growth of the economic community. The American Underground is truly one of the hidden treasures of Durham.
Today, during reflection time, the group headed to downtown Durham to explore one of the city’s little known treasures, the American Underground. This growing hub for entrepreneurial activity houses many exciting new startups and small businesses. Small offices line the perimeter of the space, occupied by individual companies. Designed for excitement and to inspire creativity, the space has fun props spanning the premises including scooters and trampolines for workers to use in order to relax during breaks. To head downstairs, workers have the option of sliding down a steep yellow slide in the middle of the office. What separates the American Underground from other work spaces is not only its fun atmosphere, but its unique payment system. The American Underground allows companies to renew their leases monthly instead of signing on to a yearlong commitment, enabling many companies to obtain offices that would not have the chance to otherwise. This flexible system has allowed many successful businesses to grow and flourish.
The American Underground embodies the theme of the week of Economic and Community Development. The American Underground does not attempt to earn a profit from the companies it houses, and in fact only aims to breakeven. Instead, like many of the nonprofit organizations we are working for, it is really interested in the growth of the economic community. The American Underground is truly one of the hidden treasures of Durham.