FUSE Coworking becomes popular option for Lincoln's remote workers

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LINCOLN - If you haven't heard of the concept of "coworking" you aren't alone. However, the idea of a sharing a common office space with others, who aren't co-workers, is rapidly growing in the Cornhusker state.

Take FUSE Coworking for example. What started out as a few offices above The Mill coffee shop in Lincoln's Haymarket has expanded to a full-fledged operation, occupying 20,000 square feet on the fifth floor of the Salvation Army Building at 8th and P.

So what's allowed this Silicon Valley concept to take off so quickly in Nebraska's capital? According to FUSE Founder Robert Hinrichs the increase in remote jobs due to advancing technology is a major factor.

"Technology has advanced to a point where people who work in the kind of field that I work in, can choose where to live, and work where they like practically," Hinrichs said.

Hinrichs says working from home can be great for some, but that remote workers can experience isolation. Coworking not only solves that problem, but can even enhance the experience and productivity of the remote worker.

"Part of what was foreseen is that things get done differently now than they used to," Hinrichs said. "The way of work in the 21st century is much more around project-based work, people finding each other, working together, a combination of different skills, so we seek to facilitate that."

News Channel Nebraska Radio News Anchor Michael Shively experiences the benefits of coworking as one of nearly 150 members at FUSE, and feels that coworking, and the conveniences it provides, could spread to communities throughout Nebraska.

"People work remotely everywhere and my guess is they were like me where they were craving some social interaction, where they were craving some collaboration on ideas, some exchanging of ideas, and they can get that in spaces like this," Shively said. "I could see this expanding around the state."

Coworking is also being used by employers as a cost-effective way to expand operations. Shively explains how the Norfolk-based statewide media company has taken advantage of the popular concept.

"Maybe we one day want to add a couple reporters here, but it doesn't quite rationalize getting an office," Shively said. "This would allow us to get desk space, studio space, without having to rent out an entire office. We can just lease a dedicated desk here at FUSE and that would be a way better value for our company than if we decided to open our whole own storefront."

What brought FUSE to Lincoln was Hinrichs' longing to experience the midwestern lifestyle in his hometown while combating the isolation of working from home. He solved that problem in the capital city and believes more communities will grow if coworking spaces are created to accommodate remote workers.

"I think culturally, as well in a community, it's important to welcome those people in the way that they work, and encourage people to move ahead in the way that they work," Hinrichs concluded.