What's Happening in Newark, NJ…

Equal Square in downtown Newark is now open.

It is a co-working space on multiple floors on Board Street that spans 50,000 square feet. It was co-founded by Citi Medina. Medina said that this space was built for technology and innovation and to address the needs of larger companies. He added that that is also no space for getting together in the city so Equal Square has an event space that will hold 300 people and will be able to host events and symposiums.

Medina said that although many people are now working from home, companies have found that this presents a lack of boundaries for their employees and people want to be part of a community. Such new spaces often turn to flyer printing to promote their benefits and attract new businesses as tenants.

Equal Space is supported by the Business Attraction Program of Audible, which supports innovative companies looking to relocate or expand to Newark with a focus on founders who are people of color or women. Each company that joins the program receives close to $250,000 in grants as well as stipends for shopping and living in the city.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority also awarded Equal Space a grant of just over $2 million that was part of additional funding of $15.3 million for other projects that included an urban agricultural center, an expansion of New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and restaurants.