03 Sep Indiana Wesleyan partners with Launch Fishers to open Business Center in central Indiana
MARION, IN – Indiana Wesleyan University has partnered with Launch Fishers to establish The Refinery Business Center in Marion, Indiana. The Refinery will be a 6,000sf co-working space for entrepreneurs, non-profits, small businesses, students, and all other types of independent professionals. Marion native and founding partner, Shelby Bowen, said he believes The Refinery will be a great addition to the thriving entrepreneurial culture in central Indiana. “The Refinery team is excited to work with residents, students, and visitors, of all ages and trades,” said Bowen, “and to provide extraordinary local and state resources for entrepreneurs to continue to start and grow businesses in central Indiana.” The Refinery will offer co-working desks, conference rooms, private offices, Wi-Fi, a café area, patio seating, and other professional office amenities for members and guests as well as educational programming for new entrepreneurs. Bowen said the center will also house a large, versatile classroom intended for entrepreneurial-oriented youth and adult programming.
John Wechsler, founder of Launch Fishers and adviser on the project, said that Marion is a great place for an entrepreneurial center because of its central location between Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis, along with being the home to Indiana Wesleyan’s main campus. “Drawing on the strengths of proximity to major metro areas and university presence, The Refinery will be well-positioned to be a valued part of the Indiana Co-working Passport network.” Carol Brown, Associate Dean of Life Calling & Career, said the University continues to invest in initiatives that have a broad impact for their students and the communities they serve.” “Indiana Wesleyan University is eager to support economic development in Indiana by encouraging our students to work within communities to provide world-changing life experiences,” said Brown. Indiana Wesleyan plans to support the program in a variety of ways, including technical support, facilitating educational programs, university-to-business networking projects, and paid internships through the Lilly Endowment Grant, called “Accelerate Indiana.”
According to Bowen, The Refinery Business Center was made possible in large part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Grant County. “They have been a community partner in every sense of the word,” said Bowen. Dawn Brown, Executive Director of the Foundation, said The Refinery was another great way to further the mission of the Foundation. “The Refinery speaks to one of the Community Foundation’s core purposes, which is to connect people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact towards the betterment of Grant County,” said Brown.
The Refinery, located at 2301 S. Western Ave, is scheduled to open September 24th. You can learn more about The Refinery at www.therefinerycenter.com or by contacting Shelby Bowen at Shelby@therefinerycenter.com or (317) 670-7997.
About IWU: Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. The University, founded in 1920, is committed to global liberal arts and professional education. Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s main campus in Marion, Indiana. Nearly 12,500 adult learners attend classes at education centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and online.
About Launch Fishers: Launch Fishers is a launch pad for high-potential enterprises. Created by John Wechsler and Mayor Scott Fadness, Launch Fishers has grown to over 500 members in a wide array of industries ranging from startup to expansion-stage companies. More at www.LaunchFishers.com
About the Foundation: The Foundation is an advocate for local philanthropy and dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. Since 1984, the Foundation has been working with donors to establish charitable funds and has supported non-profit organizations through a variety of grantmaking efforts. Learn more at www.givetogrant.org