Southern Dallas is getting a new collaborative community space to support small businesses thanks to Comerica Bank.
Earlier this month Comerica Bank unveiled plans to build the new Comerica BusinessHQ, which will provide a collaborative space and integral services.
Comerica Bank will be transforming the first floor of its building located at 5201 E. R.L. Thornton to become a unique community resource.
The goal of the new Comerica BusinessHQ is to address capital, cultivation, and connectivity in order to promote continued growth in a small business.
“Comerica has long been invested in the South Dallas community, and we are taking our commitment a step further with the creation of Comerica BusinessHQ,” said Irvin Ashford, Jr., Comerica Bank’s Chief Community Officer. “It is imperative that we help provide solutions to the challenges facing entrepreneurs in this footprint.”
The 8,000-square-foot area will feature free, temporary workspaces with high-speed Wi-Fi, printing/scanning capabilities, video conferencing rooms, and spaces with equipment for small-scale content creation.
However, not just any small business will be able to benefit from the new building and resources, and a strict vetting process will be instituted, according to Comerica Bank.
“To ensure this initiative is truly community-driven, we plan to empower our broad network of strategic community partners to facilitate programming and assist in identifying small businesses for BusinessHQ opportunities,” said the project lead, Regional External Affairs Manager Brandon Q. Jones.
“The key findings from our community-based focus groups and meetings with local leaders, stakeholders, and small business owners, indicated we should focus on the following areas – technology and connectivity, access and security, and membership and exclusivity – to make the most impact as we continue to contribute to the Southern sector’s economic revitalization efforts,” Jones explained.
Overseeing the general operations of the center, including client scheduling, event planning, and membership operations, will be a Comerica BusinessHQ Success Manager.
The center expects to open in March 2023.