Business hub’s first year a big success

Movers and shakers across Port Hedland are gearing up to celebrate the first anniversary of a state-of-the-art building that has transformed the landscape of the town’s business community.

After seven years of planning, the multimillion-dollar WEB Business Hub opened last October, offering organisations rental office and event spaces in a professional and modern setting.

The facility, managed by the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has seen seven companies permanently relocate under the one roof and hosted a range of popular events, including the recent Catalyst program, similar to idea-pitching TV show Shark Tank.

A cake will be cut in recognition of a successful first year of operation tomorrow at an invitation-only event at the venue.

PHCCI executive officer Michelle Scott said the hub had so far surpassed all expectations.

“The vision was always to create a more professional office environment for people, which started seven years ago when people could not get office or meetings spaces,” she said.

“It has certainly been of benefit to the business community.

“It has opened up the level of collaboration and offered them something that is very different than anywhere else in Hedland.

“The demand has been high for spaces and it has over-achieved what we would have hoped it would have by now.”

As well as large office spaces, the WEB hub allows people to hire private desks with computers, providing the opportunity to work or study at the centre.

Ms Scott said this had increased the number of people who would normally work from home getting more involved in the business community. “They are now working in a professional space and surrounded by other businesses,” she said. “The benefits of this are that it involves them more with other companies and helps continue to build this vibrant business community.”

The facility, designed by Perth-based builder Whitehaus, was highly commended at the Australian Institute of Architects’ WA Awards earlier this year.

The State Government contributed $2 million towards it, with remaining funds from BHP ($1.9 million) and PHCCI ($425,000).