Business incubators have been around for a long time.

The idea of small businesses sharing office space to help defray costs is a solid one.

Had the pleasure of attending the launch of Hubspace in Prince George Friday. Hubspace is essentially a business incubator, but it’s a lot more than a few businesses sharing a photocopier. It’s called co-working and the idea is that tenants do more than share space, they share expertise. In other words, they help each other out. Talking with some of the tenants of the new Hubspace, that’s already happening.

Hubspace, located in the old bank building on Third and Quebec (mostly recently Homeworks) is “5,500 square feet of open space concept style that will house everything from freelancers, independent contractors, ‘solopreneurs’ and multi-staffed start-ups. There will be events and community gatherings as well as services available for early stage companies, non-profits, community groups, and social enterprises. The goal of the Hubspace is to build an innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial community in Prince George.”

And most importantly,  it has some solid backers in the city to make sure it workers. One of the challenges of business incubators is, like any other business, paying the rent as entrepreneurs come and go.

Innovation Central Society and StartupPG are the lead organizations involved, with advisory help from Integris, Telus, Overhang Education Centre, Conifex, Canfor, and Metrologic Software.

While macroeconomics often dominates news headlines and governments wax on about job creation, this is where the rubber really hits the road. There are even some who believe trickle down economics works.

Hubspaces, and other such enterprises, are the exact opposite of trickle down economics. They are where real job creation occurs. It’s creating wealth at the local, community level. That’s where it dos the most good.

Where the Hubspace does some good is that it really helps some of these small businesses and/or entrepreneurs. They can rent space by the month or by the day. Sometimes all that’s needed is a meeting space or a desk to use.

Others, such as three local businesses, can choose to use Hubspace as their permanent home. Sometimes those businesses will outgrow Hubspace, and that’s a good thing.

Whatever the use, the entire motivation behind Hubspace is to help local small businesses thrive. That support may be by providing low-cost office space, but more likely comes in the form of mentoring local entrepreneurs.

If you happen to be downtown, check out the Hubspace operation. It’s worth taking a look.

Bill Phillips is a freelance columnist living in Prince George. He was the winner of the 2009 Best Editorial award at the British Columbia/Yukon Community Newspaper Association’s Ma Murray awards, in 2007 he won the association’s Best Columnist award. In 2004, he placed third in the Canadian Community Newspaper best columnist category and, in 2003, placed second. He can be reached at billphillips1@mac.com