Drawn together for Hub milestone

Port Hedland’s business community celebrated a significant milestone with the first anniversary of the town’s state-of-the-art Web Business Hub.

The facility was in the planning stage for seven years before it opened last October. It offers organisations rental office and event spaces in a professional setting.

The celebration was attended by a number of people and organisations including the Port Hedland Chamber of Commerce and Industry members and officials.

The festivities included a cake cutting and speeches from PHCCI president Peter Carter and Pilbara Development Commission committee member Therese Anderson.

The innovation hub, designed by Perth-based builder Whitehaus, received $2 million in funding from the State Government, with the remaining funds from BHP ($1.9 million) and the PHCCI ($425,000).

Since it opened, the site has been the venue for numerous events, including the Chambers’ Monthly Business after hours function as well as innovation-based events such as Govhack and the Catalyst program, based on the TV show Shark Tank.

PHCCI member Therese Anderson said the Hub has been vital for the development of small businesses in Port Hedland.

“It offers a space where businesses can come in and use the facilities if you are a small or mobile business; this gives you space where you can have meetings, interact with like-minded businesses and use the space for internet and printing,” she said.

Ms Anderson said the seven private offices have been tenanted consistently during the buildings’ first 12 months.

Ms Anderson said the future was bright for the Hub with its focus on innovation in business.

“The whole object is innovation and we have an advisory group with our key partners that looks at things business and Port Hedland need beyond normal business structures and resources,” she said.

“You’re talking about things such as technology hubs, advancements in visual displays for retail and real estate and so on.”

Ms Anderson said it was essential to allow school children to use the space and have access to technology to explore new ideas.