Last week, I attended the grand opening of the Center for New Enterprise Opportunity (NEO), located in Lansing’s historic north side. Walking in the door, I had no idea what to expect. I’m creative, but entrepreneurship has never been my strongest suit. Would it be an office building with a slide, or would it be something more? I quickly discovered the answer was “something way, way more.”
I’ve heard people “poo poo” the project. These criticisms were mostly in the Lansing State Journal news comments, where niceties and reason go to die. This project brings excitement and revitalization to a neighborhood that needs just that. This amazing group of community-minded individuals turned an abandoned bakery into a hub of creative and intellectual activity. Points of interest include; the home base one of Lansing’s photographic gems, a building company that seems as focused on revitalization and pushing the city forward in a sustainable manner as it does about the bottom line, and bright open spaces for co-working and creative outlet as well as networking and support services for tenants past and present.
The founding members who were willing to take a huge chance to bring this project to fruition, I thank you. May your risk be a rich reward to the city of Lansing and those who love it.
