The Hub Tailors to Community Needs

SEELEY LAKE - In an effort to fill a need for office space and services in the community, Rachel Jennings has opened The Hub in the Bison & Bear Center, Highway 83 in downtown Seeley Lake.

Jennings' goal is to offer an office with all the services for non-profit and for-profit businesses that do not have the resources to staff a full-time office. The Hub is also available for meeting space and offers customizable a la carte services to fit any organization including grant writing, reception services and storage.

Jennings moved to Seeley Lake in January of 2014. She came to stay with family while she studied for her legal Bar Exam.

"I fell in love with the valley," said Jennings. "Then I just needed to figure out how to cobble together enough income to stay."

Jennings talked with members of the community to find out what kind of needs existed to see if her skills could fill a gap in services for the community.

Jennings quickly learned that bookkeeping positions for local non-profits was a place where she could be helpful but it was not full-time. After visiting with several groups she also realized that office and meeting space for groups was also a need.

"I want this place to be a community hub where organizations can come in and find resources to help them reach their goals," said Jennings. "It can also be a place where the community gets information about different groups, funding and volunteer opportunities."

The Hub includes meeting space and seating for up to 30 people, office printer and fax machine, Wi-Fi Internet, bulk mailing permit, secure file storage, reception service and locked, small scale storage. This allows organizations that change board members to meet together in a neutral location and centrally store files or materials that all members have access to instead of basing operations out of someone's home.

The reception service can include using The Hub's phone number and passing messages along to the organization's contact or forwarding an existing number to Jennings who can be the personal receptionist for that group or business.

Jennings also offers bookkeeping, grant writing and administration services. She will soon be a notary.

"I want to take advantage of the economy of scale offering a place that is centrally available for all boards," said Jennings.

All services are customizable and available a la carte or as a package.

"I will work with clients to determine what they need, what we offer and come up with something that is mutually beneficial," said Jennings.

While The Hub is a for-profit business, Jennings said it has a philanthropic goal, to allow her expertise and space to fill a need for the community.

"All organizations need such different things. They all work and operate differently," said Jennings. "What I offer will be customized and personalized and I will tailor to them."

Jennings hopes The Hub will not only be a resource for groups, organizations and businesses but also the community. Her goal is to become "the Chamber of Commerce for non-profits" offering information about local groups, what they are doing and how people can get involved.

The Hub is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and by appointment in the evening. Jennings will host an Open House in the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 28 for the community to come in and check out what is being offered. She can be reached at 406-677-7HUB (7482) or email rachel@seeleyhub.com.