@frymaster is frymaster

or rather, @frymaster is frymaster

From my perspective, the factor that accounts for at least part of this disconnection between measured employment and other economic growth factors is the way employment is measured - with W2 forms.

Like a lot of geeks and other creative types, I'm a one-man show. We don't generate any action on the W2 front. We live in the 1099 economy. So now add to this core of traditional freelancers the phenomenon I like to call the Corporate Diaspora - traditional execs that get downsized/laid off and become consultants.

We hear a lot of talk about co-working spaces and so forth, the but powers that be have yet to recongize the phenomenon that's driving the interest. They haven't adjusted their thinking to account for this key shift in what in means to be "employed."

This is media talk. "Markets" or DMAs (Designated Market Areas - designated by media research giant Nielsen) are roughly defined by the area covered by the broadcast TV stations. NY, LA, Chicago, and Philly are your stable 1-4, then SF, Dallas, DC, ATL, Boston, and Houston make up 5 - 10 and they constantly swap around because they're so close together in size.

According to the most recent Nielsen release, Providence-New Bedford is #52, between Austin and New Orleans. We're usually high 40s low 50s.

There's total rationale for co-working in the 'burbs, especially in this new villages concept. (Big ups to Fred Presley.) I refer to the eco-demographic of the Corporate Diaspora - people who got downsized or M&A'd from a big company and never went back. There are probably 10,000 or more 1-3 person businesses in RI, and a lot in the suburbs. For many of these, escape from the home-office would be a big plus, but the costs can be out of hand. A co-working space in a village adjacent to other services, like hot spot cafes, would certainly find its market.

And be sure check out that link for The Grant. Come on down to Kafe Lila and get yer grub on!