Part I: From Vision to Reality — Building the Cabarrus Center

The Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship opened its doors in 2021, but it did not emerge overnight—it was the result of years of identified need, collaboration, and persistence. Following its ribbon cutting in the wake of the pandemic, the Center stood ready to welcome entrepreneurs into a space designed to connect ideas, resources, and community in a powerful new way.

A Community Need Takes Shape

As early as the mid-2000s, studies of Cabarrus County’s entrepreneurial landscape revealed a consistent problem: while resources for small businesses and startups existed, they were fragmented, disconnected, and difficult to navigate. Entrepreneurs often didn’t know where to begin.

The solution seemed clear—a centralized hub where resources, expertise, and support could come together. But despite widespread agreement, no single organization stepped forward to lead the effort, and the idea stalled for years.

That changed when Page Castrodale of the Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (EDC)— who then focused on supporting existing industry and would later become its Executive Director—visited The Hub at Davidson, a co-working and business support center. Joined by Irene Wong, Economic & Community Development Director for the City of Kannapolis, the two saw firsthand what was possible.

“We had really great resources in Cabarrus County,” said Castrodale, “but they weren’t connected, and so if you were someone who wanted to start a business, there was confusion about where to go, and the resources were spread out across the county.”

Together, Castrodale and Wong both recognized that a similar model in Cabarrus County could serve as a powerful, innovative approach to economic development—one driven by growing businesses from within.

From Idea to Reality

Momentum began to build through a combination of timing, leadership, and opportunity. The EDC started exploring how a centralized entrepreneurship model could work locally, while a key redevelopment opportunity emerged in downtown Concord.

Developer Justin Mueller of Sherwood Development Group began revitalizing historic buildings that would eventually house the Cabarrus Center—preserving their character while giving them new purpose.

Meanwhile, Flywheel—an organization with a proven track record of developing entrepreneurship centers—was gaining attention for its work in communities like Winston-Salem and Davidson.

“Flywheel LLC’s business model is to develop, design, and operate co-working entrepreneurship centers,” said Peter Marsh, Founding Partner.

While coworking spaces have grown in popularity, what set the Cabarrus Center idea apart was its deeper focus on programming and support.

“We also have a nonprofit arm, the Flywheel Foundation, that focuses on entrepreneurship programming,” Marsh explained. “That includes workshops, seminars, accelerators, corporate innovation challenges, and even investment funds and grants.”

Marsh and his partners saw strong potential in Cabarrus County—a growing community with the right mix of talent and demographics. But they had one key condition: this couldn’t be a standalone effort.

For the model to succeed, every organization involved in supporting entrepreneurship across the county needed to be part of it—contributing, collaborating, and aligning around a shared vision.

That’s where Castrodale and the Cabarrus EDC played a critical role, bringing together partners, building momentum, and helping turn the concept into reality.

The result was more than just a building—it became an “umbrella” that brought together previously disconnected resources into one cohesive, easy-to-access ecosystem. Key organizations, including the Cabarrus EDC, Cabarrus Chamber, and the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center, were housed under the same roof, working side by side with entrepreneurs in a shared co-working environment.

Why It Worked in Cabarrus County

Several factors made this model especially successful in Cabarrus County:

• Rapid population growth and expanding professional talent
• Strong collaboration among local leadership
• Available redevelopment space in downtown Concord
• Significant investment from local governments and the Cannon Foundation

Equally important was the EDC’s role in maintaining alignment, momentum, and long-term focus across all partners.

Launching in Uncertain Times

The Cabarrus Center officially launched during one of the most challenging periods imaginable—the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when remote work was surging and downtown Concord was in the midst of major redevelopment, the idea of a shared entrepreneurial space faced understandable skepticism.

“We had to ask ourselves if this was even going to work right now because everyone was working from home,” said Page Castrodale.

Despite the uncertainty, the project never lost momentum. By the time the pandemic hit, the groundwork had already been laid.

“When COVID hit, the Cabarrus Center was fully designed and all the financing was lined up,” said Peter Marsh. “Once we commit to a project, we don’t let it go. That’s our attitude and our posture.”

That commitment proved critical. While most coworking and entrepreneurial spaces typically take about 18 months to build membership, the Cabarrus Center required closer to two to three years due to the disruption caused by COVID. Still, Flywheel and its partners remained fully invested.

“We weren’t going to back out,” Marsh said.

In the end, what could have derailed the project instead reinforced its foundation—demonstrating the resilience, long-term vision, and shared commitment that would ultimately define the Cabarrus Center.