3, 2, 1…Launchbox!

On June 20th, the Rosenblum Development team was joined by Colonie Town Supervisor Peter Crummey, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, state and local officials, representatives of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and National Grid, as well as business and community leaders to officially open Launchbox Flexible Warehouse Suites, the first “co-warehousing” facility in upstate New York, located at 6 Northway Lane, Latham.

View photos from the event below (use the arrows to scroll through images):

Coworking has significantly reshaped the economic landscape by offering versatile, cost-effective workspace solutions, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Launchbox takes this concept further by providing scalable, high-quality warehouse spaces with wraparound amenities in a supportive entrepreneurial community, setting a new standard in the Capital Region.

“Launchbox represents a significant advancement in how businesses can manage their logistics and operational needs by combining the full functionality of warehousing with the flexibility, convenience and predictable overhead of coworking,” said Jeff Mirel, principal of Rosenblum Development. “Given that warehouse occupancy rates in the Capital Region are around 98 percent, Launchbox offers an innovative and timely solution for businesses across industry sectors that are growth constrained because they cannot find an appropriate or cost-effective workplace.”

“The opening of Launchbox is a game-changer for the Capital Region’s business community. This innovative co-warehousing model provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to grow and scale in ways that were previously unimaginable,” said Mark Eagan, president and CEO of the Capital Region Chamber and Center for Economic Growth. “This facility is more than just a new business hub; it’s an economic driver that will fuel entrepreneurial growth, create jobs, and enhance our region’s competitive edge.”

“Always on the cutting edge, Rosenblum Development has taken the coworking concept to the next level with co-warehousing,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “There are small companies that need warehouse space but don’t need a huge area or the cost associated with that. Being able to have a shared, climate-controlled warehouse with docks, a drive-up bay and locked suites is the perfect solution. Factor in added office amenities like internet access, printing and copying and it sounds like Launchbox Flexible Warehouse Suites is the answer for many small businesses.”

Already, Launchbox has attracted such noteworthy occupants as Journey Décor, a creator of handcrafted home décor; Aries Power, a renewable energy developer; and Instagrid, a German-based manufacturer of portable clean power systems. This is the first American location for Instagrid.

“It’s exciting to welcome companies such as Instagrid from other countries like Germany here to the town of Colonie,” said Nick Joseph, chief of staff, for Senator Jake Ashby. “Here in the Capital Region our small businesses now have a step above every other small business that is starting down in Westchester or the Southern Tier.”

“If you look around the state and you look around the country at areas where you see entrepreneurship growing and small businesses starting up, there are always market leaders, there are always people who have innovative ideas who can look around the marketplace and see what’s missing,” said Heather Briccetti Mulligan, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State. “What Rosenblum created here is a prime example of that. The opportunity that this is going to create for small businesses in the area will be profound.”

Launchbox received funding from the NYSERDA New Construction Commercial and National Grid Industrial Building Redevelopment programs. The previously vacant industrial building has been fully electrified and features a 417kW rooftop solar PV array, positioning Launchbox to achieve Net Zero by producing more energy than it consumes, another first for the region.

“We know that buildings represent one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in our state. NYSERDA supports teams like Rosenblum who are building new buildings that are high performing, free from fossil fuels, and aim to be net zero in terms of energy uses. This building is a shining example of a decarbonized future,” said Rebecca Filbey, team lead for the new construction team at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA.) “It’s important to also recognize the creative repurposing of a under-utilized space and the potential that this facility represents for its future tenants and for the greater Albany community.”

“Launchbox takes co-working to a new level and National Grid is here to support it,” said Amanda Vitullo, lead economic development representative for National Grid. “Projects like these make sense and investing in them makes sense for National Grid as we work with partners like Rosenblum to continue to be a catalyst for economic development in the Capital Region.”

Media links:

“New business opens in empty Latham warehouse.” NEWS10 ABC, 6/20/24

“Want a micro-warehouse? Launchbox has it.” Times Union, 6/20/24