BRUNSWICK — A new downtown office space set up to provide a low-cost alternative for the work-from-home set could also be an incubator that helps grow connections between local entrepreneurs.

Property owner Bill Moore recently renovated an expansive room in the back of the Lincoln Building, once used as a Masons Lodge, into 23 individual work spaces available for short-term flexible leases. 

The idea, he explained during a recent tour of the building at 98 Maine St., is to offer an affordable, efficient office environment in the heart of downtown. The success of similar spaces in Portland and Lewiston gave him the idea.

“I think some companies would like to have a downtown presence,” without spending heavily on an entire office suite, Moore said.

Space rental includes WiFi and telephone service, mail, a conference room, and printing, scanning and copying services.

The new offices are designed for people accustomed to working remotely, but who want a quiet, professional space, Moore said, or for an entrepreneur with a start-up who needs an affordable space to keep their overhead low.

A benefit of bringing together a diverse set of individuals is the possible cross-pollination of ideas and networking opportunities created by the space, said Seth Jacobs, a real estate broker working with Moore on the project.

Unlike other business incubator models, collaboration and networking isn’t expected, Jacobs said, but he hopes having people working closely together in the same space will develop partnerships “organically.”

“It’s a natural process,” Jacobs said. “If you get people from across a whole bunch of trades, it creates a networking group all on its own.”

Peter L. McGuire can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or pmcguire@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter @mcguiremidcoast.

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The owner of the Lincoln Building on Maine Street hopes new open-concept offices will offer local entrepreneurs a space to collaborate and network.