Find out what this new addition to outer East Portland’s Rosewood Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District for small businesses in the area …
In the Hazelwood neighborhood, guests gather at the Rosewood Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative building, queueing up for a tour of their new Small Business Tech Hub.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In outer East Portland, a new small business “technology hub” opened on February 26th at the Rosewood Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative (Rosewood), with a clear purpose: To give neighborhood entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow.
Situated at 14127 SE Stark Street, inside The Rosewood Initiative’s Community Center, the new Small Business Tech Hub is designed for the many home-based and emerging businesses that often lack access to high-speed Internet, equipment, or professional workspaces.
Rosewood Initiative Executive Director Sabrina Wilson expresses enthusiasm for the new Tech Hub.
That’s what we learned from Rosewood’s Executive Director, Sabrina Wilson, who pointed out that the space is much more than just a room with computers.
“Here’s what it means to The Rosewood Initiative and the community is that it serves: It’s a permanent, practical resource those same entrepreneurs can rely on,” Wilson told East Portland News. “We have the Community Hub [building] that we purchased a year ago. Adding this ‘Tech Hub’ [to it] is really an investment for the entrepreneurs and businesses in the outer East Portland community.”
A tour group makes the short walk from their main building into the house on their property, converted into the Community Hub.
Comcast has previously partnered with The Rosewood Initiative, Wilson said, and this project deepens that relationship. “Comcast was the funder of this initiative. We partnered with [them] in the past, and they approached us wanting to support us through they call a ‘Lift Zone’ – providing high speed Internet, and also some cost for investments in the technological offerings that we have for the community, here.”
The “Lift Zone” Tech Hub at Rosewood supports:
+ Workshops and training on digital marketing, social media for business, product photography, bookkeeping, and tax preparation.
+ One-on-one support, including connections to small business liaisons from Prosper Portland.
+ Technology access, including high-speed internet, desktop and laptop computers, and a fully equipped photo studio.
Rosewood’s Programs Coordinator, Azaria Coakley, shows off the new computer equipment in the Tech Hub.
“We know there are a lot of home-based businesses,” Wilson explained. “We’ve seen this need, after hosting our ‘Summer Makers Markets’ and providing many workshops like accounting 101, business 101, public relations, and media for them.”
The new Tech Hub builds on Rosewood’s educational efforts by offering ongoing, practical support. “To have made these core investments where entrepreneurs can come, get on high-speed Internet, and access all the equipment and tools that are available for them – it’s really going to help support the local economic community,” predicted Wilson.
Inside, the space is set up for real everyday use – not just special events – including a small kitchen, that provides the comforts of home while at work.
“People will be able to come here and do product photography, have access to laptops, both PC and Mac, depending on their preference,” Wilson said. “They’ll have workspace where they can get some work done, or meet with a consultant one-on-one.”
Wilson emphasizes that the barrier to entry is intentionally low. “Requirements for the community to use the Tech Hub are just simply to come in and tell us that they need support,” she explained.
Learning about the Tech Hub for possible inclusion at their Africa House, it’s IRCO’s Director of Operations, Fritz Hirsch.
Looking ahead, Wilson forecast that the Tech Hub is “really going to help support the local economic community” – not by replacing the determination and creativity of outer East Portland entrepreneurs, but by finally giving them the tools and space they’ve long needed and deserved.
The Rosewood Initiative’s Tech Hub opened thanks to an $80,000 investment from Comcast and the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission.
For more information about their Tech Hub and other services, see the Rosewood Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative website: CLICK HERE.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
