We are excited to share the news that on September 19, 2017, the Union Square Campus Board approved the finalized concept for Union Square Phase II: A single facility that will house both an innovation/design space and a cybersecurity center. Boundless Impact Executive Director, Cindy Thompson, served on the Union Square Phase II teams for Innovation and Design from the beginning of the process which began in January 2016.

As background, in 2009 a group of business and higher education leaders under Opportunity Greensboro saw a need for space where collaboration and innovation could flourish to promote business growth and economic development in the surrounding area. After brainstorming many ideas, the final concept for Union Square Campus phase one is a school of advanced nursing with associate through doctorate nursing programs. Through various partnerships with both private and public investors the $34 million project was completed and opened in August 2016 with the capacity to serve over 400 students. Following the success of phase one in 2017 two concepts innovation & design and cybersecurity, emerged to fill the gaps in employment, research, and facilities that phase one exemplifies in the nursing sector.

The Innovation & Design Center will consist of a design thinking lab, concept lab, spatial computing lab, and space for design startups. The planned Cybersecurity Center will include a cyber projects lab, secure lab, server room, operations center, and space for cyber startups. Crucial to both centers will be the Hub, complete with a kitchen, collaboration spaces, networking areas, and event space. Phase II is based on the idea that working in one space is conducive to producing dynamic relationships and furthering all efforts to promote inclusive innovation in our community. The goal being to create an active hub for peer interaction, community programs, events, and a productive environment for cyber and design-related startups.