Community Coworking Space to Expand Capacity: Del Rio Spark Lab Receives USDA Grant

Main Street and Business Incubator Manager Jorge Garza also hopes to use grant-funding for additional marketing materials, to increase community engagement

This lesser known spot is a completely free community resource: The Del Rio Spark Lab, a public coworking space and business incubator on Main Street. It is an open office where you can touch down and work for a day or bring the whole team together for a meeting. A place designed for professionals, small businesses, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers. Complete with computers, private desks, printers, mobile whiteboard, lounge spaces, and even a kitchenette. Currently, only 2 computers are open for public use. But within the next few weeks as many as 12 should be free and available.

Entrepreneurship runs deep in Del Rio, with a vibrant gig-work and side-hustle culture including food trucks, mobile services, vendor markets, and traveling sales. The city's support for this entrepreneurial spirit is evident, recognizing that individual success fuels city growth. The Spark Lab embodies this commitment. It provides a quiet workspace for remote workers, hosts educational sessions, and offers meeting space and temporary desk space. Their motto is, "ignite the spark, build the future," and their mission is to cultivate an “environment where entrepreneurs, makers, doers, and creatives collaborate” to build businesses and innovative projects.

The Spark Lab Business Incubator: Entrepreneur Hub & Coworking Space celebrated its grand opening 18 months ago in September 2023. They are located downtown at 101 W. Ogden Street, in the center of the Transportation Depot. They can accommodate individuals or large groups up to 100. The flexible space is outfitted with 12 desks and an ample lounge, or it can be reconfigured into a conference room with row seating and a podium. Garza said, "feel free to bring your lunch, we've got a mini fridge and microwave." Individuals do not require reservations, but large groups should call ahead. And yes, it is all completely free, even the color printer.  

The Spark Lab serves as a fully functioning office, complete with computers, private desks, printers, mobile whiteboard, lounge spaces, and even a kitchenette.

The Spark Lab provides unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi access with no time limit.

Main Street and Business Incubator Manager Jorge Garza is dedicated to downtown Del Rio's revitalization. He manages both the Spark Lab and the Main Street program. The Spark Lab offers after-hours and weekend access at no charge. Regular weekday hours are 8 AM to 5 PM. Garza holds office hours at the Spark Lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, closed for lunch 12 PM to 1PM. Outside these times, Garza is readily available via cell phone to provide access. If the doors are locked and he is not there, he said “call me on my cell, the number is on the door, and I will be right there.”

Organizations that have utilized the space include SWTJC, Laughlin Air Force Base, City Boards, Chamber of Commerce, Consulates, and more. However, Garza hopes to see more private companies and individuals come through. “If you work from home, and want to get out of your house, get some air, see other people, it’s a good place to work, to be productive,” encouraged Garza.  

All the computers and furniture are brand new, high-tech, modern and sleek. The best part is unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi access with no time limit, no cut offs, and no membership card required. Garza said, “there is no time limit, you can stay as long as you need to.” Right now, there are 12 desks, but only 8 with full computer set-ups, and only 2 of those are available for public use.

Construction tape and scaffolding outside the Transportation Depot building, new windows have been installed according to historic preservation standards

For the past month, the Spark Lab has operated at reduced capacity. 6 of the 8 computer desks have been utilized by the Del Rio Transportation Department. They relocated to the Spark Lab temporarily while their section of the Transport Depot building is being outfitted with new windows. Strict Historic Building preservation standards and inspection requirements have prolonged the renovation. However, the city expects the project to wrap within a few weeks.

Additionally, the Spark Lab just received a UDSA grant. They hope to buy 4 more computers and a presentation TV monitor, bringing their total computer desk count to 12. Within the next few weeks, orders will be placed for the technology. Approval by the City Council is required before the purchase, because the city must cover upfront costs, and then will receive reimbursement from the USDA. Garza is scheduled for a presentation during the City Council meeting Tuesday 4/8/25.

Once the Transportation Department vacates the Spark Lab, and the new grant-funded technology is installed, 12 computer desks should be free and available. First everything must be approved, ordered, and delivered. While the timeline is variable, completion could be less than a month away. Garza says services will remain free, as long as demand for space doesn’t outweigh supply, and residents continue to respect the workplace.

Comparable coworking spaces can charge upwards of $30 per day and oftentimes add hundreds of dollars in extra fees for meeting room use. Garza said, “I have been debating with the City Manager as to whether or not we should charge yet, but I haven’t had an issue with it, the whole idea is to help out the community.” For more information, contact Jorge Garza at 830-309-7065, or visit the Spark Lab page on Facebook.