When my family and I travel, we tend to notice the things we like in other communities as well as all the things we don’t appreciate as much - mostly the traffic. But we take special note of those things we think would be possible in McCook, which would help McCook thrive and grow, which would make McCook an even better place to call home.
It can be as minimal as a dog park, which is a great asset for both residents and visitors alike. Fortunately, the McCook K9 Korner Dog Park is planned for Barnett Park and will be in place soon.
It could be restaurants which we think would add to the great eateries we already have. Or it could simply be the atmosphere created by outdoor dining and spaces where people gather to share food, friendship and ideas.
But one concept which we had seen over and over and which came of even greater importance during the pandemic when people were forced to work from home was the need for an alternate work space or which is more commonly known as a cowork space.
Thanks to the effort of Andy Long of the McCook Economic Development Corp. and several generous sponsors, McCook has its own cowork space on the fourth floor of the Keystone Business Center in the heart of McCook. It is known as the McCook Cowork Space just to avoid any confusion.
So what exactly is a cowork space?
Generally speaking, the definition of coworking is when people assemble in a neutral space to work independently on different projects, or in groups on the same projects. It’s different from a typical office workspace because the people in a coworking environment generally aren’t working for the same company.
Coworking spaces offer the same amenities you would find in a traditional office, along with a lot more. A major differentiator is flexibility, since you don’t need to sign a long-term lease in a coworking space.
But there are so many more reasons why McCook needed a cowork space from camaraderie to a place to escape to.
Those who are currently working on the fourth floor have already created a cohort among themselves. While they don’t work for the same company nor are they working on the same project, yet they find themselves leaning on each other for support, for insight, for simply social interaction.
As a McCook Chamber employee, my oldest son is housed on the fourth floor but is learning how to sew from Paula Sandberg, who works at a desk nearby. (While I taught him how to sew a button or whipstitch a hem, we never broke out a sewing machine.)
The cowork space is also perfect for those who can work from anywhere so they make the choice to move from a larger community - and all the headaches - to a smaller community - where life is hopefully a little more laid back.
But a cowork space is not just limited to someone who needs an office for their business. Anyone who has tried to work from home understands how distracting it can be.
I have a home office but my attention can easily be diverted. There is a load of laundry waiting to be folded in the drier. There is a stack of bills pushed to the side of the desk that needs to be dealt with. Or maybe it’s that stack of VHS tapes which have been waiting to switch into a digital format for years but today seems like the best day to do it.
And for anyone who says McCook is not big enough to warrant this type of space, there is no such thing as too small.
As part of a cross-country bike ride for low-income housing in 2019, my oldest daughter helped build a cowork space in St. John, Kansas, a town of just 1,179 people. They understood the need to create space where people could gather and get work done.
If you haven’t seen the McCook Cowork Space, please call the McCook EDC office at 308-345-1200. Andy, along with McCook Chamber Director Dawson Brunswick, put together a great, usable, efficient space and they love to give tours of the space.
Several McCook organizations are working to create additional welcoming spaces throughout McCook, but the McCook Work Space is already one of those spaces which is making McCook an even better place to call home.
Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards
Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.
To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.
