Grand Canyon Times

An old government building in Arizona was recently transformed to provide hybrid employees in the state with a more efficient working space.

AZ Big Media reports Arizona’s Connected Workspace, located at 1400 W. Washington St. in Phoenix, features video conferencing capabilities, various conference rooms, collaborative huddle spaces, interactive whiteboards, lockers for personal items, and a fully stocked snack and drink bar.

“This state-of-the-art hub for the 15,000+ state employees who work remotely is fully equipped for the modern, hybrid workforce. #AZConnectedWorkforce,” Ducey wrote in a Sept. 7 Twitter post.

The new workspace will be managed by the Arizona Department of Administration, which applauded Gov. Doug Ducey for his efforts in reducing and consolidating state office space.

“To be able to accomplish this type of concept in a government building can be credited to the vision of the state’s leader – Governor Ducey – who has emphasized creative thinking to solve problems,” Arizona Department of Administration Director Andy Tobin said, according to AZ Big Media. “We now have a fresh, modern workspace for all employees to use and we are ready to welcome them.”

The launch of Arizona’s Connected Workspace comes as the state celebrates eliminating 1 million square feet of government office space over the past eight years, according to AZ Big Media.

“Arizona is shrinking government in a growing economy,” Ducey wrote in another Twitter post. “With 15,000 state employees opting to work remotely, we’ve decreased our physical footprint and saved taxpayers major dollars.”

Arizona Department of Housing was on hand during the unveiling of Arizona’s Connected Workspace. “ADOH has reduced our own physical agency footprint by 60% and have full access to this fully-equipped hub whenever we need it!" ADOH wrote in a Sept. 7 Twitter post.

“As a fellow hybrid worker, the thing I love most about coming to work in this building is the fact that I get to choose how and where I work each day," Department of Administration Building and Planning Manager Ruben Duran said, according to AZ Big Media. "I’d like to thank Gov. Ducey and Director Tobin for all of their efforts in making it a reality.”