NextFab Studio, LLC, has secured a lease for a 10,000-plus square foot space at 501-509 Tatnall Street, in downtown Wilmington. The organization will partner with Wilmington University.
The membership-driven company’s third maker space facility is scheduled to open in January 2017. The expansion was made possible by a $350,000 Delaware Strategic Fund grant approved by the Delaware Council on Development Finance.
“Finding the right location, the right building to accommodate the variety of uses our community needs, is always challenging. We are very excited to announce that we have found our Wilmington location, and forged great new partnerships along the way. In a few short months, we will be joining a vibrant and diverse creative community that, like NextFab, is committed to Wilmington’s success” said Evan Malone, founder and president of NextFab.
The project had been in the works for some time. Earlier this year, Malone cautioned that the process of finding the right space in Wilmington would take time.
“We are thrilled that NextFab has chosen to invest in Wilmington’s Creative District and will open Wilmington’s first maker space in just a few short months,” said Carrie W. Gray, managing director of Wilmington Renaissance Corporation. “As we work to develop the Creative District, NextFab’s anchor presence will not only round out our entrepreneurial ecosystem, but it will also create new, exciting opportunities for our creative community to grow and expand their skill sets, while also incubating or growing businesses.”
Founded in 2009 by Malone, provides direct access to equipment, software, training, and consultants for a diverse, collaborative community of members.
Members can learn new skills, realize a creative vision, or turn an idea into a product and a product into a business.
NextFab’s instructors and consultants span a range of disciplines and experience, including engineering, arts, business, and science.
NextFab currently operates two facilities in Philadelphia. Malone said in an earlier presentation that the Wilmington site will not duplicate all equipment at NextFab’s other two sites, but will give members access to that equipment. The center will also not compete with current co-working sites in the city.
“Wilmington University’s College of Technology is proud to partner with NextFab. Through this partnership with our newly developed Maker Certificate, students will be able to utilize the cutting edge technology that NextFab offers,” said Mary Ann Westerfield, dean of the College of Technology at Wilmington University. “Deeply rooted in STEAM initiatives and philosophy, the Maker Certificate aims to create critical thinkers that can implement solutions using technology. The Maker Certificate fosters innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving. These skills and ideals will be enhanced through access to and learning experiences obtained with NextFab.”
The new maker space will offer amenities including coworking space, private offices, training room, wood shop, electronics lab, and digital fabrication tools including laser cutters, 3D printers, and computer-controlled routing.
Services will include: membership; classes, workshops, and private training; business acceleration and incubation; and retail sales of gear and materials.
“NextFab’s community workspace is a perfect addition to Wilmington’s Creative District and we’re excited they chose to expand in Delaware for many different reasons,” stated Delaware Economic Development Office Director Bernice Whaley. “Not only does NextFab bring with it jobs to augment the economic revitalization of the downtown area, but it also directly supports our innovative entrepreneurial community as well encourage indirect job growth through the diverse array of services it offers.”
Wilmington’s Creative District is a part of a national wave of creative placemaking initiatives that seek to transform urban areas. This community revitalization project encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Market and Washington streets. Wilmington Renaissance has been working to provide studio and living space for artists.
.Partners include Chris White Community Development Corporation, Christina Cultural Arts Center, City of Wilmington, Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, Quaker Hill Neighborhood Association and Wilmington Renaissance Corporation.
Supporters include Bank of America, Delaware Division of the Arts, Delaware State Housing Authority, Delmarva Power, JPMorgan Chase, Longwood Foundation, TD Bank Foundation, United Way of Delaware and WSFS Bank.
