Dear Creative District, NextFab has arrived

Wilmingtonians, the wait is finally over. NextFab’s third location has found a home downtown with over 10,000 square feet at 501-509 Tatnall St., in the heart of the Creative District and in partnership with Wilmington University.
The space is currently being outfitted and plans to open its doors to the public in January. “We have keys in-hand, and our team is already working hard to build out the space,” said NextFab President Evan Malone. “We cannot wait to open our doors to the greater community.”
Why this space? Malone says it’s conveniently within less than a mile from the train station and I-95, making it quite accessible. The new facility will include a coworking space, private offices, training room, wood shop, electronics lab and digital fabrication tools including laser cutters, 3D printers and computer-controlled routing.
Last year, NextFab recieved a $350,000 grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund, which made this expansion possible.
NextFab’s new location will give the makerspace the chance to be a part of downtown Wilmington’s revitalization efforts, while giving makers access to a whole slew of new equipment and networks. Members of the Wilmington “gym for innovators” will be able to use their memberships at the other two locations in Philadelphia at no extra charge.
“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,” said Wilmington Renaissance Corporation Managing Director Carrie Gray.
NextFab fueled business growth in Philly, according to an independent report, and now it plans to do the same in Wilmington.