Collaborative Werx to Bring Tampa Bay’s First Secure Facility for Classified Defense Meetings to Ybor City

Plans have been unveiled for Collaborative Werx, a 54,000-square-foot facility in Ybor City’s Gasworx District, designed to host secure, classified meetings for government and defense contractors. Located at 1242 East 5th Avenue, the facility is expected to open by the end of next year, marking a significant milestone for Tampa Bay’s defense sector.

Collaborative Werx aims to provide a cutting-edge solution for Tampa Bay’s small and medium-sized defense contractors, many of whom have had to travel to other cities for secure meeting spaces. This lack of local facilities has added time and expense to fulfilling Department of Defense contracts, creating significant logistical challenges.

The facility will be situated in the Gasworx District, a development spearheaded by Darryl Shaw and KETTLER in Ybor City. Shaw highlighted the broader economic impact of the project, stating,

“We’re filling a critical gap by giving government, industry, and academic organizations supporting our national security and defense communities the access and capabilities they need right here in Tampa Bay,” said Brad Chedister, a Tampa based National Security Executive and a Senior Strategic Advisory Partner for Collaborative Werx. “In today’s world of cyber threats and security uncertainty, having a safe, effective, and innovative space for classified meetings and facilitated collaboration is not just important, it’s essential to our Nation and Allied Partners.”

“We’re proud to address this issue head on,” developer Darryl Shaw said. “Collaborative Werx is a key step in growing Tampa Bay’s defense tech sector, which will help keep and create new jobs in our region.”

The launch of Collaborative Werx coincides with the Department of Defense’s proposed $850 billion budget for 2025, which emphasizes investment in cutting-edge technologies and public-private partnerships. The facility is expected to play a vital role in advancing Tampa Bay’s defense sector by offering contractors a dedicated space for classified collaboration, technical services, and workforce development programming.

Designed to foster innovation and expand opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, the facility will feature access to classified networks, facilitated events, and technical services. It will also offer flexible short- and long-term leasing options for contractors in need of permanent office solutions.

Located in Tampa’s Urban Core Opportunity Zone and HUB Zone, Collaborative Werx positions itself as a strategic hub for national security and defense operations while aligning with broader business development goals in the region.

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