MUNCIE, Ind.—To provide a new collaborative work environment to the Muncie community, Madjax and the Muncie Redevelopment Commission (MRC) have teamed up to open the second CO:LAB location inside the makerspace. This location will promote an open and community-based approach to working, whereas the existing location (across from Horizon Convention Center) will host private office space.
“This is the core of the makerspace culture, where members of the public will be able to construct a menu of facilities and services that they want to use—like enhanced internet, woodshop, 3D printing, and coworking space—to form their own makerspace, customized for their needs based on the equipment we have,” said Michael Wolfe, President of the Sustainable Muncie Corp. Board. “It really will be an amazing asset for the makers and future makers in our community!”
Construction taking place inside MadJax continues to allow another CO:LAB location. Photo provided.
The CO:LAB’s vision is to be the local epicenter of entrepreneurship, business, and creativity that drives vibrancy downtown, elicits pride in Muncie, and invigorates our community’s approach to economic development. The CO:LAB will be a catalyst in building a local network of startups, mentors, and investors. It will be the reason many choose to stay and start their businesses in Muncie.
As a part of this partnership, Madjax Program Director, Jennifer Greene, will become a full- time employee of Sustainable Muncie. Her office will be located in Madjax, allowing her to effectively manage both The CO:LAB locations, as well as additional membership programs within the makerspace.
“With a rapidly growing and developing local entrepreneurial ecosystem, this partnership is a tremendously exciting addition to the movement in our area,” explains Greene. “This will be an invaluable space that will allow for the collision of art, technology, learning, and collaboration. I look forward to working with MadJax and engaging both our members and partners in a vibrant community environment of creatives, makers, and risk-takers.”
Looking forward to the opportunities to come, Muncie Redevelopment Commission’s Executive Director Todd Donati expresses, “The growth of The CO:LAB has surpassed our expectations, and this partnership allows us to expand and add additional opportunity to our coworking culture.”
The CO:LAB is in its third year of operation and was the fourteenth coworking space to open in Indiana. Its dedication to uniting people to work around one another to spark encouragement and push productivity led the company to become a participant in the Indiana Coworking Passport. In addition to having access to both locations in Muncie, CO:LAB members will have the opportunity to work in any other workspace in the network as they move freely about the state. Beyond convenience, part of the network’s goal is to connect entrepreneurs across Indiana to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indiana.
For more information on Madjax programming and partners, contact Michael Wolfe at 765-215- 1004 or wolfe@sustainablemuncie.org.
About The CO:LAB
In November 2014, The CO:LAB was established in Muncie as the fourteenth coworking space to open in Indiana. Since then, the business has been dedicated to being a catalyst in building a local network of startups, mentors, and investors. As a community that believes in connection, innovation, change, and personal investment, The CO:LAB provides Muncie residents with a collaborative, open workspace that encourages innovation and drives vibrancy downtown. To learn more about The CO:LAB’s initiatives and resources, visit www.colabmuncie.com.
