Dayton, April 14, 2021: Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) has extended its lease on its downtown Dayton location at 444 East Second Street, home of the Air Force Midwestern Storefront. At the same time, WBI has secured space in the recently renovated Arcade, joining and contributing to the unique building designed to encourage collaboration among its diverse tenants. Both leases are for one-year terms. The short walking distance between the two spaces will help bridge regional economic development networks with Air Force technology and capability needs. These spaces provide flexible infrastructure that accommodates employees, partners and collaborators.
WBI’s Arcade space holds four desks on the second floor, overlooking the rotunda. The space will be used by WBI staff on an ad hoc basis. The Arcade’s anchor tenant, The Hub Powered by PNC Bank, came about through a partnership between the University of Dayton and The Entrepreneurs’ Center. Co-working and shared spaces are featured, together with private offices, conference rooms, classrooms, and studios housing print, art and design workspaces. Apartments are also part of the complex, giving the Arcade a lively mix of retail, offices, event spaces and housing.
Wendell Banks, WBI’s Executive Director, believes having a greater presence in downtown Dayton has the potential to grow and mature companies that can accelerate Air Force technology.
“The Arcade is a fantastic addition to downtown Dayton,” he said. “Being in proximity to the next generation workforce, some of whom are being recruited by Fortune 500 companies, has the potential to provide fresh concepts and business process to the Air Force. Businesses can gain critical support services at the Arcade and at our 444 E. Second Street facility, positioning them for success in multiple markets. I foresee a lot of interesting ideas coming from this space. WBI will fit perfectly – we had to be a part of this!”
WBI’s facility at 444 East Second Street will continue to be devoted to Air Force Small Business, hosting colliders and educational events geared toward working with the Air Force.
About Wright Brothers Institute
Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a cutting-edge innovation and technology commercialization center for the Air Force Research Laboratory, with facilities located just outside of WPAFB in Dayton, OH. We drive fast, agile innovation that enables successful technology development to solve the Air Force’s most complex challenges by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes, and extensive networks. We leverage subject matter experts and intellectual property from AFRL and SBIR companies to unlock the right problem, connect to new partners and synchronize transition pathways through our commercialization partners.
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