New secure office building coming to Ybor City

A new facility designed to support classified and secure meetings for government and defense contractors is set to open in Ybor City’s Gasworx District. The 54,000-square-foot Collaborative Werx will address the regional shortage of secure spaces necessary for Department of Defense (DoD) contract fulfillment.

Brad Chedister, a Tampa-based national security executive and senior strategic advisory partner for Collaborative Werx, emphasized the facility’s importance: “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,” he said in a prepared statement.

The absence of local secure meeting spaces has compelled many small and medium-sized defense companies in the Tampa Bay area to travel to other cities, incurring additional time and expenses. Collaborative Werx operators aim to mitigate these challenges by providing a dedicated environment for classified meetings and collaborative projects.

The facility is scheduled to open late next year at 1242 E. 5th Ave. The Gasworx District is a development led by community leader Darryl Shaw in partnership with KETTLER.

Shaw highlighted the project’s potential impact on the local defense tech sector: “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 aligns with the Department of Defense’s proposed $850 billion budget for 2025, which emphasizes investment in advanced technologies and public-private partnerships to enhance national security. The facility plans to offer access to classified networks, workforce development programs, facilitated events and technical services, thereby fostering innovation among small and medium-sized businesses.

Situated within Tampa’s Urban Core Opportunity Zone and HUB Zone, Collaborative Werx will provide both short- and long-term leasing options for defense contractors seeking permanent office solutions.

Tampa Bay’s Defense Industry Landscape

Tampa Bay is a significant hub for defense and security operations, partly due to the presence of MacDill Air Force Base, which hosts over 30,000 personnel and two major commands: U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The region’s defense and security industry encompasses sectors such as aviation, cybersecurity, information technology, intelligence, advanced manufacturing and training/simulation.

According to a 2024 report by the Florida Defense Support Commission, defense spending contributed approximately $16.6 billion to the Tampa Bay area’s gross regional product, supporting over 152,000 jobs and accounting for 5.3% of the region’s economy.