MGMWERX celebrates grand opening of new innovative, creative space

From left to right, Elton N. Dean Sr., Montgomery County Commission chairman, Mayor of Montgomery Todd Strange, Steve Werner, MGMWERX director, Lt. Gen. Anthony Cotton, Air University commander and president, Charles Jinright, Montgomery City council president, Richard Bollinger, Montgomery City councilman, and Willie Durham, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce chairman cut the ribbon signifying the grand opening of the new MGMWERX location, Jan. 29, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama. The collaborators of MGMWERX and other partners gathered together to celebrate a milestone for MGMWERX. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexa Culbert)

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MGMWERX celebrates grand opening of new innovative, creative space

Attendees of the grand opening of the new MGMWERX location mingle within the new facility, Jan. 29, 2019, downtown Montgomery, Alabama. The new facility keeps to an Air Force theme, with details such as aircraft wings stretched out across the ceiling, and fosters an environment for new ideas with almost every surface being a white board with markers readily available. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexa Culbert)

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MGMWERX celebrates grand opening of new innovative, creative space

Published Feb. 7, 2019
By Senior Airman Alexa Culbert
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --

MGMWERX opened their doors to partners from Air University and Montgomery for the grand opening of their new innovation hub Jan. 29, 2019, in downtown Montgomery.

MGMWERX is a collaboration between the City of Montgomery, the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County and Air University to foster innovative thinking and problem solving for some of the most pressing Air Force issues.

“MGMWERX has quickly flourished in supporting Air University initiatives,” said Steve Werner, MGMWERX director. “This grand opening is our opportunity to expose a greater audience to the meaning and value of the WERX ecosystem, show the power of innovation when immersed in a collaborative environment, and inspire community involvement in championing new ideas and solutions.”

The new location features nearly 5,200 square feet of highly modifiable space with glass partitions that MGMWERX partners can use as a writing space, as well as reconfigurable chairs and tables. This allows MGMWERX partners to maximize the space for their needs.

In line with their theme of maximizing space, almost every surface is a white board, making it easier to jot down ideas as they are thought up.

The mission of MGMWERX is to team-up organizations that wouldn’t normally collaborate and the new facility allows people outside of the River Region to join the team. The new space is a part of the Montgomery Internet Exchange, a system that can host up to 250 individuals calling in via teleconferencing.

“MGMWERX is the latest milestone in our technology and innovation strategy that is focused on connecting and leveraging Montgomery’s unique technology-related assets – with IT talent being one of the top. The center will drive collaboration and innovation that just wasn’t possible before and will leverage talent from across sectors to come up with creative solutions,” said Joe Greene, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce vice president.

MGMWERX currently has more than 1,400 active participants through the WERX Wednesdays, and MGMWERX Pitch Nights.