The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Board of Directors approved lease terms between the JTA and the JAXUSA Partnership to create the Open Innovation Center at JRTC business accelerator space inside the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla.

The 3,900-square-foot Open Innovation Center at JRTC will be located on the second level of the multimodal hub and feature innovation and technology training for entrepreneurs and employees.

The Chamber’s Venture Services Division will be based inside the JRTC. Through its JAX Bridges program for entrepreneurs, the Chamber has completed pilots on open innovation and entrepreneurial acceleration that will be offered to innovators and corporate partners in the new center.

The innovation space will become a place to explore different innovation models and advance innovative thinking. For the JAX Chamber, it presents a brand of innovation that positions the region as an attractive partner for corporate innovation, entrepreneurism, and SMART City initiatives.