https://manufacturing.gppcpa.com/enewsletters/article/how-manufacturing-incubators-are-moving-manufacturing-into-the-21st-century/
This gives a general summary of what manufacturing incubators are
''Concept of Incubators''
Business concept that was first developed in the 1950s.
Usually, incubators offer a stable place to develop business concepts (office space, ability to network) along with infrastructure to turn these concepts into reality
Typically associated with technology firms.
''Incubators in Manufacturing ''
Require more expensive, different resources (in comparison to technology startups.) This include tools, machinery, etc(shared so they're affrodable).
Decline in manufacturing jobs in the U.S. in the last several decades.
Benefits - (1) access to common tools and infrastructure (2) collaboration and idea sharing (3) networking (4) business infrastructure
''Economic Impacts of Manufacturing Incubators ''
Gaining manufacturing jobs in the U.S. from foreign countries. This is partly due to rising wages in China and India and partly due to new technologies. Result is increased demand for those manufacturing incubators.
Written in 2015about an incubator in Chicago
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-industrial-incubator-0210-biz-20150209-story.html
Charges $8-$11 per square foot rent (less than price for comparable space in its neighborhood.)
Written in August 2016 https://medium.com/@ChicagosMayor/chicagos-manufacturing-businesses-are-getting-their-own-incubator-6a692ceeee82
New manufacturing incubator called mHub. Their website is very cool and organized. https://mhubchicago.com/
63,000 square-foot
can serve hundreds of startups at one time (on the members page of their website I notice they are very few startups that actually do manufacturing)
10 fabrication labs equipped with a 3D-printing lab, electronics labs, plastic molding, textiles,welding and grinding, wood shop, and wet lab.
partner with business accelerator programs, venture capitalists, engineering and product development consultancies, and universities