In September 2016, the REDC board of directors approved a plan to support the launch of a makerspace for the Rutland region. The plan includes three years of free rent and utilities in our building at 112 Quality Lane in Rutland and $50,000 of startup capital from a special job creation fund donated to us by Green Mountain Power.
Businesses and community members are already joining in!
- VELCO raised over $10,000 to support the launch of the makerspace at a celebration of VELCO’s 60th anniversary.
- Green Mountain Power donated furniture.
- Community members joined makerspace volunteers at a pumpkin carving party that included assembling battery powered LED pumpkin lights.
Since then, Greater Rutland Makerspace volunteers made considerable progress towards opening their doors to the public. They have reorganized the space by removing walls to accommodate a wood shop, metal shop, studio space, storage, and floor space for larger projects, and electrical work is nearly complete. We stopped by yesterday to check out the newly-painted walls, and we are thrilled to watch the transformation from a functional industrial space to an inspirational makerspace! The space will open to the public by early spring.
Get involved!
There are many ways to get involved. Connect with the Greater Rutland Makerspace through Facebook, join their Meetup group, get on their mailing list… or even get in on their membership pre-sale.
Makerspace volunteers have been hard at work preparing the space for the arrival of equipment and furniture. Follow them on Facebook to see the latest updates.