Who and What We Are

Stateline Makerpace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community workshop and laboratory. The ‘space provides an environment for tinkerers, artists, engineers, designers, machinists, hobbyists, programmers, makers, and thinkers to collaborate and have access to tools and learning opportunities to pursue their interests.

The ‘space is for…

• tinkerers and builders who would love to have a shop at home, but for lack of space can’t set something up in the apartment, condo, etc., where they live.
• inventors, entrepreneurs, and start-ups who need to develop and prototype their ideas.
• artists who need access to specialized equipment and instruction on how to build their vision.
• educators who want to learn about and incorporate STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) into their curriculum.
• students who want to continue their STEM/STEAM activities and projects outside of the normal school schedule (during summer, holiday breaks, etc.)
• small businesses that need access to equipment for new product development or other occasional needs.
• retirees looking for a place to take their hobby to the next level — or looking for a new hobby.
• hobbyists to learn from and collaborate with others who have similar interests (robotics, model building, electronics, automation, woodworking — any creative pursuit).
• workers interested in learning new technical or other skills to make themselves more marketable in today’s job market.
• those who want to learn about and explore the intersection of technology, manufacturing, and the arts.

Benefits to the Community

• Get people interested and active in manufacturing and technology careers.
• Provide tools to tinkerers of all ages to which they might not normally have access.
• Provide the tools and skills to anyone who wants to make sophisticated and neat things.
• Facilitate development of products that could develop into new companies in our region.
• Provide a collaborative environment to train for sought-after workplace skills

Classes and Workshops

Classes and workshops on how to safely use tools and equipment are a key component of the ‘space. They are geared to quickly bringing a complete novice up to speed, and typically are member-organized and taught, meaning the limitation is only the know-how and interests of the membership. Classes include: basic woodworking, electronics, programming, welding, soldering, machining, 3d CAD/CAM, 3d printing, ceramics/pottery, screen printing and many more! (A more complete list of classes and workshops is available on the Events page, and registration for currently scheduled classes is available via our Events Registration System. New classes and workshops are being added all the time, so be sure to check back often.)

Funding

To help keep costs low, the ‘space is all volunteer and member-driven. In addition to paying dues, members are expected to donate their time to help maintain the facility and equipment, teach other members skills they have mastered, and participate in educational outreach to the greater Rockford community and the entire stateline area. A fundamental goal is to make learning opportunities and membership accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means.

To realize the goals of having space available to everyone and to have the resources to actively pursue STEM/STEAM educational outreach in the community, Stateline Makerspace also seeks donations and grants from community businesses and organizations to help defray equipment and operating costs.

Our History

Stateline Makerspace was founded in December 2021 by three persons who were then members of another makerspace in the area; two of those were members on the Operations Committee for nearly five years at the time. They saw the problems and flaws in that makerspace and, when their concerns were mostly ignored by the Board of Directors and building landlord, they decided to create a new makerspace, correcting the errors the other makerspace was making.

They incorporated Stateline Makerspace Inc NFP as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity, effective 21 January 2022, with a public charity status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 509(a)(2). They originally thought the incorporation and NFP status was going to be the most difficult part. Turns out: that wasn’t the case.

More to follow . . .