Expanding Access to Innovation: Lacey MakerSpace Offers Scholarships for Local Residents
The Lacey MakerSpace has announced an exciting initiative to support local residents by offering nine scholarships that provide free one-year memberships. These scholarships are available to individuals living in Olympia and Lacey, with five reserved for Olympia residents and four for Lacey residents. The program aims to remove financial barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of their economic background, can access the facility’s advanced tools and resources.
Located in Zaverl Hall at Saint Martin’s University, the 8,000-square-foot space is equipped with a wide range of high-tech equipment. Visitors can explore woodworking, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, metalworking, stained glass, textiles, and more. This diverse array of tools makes the MakerSpace a valuable resource for both hobbyists and professionals looking to develop new skills or refine existing ones.
Michelle Pope, the director of the Lacey MakerSpace, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “We don’t ever want money to be a barrier for anybody to join,” she said. “Anyone who’s looking for an opportunity to learn a new skill to better themselves in whatever path they’re taking should have access.”
Standard membership fees at the MakerSpace range from $40 to $60 per month, which can add up to as much as $660 over the course of a year. The scholarships eliminate these costs, making it possible for more people to take advantage of the facility’s offerings.
The program is made possible through a partnership between the Lacey MakerSpace and the cities of Olympia and Lacey. The City of Lacey has been a strong supporter of the MakerSpace since its opening in 2021. According to a statement from the city, it has invested over $1.2 million in equipment, operations, and a 2023 expansion. Additionally, the city provides a $200,000 annual investment to sustain the facility.
This collaboration benefits not only individuals but also local businesses and entrepreneurs. The MakerSpace serves as a hub for innovation, allowing business owners to experiment with new ideas, prototype products, and expand their operations. Through partnerships with organizations like the EDC’s Center for Business & Innovation, the city funds several scholarship programs that help entrepreneurs gain critical skills and grow their ventures.
Recipients of the scholarship must keep a credit card on file to cover machine time fees, which apply to certain machines requiring additional operating costs. These fees amount to $20 per month. While the scholarship covers the base membership fee, users may still need to pay for specific tool usage.
Eligibility for the scholarships is open to anyone aged 12 or older. However, minors must have a parent or legal guardian complete the application process and be supervised while using the facility. Applicants must also not have held an active membership to the Lacey MakerSpace in the past year.
Applications for the scholarships will be accepted on a rolling basis, but the review process is set to begin on Monday, July 21. Interested individuals can find the application online, making it easy for residents of both Olympia and Lacey to participate.
This initiative represents a significant step toward making technology and creative resources more accessible to the community. By removing financial barriers, the Lacey MakerSpace is helping to foster a culture of innovation and lifelong learning.
