Once associated primarily with urban innovation centers and academic institutions, makerspaces are increasingly becoming vital assets in rural areas. These shared workshops are transforming how residents in smaller towns access tools, develop skills, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities. n nThe concept has historical roots, with one of the earliest examples emerging in 1821 at the Mechanics Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland, where practical education and resource-sharing were prioritized. Over time, schools, companies, and civic groups have experimented with ways to democratize access to technology and craftsmanship. n nA pivotal moment came in 2011 when the Fayetteville Free Library in New York became the first public library in the U.S. to host a makerspace. Libraries, known for adapting to community demands, have since become ideal hosts. Beyond lending books, many now offer outdoor gear rentals, youth programs, and skill-building workshops—making them natural homes for maker culture. n nIn Ignacio, Colorado, the movement began with informal “Maker Mondays,” where locals engaged in simple craft activities. This caught the attention of Ron Schermacher, a library staff member with a deep interest in hands-on creation. “I’ve had a workshop since middle school, and as I often say, half my name is ‘maker,’” he remarked. His exploration of makerspaces led to a vision: bring one to Ignacio. The library soon introduced a public 3D printer, becoming the first in the region to do so. n n“We’re a small, culturally diverse town, and we wanted to ensure our residents had the same opportunities as those in larger cities,” Schermacher explained. Encouraged by growing interest, the library established a permanent facility called the IdeaLab. n nToday, the IdeaLab supports both hobbyists and aspiring entrepreneurs. Adults use it to test equipment before purchasing their own, while youth collaborate on projects. One notable example involved children aged 9 to 13 constructing a functional model of a pumped-storage hydroelectric system. Their public presentation prompted discussions about renewable energy solutions for the area. n nSchermacher recalled a young regular who returned last summer to share news of his acceptance into Texas A&M’s engineering program. He credited the library’s programs for sparking his interest in the field. n n“For young people, attending maker sessions isn’t just about learning—it’s about connecting with peers who share their passions and forming lasting relationships,” Schermacher said. n nAdults benefit similarly, gaining chances to strengthen community ties, pass on hard-earned skills, and explore creative pursuits they may have set aside earlier in life due to time or financial constraints. n n“People gain confidence in navigating today’s complex world when they know there are spaces dedicated to collaboration, shared experiences, and generating meaningful results,” he added. n nAlongside the IdeaLab, Ignacio now hosts a Repair Café linked to an international network, where residents repair and repurpose items instead of discarding them. Schermacher hopes more community members will utilize what he describes as “an exceptional makerspace for a town of this size.” n nIgnacio’s experience mirrors a broader trend across rural America. In Nebraska, a makerspace supported by the Center for Rural Affairs is making an impact. Angelina Magerl, a Native Communities Associate, manages the facility in Walthill, located near the Omaha Reservation. n n“We have many skilled individuals in our community. My hope is that they don’t just use the space but grow through it,” she said. n nAccess was once a challenge. Initially based at Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, equipment was stored away and had to be retrieved for each use. The situation improved when a former counseling office in Walthill, 12 miles away, became available. “Space is extremely limited here,” Magerl noted. Securing this location was transformative. n nThe updated facility includes eight sewing machines—ranging from embroidery to quilting models—along with a glow forge, 3D printers, sublimation printers, and a freeze dryer for preserving local harvests. It also accommodates workshops, meetings, and nutrition education, functioning as a true community center. n nThis is especially valuable in a region where housing shortages mean families often live in multi-generational homes, leaving little room for personal projects or small business development. “Having a dedicated place to work on marketing materials or prototype new products makes a real difference,” Magerl said. n nProgramming often emphasizes Indigenous traditions. Ahead of the annual Sun Dance Ceremony, classes have covered the creation of ceremonial dresses, shawls, and bandolier bags. Upcoming sessions will focus on crafting with bone beads, shells, and leather. Local artisans frequently lead these workshops, reinforcing community trust and showcasing existing talent. n nNavigating tribal distinctions requires care. The space is on Omaha land, while Magerl is Winnebago. Some participants are cautious about adopting designs specific to other nations. However, younger generations often have mixed heritage, and a diverse teaching staff helps foster inclusivity. n nMagerl also sees economic potential in a region affected by high poverty rates. “We can assist with business planning and even offer lending support,” she said. “It’s about helping people recognize the worth of their ideas and how those can uplift the entire community.” n nFrom Colorado to Nebraska, makerspaces illustrate the adaptability of rural communities and the power of shared knowledge. These hubs not only spark creativity but also highlight the abundance of ideas, insights, and collaborative spirit already present. n
— News Original —
Rural Makerspaces Emerge as Engines of Economic Development
Once considered the domain of urban tech hubs and university labs, makerspaces have quietly found fertile ground in rural communities. These collaborative spaces are reshaping how rural residents learn, create, and even launch businesses. n nThe idea itself isn’t new. The first recorded makerspace dedicated to sharing resources and education with everyday people dates back to 1821 at the Mechanics Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since then, universities, businesses, and community organizations have experimented with ways to make tools, knowledge, and skills more widely accessible. n nIn 2011, the concept entered U.S. public libraries when the Fayetteville Free Library in New York became the first to offer a makerspace. Libraries, always evolving to meet local needs, have proven natural incubators for the movement. Beyond borrowing books, today’s rural patrons often check out hiking poles or fishing gear, attend after-school programs, or learn new skills in community workshops. n nIn Ignacio, Colorado, it all started with a modest experiment called “Maker Mondays.” The gatherings brought neighbors together around simple craft projects, which drew the attention of Ron Schermacher, a new staff member with a lifelong love of tinkering. “I’ve had a shop since 7th grade, and as I like to joke, half my name is ‘maker,’” he said. His research into makerspaces sparked an idea: Why not bring one to Ignacio? Soon, the Ignacio Community Library became the first in the region to offer a 3D printer to the public. n n“As Ignacio is a small, ethnically diverse community, we wanted our citizens to have the same opportunities available to people in larger towns and cities,” Schermacher said. Curiosity and opportunity fueled growth, and the library committed to a permanent makerspace known as the IdeaLab. n nToday, the IdeaLab serves both experimenters and entrepreneurs. Adults often test out equipment before investing in their own tools, while youth take on team projects. One recent highlight included makers ages 9 to 13 building a working pumped-storage hydro model. Their public demonstration sparked serious conversations about how alternative energy might power the local community. n nSchermacher also shared how one young man, a regular visitor in the makerspace’s earliest days, returned last summer to announce his acceptance into Texas A&M’s engineering program. The student credited the library’s influence for helping set him on that path. n n“The benefits of coming together around shared tools and knowledge for the youth who attend makerspace classes includes finding people with similar interests and forming friendships,” Schermacher said. n nAnd for adults, the benefits are similar—building community, sharing skills that have taken years to acquire, and finding new hobbies they may not have had time or resources to pursue when they were younger. n n“Everyone becomes more confident in navigating the complexities of this modern world knowing there are places where people meet to create, share experiences, and make positive outcomes,” Schermacher said. n nAlongside the IdeaLab, Ignacio now hosts an internationally connected Repair Café, where neighbors fix and reuse items rather than discarding them. Schermacher hopes even more residents will take advantage of what he calls “a remarkable makerspace for a community this size.” n nWhat’s happening in Ignacio reflects a larger rural trend. Hundreds of miles away in Nebraska, a makerspace supported by the Center for Rural Affairs is making its mark. Angelina Magerl, a Native Communities Associate with the Center, oversees the space in Walthill, near the heart of the Omaha Reservation. n n“We have a lot of talented people in our community. I would love to see them not just using the makerspace but growing from it,” she said. n nThe space wasn’t always so accessible. Originally housed at Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, the equipment was stored in a closet and had to be hauled out for each use. Everything changed when an old counseling office became available in Walthill, 12 miles away. “In our area, space is very, very limited,” Magerl explained. So gaining this new one has been a game-changer. n nThe facility now boasts eight sewing machines, from embroidery to quilting setups, along with a glow forge, 3D and sublimation printers, and even a freeze dryer for locals to process their harvests. It has room for workshops, meetings, and nutrition demonstrations, making it a true community hub. n nThat matters in a region where housing is tight and families often live in shared, multi-generational homes. For most people, it’s uncommon to have room for crafts, hobbies, or even the beginnings of a small business within their residence. “Having space for people to come and work on things like marketing tools or new products makes a big difference,” Magerl said. n nWorkshops at the makerspace often center on Native traditions. In preparation for the annual Sun Dance Ceremony, classes have included making dresses, shawls, and bandolier bags, while upcoming sessions will turn to bone beads, shells, and leatherwork. Local business owners and artisans frequently serve as instructors, which not only strengthens trust but also highlights the expertise already present within the community. n nHowever, navigating tribal differences can be delicate. The makerspace sits on Omaha land, while Magerl herself is Winnebago. Some participants hesitate to learn designs or colors tied to another tribe’s traditions. But increasingly, young people have mixed heritage, and inviting a diverse roster of teachers helps bridge divides. n nMagerl also sees potential for economic ripple effects in a county where poverty looms large. “We can help with a business plan and even lending services,” she said. “It’s about getting people to see the value in their own ideas and how they can benefit the community.” n nFrom Colorado to Nebraska, makerspaces are proving how adaptive rural communities are and the many ways sharing skills and resources fit local needs. These spaces serve as launchpads for creativity and stand as reminders of abundance: ideas, insights, and neighbors ready to share them. n nThis story first appeared in the Daily Yonder. Read the original here.