By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Whitewater officials recently put their support behind an initiative aimed at bringing together people of various talents and backgrounds.
The Community Development Authority’s (CDA) board of directors recently offered to provide $5,000 to Whitewater Makerspace, a inter-generational program aimed at linking people with various skill sets and educational experiences.
The organization’s mission statement, in part, says Whitewater Makerspace members “cross-pollinate ideas, become active and thoughtful consumers and become innovators who build healthy and sustainable communities.”
Makerspace chapters have been cropping up throughout the world. Locally, groups have been formed in such large, urban communities as Chicago and Milwaukee. Makerspace first began in Germany as an opportunity for people to learn through collaboration and hands-on activities.
At the moment, Whitewater Makerspace members are involved in a number of specialties, including 3-D printing, electronics, computer-aided design, arts and sewing, woodshop and laser cutting and etching.
For its part, the CDA pledged its financial support because of the boundless entrepreneurial opportunities that could arise from the initiative, which started just recently in Whitewater.
“It’s an opportunity for like-minded individuals to be together,” said Common Council President Patrick Singer, who serves on the CDA. “I think this is very logical for a community such as Whitewater.”
Five people with varied backgrounds serve as leaders of Whitewater Makerspace. The group’s executive director is Brienne Diebolt-Brown, an experienced grant researcher, proposal writer and program evaluator.
Read the full story in the Nov. 7 edition of the Whitewater Register.
For more information on Whitewater Makerspace, visit www.whitewatermakerspace.org.
