Small business owners (and fans of the show Making It) will appreciate this: A new Maker Space opened inside Catapult last month.

The 9,500-sqft space — available for use by all innovators + creators in Lakeland with a monthly membership — is fully stocked with state-of-the-art machinery to produce artisan crafted, local goods.

(Bonus: Maker Space members can add on Coworking to their membership to get all of Catapult’s membership perks + resources to take an idea or business to the next level.)

Maker Space member at the sewing station | Photo via Catapult

Few limitations exist in the Maker Space. From 3D printers and saws to embroidery machines and drills, makers can have access to equipment they might not be able to afford in their own “at-home” workshop. Check out the complete machinery list.

From startups and large corporations to hobbyists, tinkerers, and students, the Maker Space allows anyone with an idea and needs access to machinery to make it into a physical product. So far, people have made furniture, 3D printed a working drone, sewn apparel (check out these cute headbands from East of These), produced electronic prototypes + more.

When members join they have access to the space Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., but they can graduate to 24/7 access individually over time.

Maker Space Director Brett Chamberlain has experience with a variety of equipment housed in the Maker Space. So, if new Maker Space users are unfamiliar with a machine or unsure how to transform an idea into a real product, he is here to help point you in the right direction.

Additional training courses will be offered in the near future. (Are you a local trade expert? Contact Catapult to see if you can teach a future class.)

Maker Space members working at an assembly table | Photo via Catapult

Interested? Monthly memberships for the Maker Space cost $130, and makers will need to participate in safety + equipment training before operating machinery. Apply here or schedule a tour of the space below. Ⓟ

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