Trying to get interest started in a Ocala Makerspace (school, shop)

[ragtop1968]

I have had this idea floating around in my head for some time and hoping I might find folks in Ocala who might can bring it to reality. I emailed it to the mayor and the head of IHMC in Ocala but got no response.

Many communities of creative individuals around the world have set up makerspaces. A shared workspace
of equipment where they can build and share designs and knowledge.

The idea that has been bouncing around in my head is if a group of folks got together, one of these closed
grocery stores could be made into a non-profit makerspace with city and corporate support. The one on Silver Spring Blvd and 25th street would be perfect. It would also bring traffic to a shopping complex that lost it's anchor store.

It would be a great field trip location for school children to learn about soldering and electronics and it
might prove the incubator for future products and businesses located here in Ocala, FL.

The heart of a makerspace is electronics, but all fields (wood & metal working, molds and plastics, engines, etc.) take place in the shared workspace. The area has many retirees who I am sure would like to share their knowledge with others.

I started work on a kickstarter project to raise money for the equipment and tools and they are a big supporter of using kickstarter for that but you have to have a space first.

If you have any interest in helping bring this about, contact me at ragtop1968@cox.net