“Our organization has always been a place where community members can learn, explore, and create using advanced technologies. Through our partnership with Manufacturing Works, we can provide those same resources to local manufacturers and inventors while maintaining our focus on education. I know of several products and businesses that wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without the education component from us and the technologies and the resources Manufacturing Works has collocated in our space.”
David Maulik
Coordinator, Maker Space 307
Maker Space 307, based in Riverton, Wyoming, is a hub for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
By providing access to advanced tools, technology, and hands-on education, Maker Space 307 enables individuals and businesses to turn their ideas into reality.
Whether through collaborative workspaces, technical training, or access to cutting-edge equipment, the organization fosters skill development across multiple disciplines, ranging from traditional craftsmanship to modern technology.
THE CHALLENGE
Maker Space 307 primarily funded their operations through education grants, donations, and membership fees. While these funding sources supported learning opportunities for makers, students, and the community, they restricted the organization from offering small-scale access to equipment for production runs for local businesses. This gap left manufacturers struggling to bridge the transition from concept validation to initial product launch.
Additionally, local companies needed access to specialized equipment—such as 3D printers (Fused Deposition Modeling), Stereolithography (SLA), laser cutters, and other advanced tools—to refine their designs and produce initial test batches.
MEP CENTER’S ROLE
To address this challenge, Maker Space 307 partnered with Manufacturing Works to provide education and access to the necessary machines to meet local businesses’ prototyping and early production needs.
This collaboration enabled the organization to extend its support beyond education, allowing manufacturers to accelerate product development while maintaining affordability.