Makerspace wins $220K grant

Makerspace wins $220K grant

The Geek Group in Grand Rapids is a nonprofit makerspace that brings "ideas, tools and people together." Courtesy The Geek Group

A nonprofit makerspace has been awarded a hefty grant from the Michigan Energy Office.

The Geek Group, which supports the development and delivery of member-based projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and manufacturing, or STEAM, has been awarded a $220,000 grant that will go toward the organization’s $473,000 project to complete energy efficient updates to its 43,000-square-foot location at 902 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids.

The project includes replacing the windows and entryways along Leonard Street, replacing the roof and adding a new energy-efficient HVAC system. The project would allow The Geek Group to double the number of people it can help, as well as improve the overall community on the Leonard Street corridor.

“We are pleased to partner with The Geek Group to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and contribute to neighborhood vitality through facility investments that create jobs,” said Robert Jackson, director of the Michigan Energy Office.