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In conjunction with the first ever White House Maker Faire, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin announced today that Madison is taking the Mayors Maker Challenge.

The Mayors Maker Challenge is supported by the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities and encourages cities to recognize the role that innovation, creation, and entrepreneurship play in building our economy. Through the Mayors Maker Challenge, Mayor Paul Soglin will designate Maker Liaisons in the City’s Economic Development Division and collaborate with Madison’s leading maker space, Sector 67, on planning a new entrepreneurial hub known as Starting Block that includes a permanent home for Sector 67.
 

"From food to software, Madison is driving the innovation engine of Wisconsin," Mayor Soglin said. "Across the country, Madison is known for the groundbreaking research being conducted at the University of Wisconsin and, increasingly, for our leadership in the food economy. Taking the maker challenge will elevate our profile as an engine of creativity and entrepreneurship."

Madison is home to a number of maker-oriented spaces including:

  • Sector 67 – a non-profit hackerspace or collaborative or space dedicated to providing an environment to learn, teach, work-on, build, and create the next generation of technology including software, hardware, electronics, art, sewing, pottery, glass, metalwork, applications, and games. Sector 67 is located at 2100 Winnebago Street.
  • Food Enterprise & Economic Development (FEED) Kitchens – The FEED facility includes five commercial kitchens specially equipped to support burgeoning food businesses and entrepreneurs as well as a training kitchen for educational and community uses. FEED is located at 1219 N. Sherman Avenue.
  • Madison Bubbler – A project of the Madison Public Library, the Bubbler hosts hands-on pop-up workshops where local experts share their talents and resources. The library hosts workshops at nine library branches and maintains the Bubbler Room at the Central Public Library.

Contacts

  • Aaron Olver - Economic Development, 608-261-9983
  • Katie Crawley - Mayor's Office, 608-266-4611