The annual Vermont downtown conference generously invited Burlington Generator to share our story and insights around makerspaces and local economic development.

1. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
TRANSFORMING EMPTY BUILDINGS INTO
ECONOMIC DRIVERS
The Case of Burlington Generator

2. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
What Is a Makerspace?
A shared shop with access to
unusual tools.1

3. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
A sandbox for learning,
experimentation and collaboration2
What Is a Makerspace?

4. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
An incubator of ideas, products
and new business ventures.3
What Is a Makerspace?

5. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Movement Highlights
Over 2,000 makerspaces nationwide
generating dozens of products like
MakerBot which are being seen at
places like the OSTP White House
makerfaire, all part of a growing culture
of DIY invention and entrepreneurship.

6. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Burlington Generator
A publicly supported makerspace in the
heart of the nation’s 100 percent
renewables-powered gigabit city.

7. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator Background
Founded March 2014
Supported by the City of Burlington
Sustained by strong community,
philanthropic investment
Key partners include BCA, UVM,
Champlain College

8. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator Buildout
Designated downtown transition zone
6,000ft/sq light industrial space
Workshops include woodworking, metal,
jewelry
Tools include laser cutter, 3D printer, 4-
axis mill, CNC router, design workstations

9. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference

10. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference

11. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator People
180 members
27 volunteers
17 studios
3 “exchange” partners
1 corporate partner

12. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference

13. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator Programs
Classes include certifications,
jewelry, welding, microelectronics,
design
1

14. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator Programs
Events include pitch
competitions, social hours,
teacher training workshops, tours
2

15. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Generator Programs
Activities community builds, sales,
equipment maintenance, talks
3

16. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Economic Terms
Workforce development and training
* Upskill employees
* Lateral mobility
* Train new workers

17. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Economic Terms
Product development and fabrication
* Design
* Prototype
* Production runs

18. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Economic Terms
Livelihood and income generation
* Market entry
* Product sales
* Contract hire

19. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
What’s Next
Growth new home, expanded toolset
Accelerator increased business support
Impact data and econometrics

20. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Longterm Vision
Burlington is a center of excellence
Generator serves a thriving ecosystem
“Made in BTV” is shared, recognized

21. GENERATOR, INC | 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference
Thank You
Lars Hasselblad Torres
Burlington Generator
250 Main Street, Memorial Auditorium
802-595-0605
http://generatorvt.com