Nonprofit Danbury Hackerspace Scores Over $500K In State Funding

DANBURY, CT — A local makerspace has been awarded over a half-million dollars under the Community Investment Fund 2030.

Danbury Hackerspace/Innovation Studios, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded in 2012, has been given a $510,761 grant from CIF to build out its makerspace facilities at the former Crown Plaza Hotel. These will include wood and metal shops, co-working space, 3D printing, laser cutting, and a pottery studio.

The grant is part of $99 million in state funding to support the second round of grants under the CIF 2030, a program established in 2022 to support economic development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut.

The fund is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and overseen by a 21-member board. The board reviews applications and makes recommendations to Gov. Ned Lamont, who approves and forwards the applications to the State Bond Commission in his capacity as its chairperson. It is anticipated to release up to $875 million in grants in a five-year period, according to a news release Thursday from the Governor's Office.

Danbury Hackerspace is one of 28 projects from 20 municipalities that cashed in on the second round of grants.

"Over the next several years, this program will be responsible for providing an incredible amount of opportunities for Connecticut’s cities and towns to revitalize their economic base and chart a path of equitable growth. Each of these projects supports this goal, and I am glad we’ve been able to get them approved," Lamont said.