It all started with an idea: creating a place for local Decatur student robotics teams to practice. A few parents, prompted by Decatur Makers founders Garrett Goebel and Lew Lefton, took it a step further. Their thought was that a place where a diverse group of kids and adults could use tools and work together to learn skills and build things would be a great resource for our community.
Their vision was shared by many residents and businesses within the Decatur area who understood the benefits of having a maker community to support the learning, creating, and innovating that comes with making all kinds of things.
As it turns out, they were definitely on to something, and we continue to grow our membership and programs, and make a positive impact in the larger Atlanta and SE regional community.
Meet the Founders
We would never have gotten off the ground without the generosity of our founding members. Individuals, families, companies, and organizations all around Decatur and Atlanta supported us from the start with founding memberships. You can still help us in this way with a Cornerstone Membership.
Build Level
Little Shop of Stories
Rob and Gwyneth Butera
The Coleson Family in honor of Harold Coleson
Jason McGregor
Maureen Haley
Decatur Book Festival
Preston Ladds
Scott Banks
Revolution Doughnuts
Decatur Arts Alliance
Brown Mfg. Company
Chalice Thrift
Newt and Vicki White
Chris Goode and Donna Maney
Anonymous
Atlanta Bar-B-Q Club
Share Level
Garrett Goebel and Georgina Peacock
The Sebelik Family
Big Nerd Ranch
Decatur Downtown Development Authority
Calico Cove
The Redwine Foundation
The Lloyd Family
City of Decatur
Marc Wisniewski and Cindy Lemons
Explore Level
Bill Sandidge and Nancy Koughan
Decatur Education Foundation
Lew Lefton and Enid Steinbart
The Dooley Family
First Christian Church of Decatur
Anonymous
How We Started and Where We’re Headed
2012
- Garrett emails Lew reviving the previously discussed idea of a Decatur Hackerspace
- Decatur Makerspace Google group launched on 11/7/2012, our official birthday
2013
- DM meeting at the Corner Pub (mission statement drafted)
- Articles of incorporation accepted by the state. We formally exist!
- Proposal to FCCD to use their gym for a makerspace
- Fiscal sponsorship signed with Decatur Education Foundation
2014
- Five year lease signed to begin after renovations are complete.
- Power turned on and Comcast Internet service installed
- New DM logo created, new roof installed and bathroom finished
- Kickstarter successful, raised $22,862, exceeding $15,000 goal smashed
2015
- First monthly members meeting
- 501(c)3 federal tax exempt status approved
- Official lease clock starts: five-year lease ends June 30, 2020
2016
- Vanity call sign W4BSE approved for amateur radio interest group
- Part-time associate director hired!
- BioLab created in the makerspace
2017
- Part-time associate director becomes full-time executive director!
- Grand opening Celebration with a ribbon-cutting Rube Goldberg kickoff by Mayor Garrett
- Exceed 100 members in our membership
2018
- Part-time makerspace manager hired
- Create two rolling costumes for kids through magic wheelchair
- Pass 200 members in our membership
2019
- Part-time makerspace manager becomes full-time
- Accepted into MakerEd Making Spaces program
- Inaugural Make It Up! Improv Show fundraiser at Eddie’s Attic
- West Ponce Music Stroll non-profit recipient and leadership team
- Exceed 300 members in our membership
2020
- Fiscal agent and leadership team member for the Atlanta Beats Covid PPE-making initiative
- New five-year lease signed with FCC: Ends June 30, 2025
- Full-time maker education manager hired
- Surpass 400 members in our membership