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Great, I’ll gather a comprehensive list of maker-related resources in Minnesota, including makerspaces, hackerspaces, fab labs, educational programs, nonprofit and government initiatives, and small-batch manufacturing or startup incubators. I’ll include detailed descriptions and links for each resource, and compile everything into a structured Markdown file.

I’ll let you know when it’s ready for you to review.

Minnesota Maker Resources: A Comprehensive Guide

Makerspaces and Hackerspaces

Note: Other Minnesota communities have launched makerspaces in recent years (e.g. Make-It Mac’s Makerspace in St. Cloud and the Rabbit Hole in Rochester), but these have struggled to remain open long-term. Always check current status before planning a visit.

Fab Labs and Community Workshops

  • Century College Fab Lab (White Bear Lake) – A “hi-tech tinkerer’s workshop” located on Century College’s East Campus (Digital Fabrication Lab - Century College). This digital fabrication lab is equipped with tools for computer-aided design and desktop manufacturing, allowing students and community learners to prototype and build almost anything. The Fab Lab features laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, vinyl cutters and other fabrication technology, and offers training through the college’s Continuing Education programs (Digital Fabrication Lab - Century College) (Digital Fabrication Lab - Century College). Location: 3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. Website: century.edu/…/digital-fabrication-lab. Access: Open to Century College students (for class and personal projects) and to the public via workshops or special events.

  • Saint Paul Public Library – Innovation Lab (St. Paul) – A free public makerspace inside the George Latimer Central Library downtown. The Innovation Lab is a hands-on workspace stocked with tools for 3D printing, vinyl cutting, laser engraving, sewing, media conversion, and more (Innovation Lab Equipment & Software - Saint Paul Public Library) (Innovation Lab | Saint Paul Public Library). Any adult (18+) with a St. Paul library card can become a member at no cost and use the equipment after a brief orientation (Innovation Lab | Saint Paul Public Library) (Innovation Lab | Saint Paul Public Library). The lab provides software, supplies, and staff support to help tinkerers, entrepreneurs, artists and hobbyists bring their ideas to life. Location: 90 W. 4th St., St. Paul, MN 55102. Website: sppl.org/innovation-lab. Access: Free – library membership and orientation required for independent use (the space is open to the public during staffed hours).

  • Minnesota Children’s Museum – The Studio (St. Paul) – The Children’s Museum in St. Paul includes a makerspace studio among its exhibits, aimed at encouraging hands-on creativity in kids and families. It is equipped with tools and materials for woodworking, circuit building, tinkering and art – for example, visitors can use real tools like sewing machines, simple circuits, and other supplies to design and build crafts and inventions (Makerspace Movement - Minnesota Children's Museum). As a museum-based makerspace, The Studio introduces children to the maker mindset in a play-focused environment. Location: 10 W 7th St., St. Paul, MN 55102. Website: mcm.org (see The Studio exhibit page). Access: Included with museum admission; open to all museum visitors (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Educational Programs with Maker Facilities

  • Apple Valley High School Fab Lab (Apple Valley) – A fully equipped fabrication laboratory integrated into a public high school. Opened in 2014 as part of a STEM pathway, the AVHS Fab Lab gives students (and even community partners) the ability to translate ideas into reality using digital fabrication tools (Fab Lab - Apple Valley High School) (Fab Lab - Apple Valley High School). It’s essentially a mini “invention workshop” on campus with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines and more, following the MIT Fab Lab model. The lab supports courses and clubs where students prototype projects and learn engineering, and it has also hosted community education events. Location: 14450 Hayes Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124. Website: avhs.district196.org/academics/fab-lab. Note: This was one of the first high-school Fab Labs in Minnesota and is part of a growing network of K-12 makerspaces in the state.

  • Mahtomedi High School Fab Lab (Mahtomedi) – The first Fab Lab in a K-12 setting in Minnesota (opened 2011) (Mahtomedi's Fab Lab brings world-class engineering to students), Mahtomedi’s fabrication lab is a state-of-the-art design/make center for students. It features industry-grade equipment (laser cutters, CNC routers, etc.) and supports a curriculum ranging from toy engineering in elementary grades to advanced engineering and manufacturing courses in high school (Strengthening Digital Arts and Engineering Pathways | Mahtomedi ...). The lab has been nationally recognized for bringing world-class engineering opportunities to students. Location: 8000 75th St N, Mahtomedi, MN 55115. Website: (School site > Engineering program). Note: Mahtomedi’s Fab Lab is often showcased as a model for integrating makerspaces into education.

  • University of Minnesota – Makerspaces (Minneapolis & St. Paul) – The U of M operates numerous makerspaces and fabrication labs across its campuses for student and faculty use. Key facilities include: the Anderson Student Innovation Labs (prototyping labs with design/build space for College of Science & Engineering students), the Bakken Medical Devices Center prototyping lab (open to all university innovators), and library makerspaces such as the Toaster Innovation Hub in Walter Library and the Health Sciences Library Makerspace (UMN Makerspaces and Shops | UMN Makers). These spaces are equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics benches, sewing machines and more, often free for U of M students with required training. Locations: Multiple (Walter Library, Mayo Building, Keller Hall, Rapson Hall, etc. on the UMN Twin Cities campus) (UMN Makerspaces and Shops | UMN Makers) (UMN Makerspaces and Shops | UMN Makers). Website: makers.umn.edu. Access: Generally restricted to University of Minnesota students, staff, and faculty (with some labs prioritizing certain colleges).

  • University of St. Thomas – create[space] (St. Paul) – A hub of creativity and innovation for St. Thomas students, located in the Anderson Student Center on campus. The create[space] is a dynamic makerspace where students from any discipline can experiment and build projects – from sewing clothing and school spirit gear to 3D printing prototypes (Creativity, Innovation, Community: What We Make in the create[space] - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas). It’s staffed by student workers and a program manager who help maintain equipment and mentor users. Location: Anderson Student Center, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. Website: (Internal university site – create[space]). Access: All St. Thomas students (and often faculty/staff) can use the space; no additional cost, as it’s funded by the university.

  • St. Cloud State University – Husky Make-It Space (St. Cloud) – SCSU’s makerspace and fabrication lab, housed in Headley Hall, supports students across campus as well as community partners working on projects. Its mission is to provide access to a wide variety of fabrication tools for prototyping and education (Facilities | St. Cloud State University). The Make-It Space offers services including 3D printing (ABS plastic), laser cutting/engraving, vinyl sticker cutting, large-format printing, and even CNC plasma cutting and routing for woodworking/metalworking (Facilities | St. Cloud State University). Location: Headley Hall 116, SCSU, St. Cloud, MN. Website: (SCSU Environmental & Technological Studies – Facilities). Access: Primarily for SCSU students and faculty; the mention of community partners means external educational collaborations are possible with permission (Facilities | St. Cloud State University).

  • Other Educational Maker Programs: Many Minnesota schools and colleges now incorporate maker labs. For example, Shakopee High School’s Innovation Hub includes a Fab Lab for students to engage in hands-on design and fabrication (Innovation Hub / Fab Lab), and Century College and several MN State colleges offer Fab Labs or “makerspaces” as part of technical and arts education. Even some private K-12 schools like Mounds Park Academy have dedicated makerspaces (e.g. the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace at MPA). These educational makerspaces are typically curriculum-supported and meant to enrich learning in STEM/STEAM fields.

Government and Nonprofit Initiatives for Makers

  • Minnesota Tool Library (Minneapolis & St. Paul) – A cooperative, volunteer-driven nonprofit that promotes “access over ownership” of tools (MN Tool Library). The MN Tool Library allows members of the public to borrow from an inventory of over 8,000 tools – ranging from power drills and saws to garden tools – just like checking out books (MN Tool Library). Both branch locations also have workshop space on-site (with equipment like table saws, lathes, workbenches, etc.) that members can use for projects they can’t easily do at home (MN Tool Library). They also host DIY classes and Fix-It clinics. Locations: Northeast Minneapolis (Thorp Building, 1620 Central Ave NE) and St. Paul (North End, 1010 Dale St. N) (MN Tool Library). Website: mntoollibrary.org. Membership: Annual memberships available on a sliding scale, giving unlimited tool checkouts and shop access during open hours (MN Tool Library) (MN Tool Library).

  • Leonardo’s Basement (Minneapolis) – An innovative educational nonprofit (founded 1998) that many consider the “oldest all-ages makerspace” in the world. Leonardo’s Basement offers year-round inventive workshops and camps where youth (and occasionally adults) design and build projects of their own imagination (Mission - Leonardo's Basement). The organization provides a rich assortment of materials and tools for engineering, art, and technology projects – from welding and woodworking to coding and crafting. Location: 2 Malcolm Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 (Mission - Leonardo's Basement). Website: leonardosbasement.org. Programs: After-school classes, summer camps, family build events, and even partnerships with schools. (It’s not a drop-in public workshop; activities are structured as classes or sponsored sessions.)

  • Maker Meetups and Events: Various nonprofits and volunteer groups support the maker community through events. For instance, organizations have hosted Mini Maker Faires and maker expos in Minnesota (the Twin Cities hosted full-fledged Maker Faires in past years, and smaller events like Maker Fair Minnesota in St. Peter celebrate local artisans and crafters). These events, often run by volunteers or education nonprofits, provide makers with venues to showcase projects, learn from each other, and inspire the public – helping grow the maker movement at the grassroots level (Makerspace Movement - Minnesota Children's Museum) (Makerspace Movement - Minnesota Children's Museum). (While events are not physical resources, they are key community-building initiatives for makers in Minnesota.)

  • Community Education Programs: Many city and county community education departments (often affiliated with public school districts) run maker-focused programs or clubs. For example, Minneapolis Community Ed has offered adult classes in 3D printing and electronics, Rochester Public Library hosts a teen makerspace program, and Willmar’s GLARS (Great Lakes Aerospace Science & Education Center) features a makerspace for youth. These initiatives, typically nonprofit or government-funded, aim to broaden access to maker skills and tools at a local level.

Startup Incubators and Prototyping Support

  • Launch Minnesota (State of MN – DEED) – Launch MN is a statewide initiative to accelerate startups and innovation, spearheaded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. It offers Innovation Grants up to $35,000 to promising early-stage businesses to cover R&D, prototyping, product development, and other operational costs (MN: Launch Minnesota Awards Nearly $583,000 to 21 Innovative Startups | Trade and Industry Development). Since its inception in 2019, Launch Minnesota has awarded millions in grants, with a focus on inclusive entrepreneurship (over 60% of grant recipients have been founders in greater MN or from underrepresented groups) (MN: Launch Minnesota Awards Nearly $583,000 to 21 Innovative Startups | Trade and Industry Development) (MN: Launch Minnesota Awards Nearly $583,000 to 21 Innovative Startups | Trade and Industry Development). In addition to funding, Launch MN coordinates a network of startup incubators, education programs, and mentorship to help new technology and manufacturing businesses grow. Website: launchmn.org. Support Offered: Grants, educational events, SBIR/STTR training, and connectivity to investors and incubators.

  • Enterprise Minnesota (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) – Enterprise Minnesota is a nonprofit consulting organization chartered as Minnesota’s official Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate. Its mission is to help small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state to compete and grow. For makers and small-scale manufacturers, Enterprise Minnesota can provide expertise in areas like process improvement, quality management (ISO certification), and even technology adoption (they have helped companies implement additive manufacturing/3D printing capabilities) (Enterprise Minnesota Helps RedEye Put 3D Printing In The Sky | NIST) (Enterprise Minnesota Helps RedEye Put 3D Printing In The Sky | NIST). They publish the Enterprise Minnesota Magazine and conduct an annual State of Manufacturing survey. Website: enterpriseminnesota.org. Support Offered: Business consultations, workshops, and hands-on projects (fees often subsidized by state/federal funds due to MEP program).

  • Incubators & Accelerators with Prototyping Resources: Minnesota is home to several startup incubators and accelerators that assist hardware makers and product developers in moving from prototype to production. For example, gener8tor runs a gBETA Medtech accelerator in Minneapolis (with access to lab space through partners), and the University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) in St. Paul provides wet labs and light manufacturing space for biotech and medtech startups. Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) offers a BIPOC business accelerator that has helped entrepreneurs set up small production operations. While these organizations are not makerspaces open to the public, they do support makers transitioning into manufacturing by providing workspace, mentorship, and sometimes funding. Checking in with regional innovation hubs like Forge North (a Twin Cities startup coalition) can point new entrepreneurs to available prototyping labs, incubator programs, or fabrication resources geared toward startups.

  • Small Batch Manufacturing Support: Beyond formal incubators, Minnesota has resources for entrepreneurs who need to produce short runs of products. Protolabs (based in Maple Plain) and Fastenal’s Cold Spring prototyping center are private companies that offer quick-turn prototyping and low-volume manufacturing services using CNC, injection molding and 3D printing. For a maker-turned-business needing 10–1000 units, these services can bridge the gap before full-scale manufacturing. In addition, initiatives like the Minnesota SBIR/STTR Accelerator (through MN Technology Association) help tech inventors secure federal R&D grants to fund prototype development. Connecting with these resources can significantly help a maker project evolve into a marketable product.

Sources: The information above was gathered from a variety of Minnesota-specific resources including local makerspace websites, news articles, and official program pages. Key references include the Twin Cities Maker and Nordeast Makers websites (Twin Cities Maker - HackerspaceWiki) (young woodworking professionals | Woodworking Network), the Minnesota Tool Library site (MN Tool Library), Minnesota Children’s Museum’s blog on the maker movement (Makerspace Movement - Minnesota Children's Museum), educational institution pages (University of Minnesota Makerspaces (UMN Makerspaces and Shops | UMN Makers), St. Thomas create[space] (Creativity, Innovation, Community: What We Make in the create[space] - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas), St. Cloud State’s Make-It Space (Facilities | St. Cloud State University)), and state program announcements for Launch Minnesota (MN: Launch Minnesota Awards Nearly $583,000 to 21 Innovative Startups | Trade and Industry Development), among others. These sources are cited in-line for further exploration of each resource.