Photo provided Columbus Propeller’s crowdfunding aims to turn a drab, industrial building into a showplace with freshly painted murals, an outdoor kitchen, landscaping and more, as shown in this rendering.
There are few better ways to measure a community’s interest in something than the number of people willing to put up money for it. By that metric, Columbus’ Propeller makerspace at the Columbus Airpark is off to a flying start in its first couple of years, and the sky’s the limit.
The Republic’s Jana Wiersema has been covering developments related to Propeller since it was in the dream stage. The dream that has materialized is a destination in Columbus where people can shape their visions into reality through 3-D printing labs, robotics, electronics, metalworking, woodworking and more. A community of creative types such as this can be an outlet for artists and perhaps even inspire new industries.
Propeller’s aim, in a sense, is to be a dream factory for the community. But it also is positioned to be much more.
Last week, Wiersema reported that a crowdfunding campaign to raise Propeller’s profile had soared past its $50,000 goal, with more than 100 donors contributing more than $72,000.
Sweetening the deal is this: That money will be matched by a $50,000 grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s “CreatINg Places” program. That grassroots program “aims to help generate public involvement in the selection of creative improvements within their own communities, help provide the funding to see the project through completion, and instill community pride when citizens become invested in their surroundings.”
There has been that kind of buzz around Propeller from the start. Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President and Propeller member Cindy Frey told Wiersema, “We’re really humbled by the number of people that came forward to help.” She said she looks forward to seeing the transformation of the makerspace into an airpark destination using plans drawn up by Landscape, Art & Architecture Office.
Those plans include a freshly painted facade, dramatic lighting, street mural, wayfinding, landscaping and signage — perhaps even a new greenhouse — to create dynamic outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed by the entire community. According to Propeller leadership, “This fun and flexible space will host cookouts, concerts, food trucks, workshops and more.”
“We’re really excited,” Propeller President Bryan Rushton said. “We’re grateful and really ready to celebrate.”
The successful crowdsourcing campaign builds on earlier momentum. Already, Propeller had been granted $580,000 in economic development seed money through Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant program.
You can see renderings for the planned improvements and learn more about Propeller — including how you can get involved — at members.columbuspropeller.com, or check out the Columbus Propeller Facebook page.
If you’ve got the spark of creativity, or if you simply thrive in or enjoy an atmosphere of innovation and invention, give Columbus Propeller a spin if you haven’t already.
