Big thanks to Amanda Lamppa and Rob Sjostrand for touring me and Mary Magnuson through The Forge in Grand Rapids MN. The Forge is still being forged but it looks like a fantastic place for folks who are serious about starting a manufacturing business or fleshing out a manufacturing idea. With funding from the Blandin Foundation, they are creating a space where emerging manufacturers can get to the next step.

They offer a number of services:

• Incubator space: there are incubator spaces that are quite large for folks who are actually making items. There are spaces for folks who are still working on an idea and need what I called an adult cubby for their projects. Both will have access to manufacturing machines (after training) as well as education and other support to turn an idea into a business. This isn’t a maker space, it’s for folks who are more focused on going to market. (There is an awesome maker space, Iron Range Makerspace just down the road already!)
• Classes and Education: how to work the machines, how to set up understand a profit loss statement, build a website, pick out insurance and more, The Forge will offer a series of training for members and others in collaboration with the schools, colleges and others who are subject specialists.
• Community Artist Space: similar to the incubator space but geared toward community artists.
• Training Center and Room Rentals: rooms and possible access to tools and teaching applications (think industrial white boards) for local manufacturers, rooms for members and others who want to host a pitch or just get a room to collaboration.

The idea is to graduate members to the next level of starting their business. And the team is flexible with the intent that they will iterate based on the needs of their members. The level of care and detail in the planning comes out in the tour. They are not open for applications yet – but hopefully this fall. I will definitely share more as I can.