Recently-launched manufacturing, prototyping and maker hub mHub just got a big financial boost of support from the federal government.
mHub will receive $500,000 from the Department of Commerce as part of $15 million in grants the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is dispersing across 35 organizations in 19 states to promote cluster-focused commercialization and proof-of-concept programs, as well as early stage seed funds.
The maker and manufacturing hub, which was created in partnership between former hardware hub Catalyze and the city of Chicago, was announced in August. This award comes on top of $5 million in letters of intent that mHub had already raised as of this summer.
Haven Allen, executive director of mHub, said the grant will allow for more flexibility, as well as focus more on "programming, education as well as being able to incorporate more equipment and resources for our members in a much faster fashion," he said.
He estimates that $130,000 will go toward purchasing equipment, potentially CNC machining, plastic injection molding and 3D printers, depending on member needs. The rest of the funds will go toward education, programming and community engagement.
Currently mHub has about 115 members, all from Catalyze. They'll be letting in an additional 15 members on December 1, then 30 more members January 1, and they have a grand opening set for February. Currently they're reconstructing the mHub facility, which was previously a Motorola testing facility.
