GRAND RAPIDS – The Geek Group announced Tuesday that they have been awarded a $220,000 grant by the Michigan Energy Office in order to complete energy efficiency upgrades to the organization?s 43,000 square foot Leonard Street Labs.
The $473,000 project will include replacement of entryways and windows along Leonard Street, replacement of the roof, and a new energy efficient HVAC system. All together the improvements will improve the environmental impact of the facility, double the number of individuals to be assisted by the organization, and improve the aesthetics of the Leonard Street Corridor.
?We are pleased to partner with The Geek Group to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and contribute to neighborhood vitality through facility investments that create jobs.? said Robert Jackson, Director, Michigan Energy Office.
The Geek Group is a makerspace dedicated to the development and delivery of member-based projects across the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Manufacturing) areas. It is a center of creativity and collaboration for students, entrepreneurs, inventors, artists, scientists, hobbyists, and tinkerers. At the Geek Group?s Leonard Street Lab facility, members have access to supplies, materials, technology, tools, machinery, equipment, and instructional support to help them accomplish their goals.
The Geek Group is an international STEAM center as well with 26,255 online members around the globe. Distant members have access to original instructional YouTube videos as well as live demonstrations and educational programming through the Geek Group?s live internet broadcast channel.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Geek Group can visit the website at TheGeekGroup.org or attend one of their free public tours which occur every Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m.
