Marshfield, Wis.-based Forward Bank is committing $50,000 in support of the C2 Makerspace.
The Forward team recently presented $25,000 to Ken and Kylan Hastreiter from the nonprofit Shiloh Bound and will support the initiative with $5,000 per year over the next five years. The Makerspace will be on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Marshfield campus and will be equipped with technology, tools, resources and equipment.
The Hastreiter family provided the original vision for the C2 Makerspace, according to the bank, to create a space that offers hands-on learning for students, entrepreneurs and the community through exploration and innovation. The Makerspace is intended to be a collaboration between local schools and businesses and highlight the career paths available in different trades.
“We’re excited to see C2 Makerspace offer high tech extracurricular opportunities and other activities for 5th-12th graders for students in the surrounding Marshfield area,” Kylan said.
“I’m genuinely excited to see the focus on creating learning spaces that focus on students looking for careers in fabrication and other trades,” added Forward Bank CEO Bill Sennholz. “Our local businesses need the C2 Makerspace to help bring those interested in these fields up to speed on the technology of today. The schools collaborating on this initiative will have access to what students will use in real world work, putting their students ahead of the game in looking for jobs in their chosen fields.”