Researcher: SL Page 1 4/7/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1179
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY
MAKERSPACE INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Economic and Community
Development (DECD) commissioner to establish and administer, by
January 1, 2026, a pilot program to give financial assistance (e.g., grants,
loans, or financing) to entities establishing or expanding makerspaces in
Connecticut. Under the bill, a “makerspace” is a community space (1)
providing entrepreneurs access to tools, technology, or educational
materials; (2) where prototyping, creation, production, and assembly of
tangible items happens; and (3) supporting the development of
educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, and
early-stage business ventures.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
MAKERSPACES PILOT PROGRAM
Development and Funding
Under the bill, the DECD commissioner must explore funding
options for the program, including public-private partnerships, grants,
and federal or state funds. The bill caps funding at (1) $250,000 for any
applicant per fiscal year and (2) $5 million for the pilot program in total.
The bill requires the Manufacturing Innovation Advisory Board to
make available $1 million from the Connecticut Manufacturing
Innovation Fund (MIF; see BACKGROUND) for DECD to use to give
makerspaces financial assistance under the pilot program.
Applications
The bill requires the DECD commissioner to establish the pilot
program’s eligibility criteria and application process, and applications 2025SB-01179-R000533-BA.DOCX
Researcher: SL Page 2 4/7/25
for program participation must be submitted in a form the
commissioner prescribes. Under the bill, applications must include (1) a
description of the makerspace the applicant wants to establish or
expand, (2) the requested amount of financial assistance, and (3) any
other information the commissioner deems necessary.
Reporting Requirements
Under the bill, the DECD commissioner must require pilot program
participants, within two years after receiving funding, to report to
DECD on the progress of establishing or expanding their makerspace
and any other information the commissioner deems necessary .
Beginning by January 1, 2027, the commissioner must annually report
an evaluation of the pilot program’s operation and effectiveness to the
Commerce Committee.
BACKGROUND
Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund (MIF)
MIF provides manufacturers and researchers in aerospace, medical
devices, and other targeted industries’ supply chains with financing to,
among other things, expand facilities, develop products, and match
research grants. It is administered by DECD and overseen by an 11-
member advisory board. The most recent biennial budget passed in 2023
authorized $35 million in general obligation bonds for the fund.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Commerce Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 20 Nay 0 (03/20/2025)