Building Something Amazing Together
We're creating 3D printing hubs in 8 Maritime communities - places where neighbors can dream up solutions, kids can learn by making, and communities can take charge of their own future. Think of it as a community workshop that pays for itself while solving real problems.
When COVID hit, many communities didn't wait around - they fired up their 3D printers and cranked out thousands of face shields for frontline workers. That's the kind of can-do spirit we're talking about! 🛡️
Communities
Ready to grow together
3D Printers
Tuned and ready for Launch
Community Programs
Annual funding potential
Open Source
Real Impact, Real Communities
3D printing hubs aren't just cool tech - they're community game-changers that keep money local, teach valuable skills, and help neighbors help each other:
Money Stays Home
When you buy from a community 3D hub, 53¢ of every dollar stays right in your neighborhood (compared to just 13¢ at big box stores). That's real money supporting real neighbors!
- Creates 3x more local jobs than traditional manufacturing
- Builds skills that last a lifetime
Ready When It Matters
The Ulnooweg folks showed us what's possible during the pandemic:
- 25 printers working around the clock
- 800-1,000 face shields every week
- Got Health Canada approval for medical equipment
- Kept communities safe when supply chains broke down
Homes People Can Afford
3D printing is tackling housing shortages too:
- California invested $5M in 3D-printed affordable housing
- Builds homes 40% faster than traditional methods
- Cuts costs by 25-35% without cutting corners
What Your Community Could Fund
| How We Earn | What It Could Fund | Your Community Decides |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-what-you-can printing ($18,864/year) | After-school programs for 120 kids | STEM camps, art classes, sports leagues |
| Custom products ($9,500/year) | Community safety patrol | Neighborhood watch, emergency response |
| Learning workshops ($6,000/year) | Mental health support | Counseling, peer support, wellness programs |
| Grants & partnerships ($25,000+/year) | Hub expansion | More printers, better materials, bigger impact |
How We Work Together
This isn't about fancy corporate structures - it's about neighbors helping neighbors build something lasting:
"This is probably one of the most important things that I'm going to do with my life." - Holly Griffiths, who helped turn 3D printers into lifesaving medical equipment during COVID
Everyone Wins
| Who | What They Do | What They Get |
|---|---|---|
| Your Community | Provide space (8+ hours/day) | 20% of revenue + full control over community programs |
| 3D3D Canada | Equipment, training, ongoing support | 50% of revenue for operations & expansion |
| Local Schools | Integrate into curriculum | Free workshops + endless learning materials |
| Community Creators | Design amazing products | Share in profits when products take off |
Good for the Planet Too
- Plant-based plastics: 60-80% smaller carbon footprint than regular plastics
- Algae-based materials: The future is growing in ponds, not oil wells
- Nothing goes to waste: Failed prints get recycled into new material
Making What Your Community Needs
Open-source designs that solve real problems while bringing in real money:
Things That Make Money
| What We Make | Who It Helps | What It Earns |
|---|---|---|
| Custom fishing gear tags | Local fishers stay organized | $15/set (good profit margins) |
| Farm equipment repairs | Farmers fix things fast & cheap | $5-50/part (saves 80% vs imports) |
| Tourist souvenirs | Visitors take home something special | $10-25/item (70% profit) |
Learning Tools
| What We Make | How Kids Learn | Free to Share |
|---|---|---|
| Math puzzle pieces | Fractions and shapes you can touch | ✅ Yes |
| Science experiment kits | Microscope parts, lab equipment | ✅ Yes |
| Robot building blocks | Drone frames, sensor mounts | ✅ Yes |
Your Community, Your Choices
Here's the beautiful part - your community decides what matters most. Generate income through printing, then invest it however your neighbors think best:
| Income Stream | Small Start | Growing Strong | Community Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay-what-you-can printing | $1,572/month | $3,700/month | Everyone can access the technology |
| Custom products | $480/month | $1,900/month | Supporting local businesses |
| Skill-building workshops | $250/month | $1,200/month | Learning that lasts a lifetime |
| Grants & partnerships | $5,000-$25,000/year | Scaling up what works | |
| For Community Programs | $1,200/month | $4,200/month | You decide: youth programs, elder care, safety, arts - whatever matters to you |
How the Money Flows
50%
Keeping the Hub Running & Growing
30%
Your Community Programs
You choose what matters most
20%
Host Organization Support
The more engaged your community gets, the more funding flows in. Start small, prove what works, then scale up the programs that matter most to your neighbors. Mental health support? Youth programs? Elder care? Community safety? You're in the driver's seat.
Learning By Making
3D printing brings learning to life - kids see their ideas become real things, adults pick up skills that open doors:
Digital Mi'kmaq has been running maker labs in schools since 2018, giving students hands-on access to the future of manufacturing. Now they're not just learning about technology - they're using it to help their communities.
Programs That Grow With You
| Program | Who Joins | What You Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Young Innovators Club | Ages 12-18 | Design thinking, problem-solving, maybe start a business |
| Wise Makers Circle | 55+ community members | Product design, sharing stories through making |
| Teacher Champions | K-12 educators | Bringing making into every subject |
| Skills That Pay | Anyone ready for a change | Operating, maintaining, and fixing 3D printers |
Friends Who've Got Our Back
How This All Unfolds
June 2025
Nominations open!
We're looking for 8 communities ready to dive in - based on need, enthusiasm, and that special community spirit
July 1, 2025
Canada Day celebration
Big reveal! The chosen communities get announced during our national party
August 2025
Setting up shop
Getting spaces ready, installing equipment, and training the first community champions
September 2025
Doors open wide
Community celebrations, school programs launch, and the real fun begins
January 2026
Sharing success stories
Looking at what we've accomplished together and planning the next chapter
Proof It Works
We're not the first to try this - we're learning from communities that have already shown it works:
| Who Did It | Where | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Ulnooweg Foundation | Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw communities | Produced 10,000+ face shields during COVID, created sustainable local manufacturing |
| Fab City Movement | 40+ cities worldwide | Local production meets 50% of consumption needs by 2054 |
| Rural Fab Labs | Kenya, Ghana, Peru | $2-5 million annual economic impact per community |
| Community Maker Spaces | Detroit, Michigan | 15% increase in local employment, 25% boost in small business starts |
| 3D Printing Co-ops | Rural Colorado | Replaced $800,000 in imported farm parts with local production |
The pattern is clear: When communities control their own making tools, they create jobs, solve problems, and keep money local. We're not reinventing the wheel - we're putting it in your hands.
Ready to Nominate Your Community?
We're looking for 8 Maritime communities that are ready to build something amazing together. Here's what we need to know:
Selection Criteria
Community Need
We're prioritizing communities with limited access to manufacturing, education, or economic opportunities
Local Support
Strong partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local government
Suitable Space
Access to 200+ sq ft of space for 8+ hours daily with basic utilities
Community Champions
Enthusiastic locals ready to learn, teach, and help run the hub