MAKERS LOCAL 256
Makers Local 256 is a 501(c)(3) community makerspace in Huntsville, Alabama, founded in 2008, providing shared access to fabrication tools (laser cutters, CNC, 3D printers, woodworking), hosting classes, Repair Cafés, and community events for local hobbyist makers, supported by membership dues and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersHuntsville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MAKERS LOCAL 256 does
Makers Local 256 is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit community hackerspace founded in 2008 and located at 414 Stevens Ave in Huntsville, Alabama. The organization operates a shared physical workshop stocked with fabrication equipment including a 40W laser cutter with rotary attachment, CNC plasma and desktop CNC machines, a vinyl cutter (USCutter MH-871), 3D printers, woodworking tools (DeWalt 12-inch sliding compound miter saw, wood planers, a 200+ lb workbench), an iron worker, a hydraulic QuickJack rated to 7,000 lbs, an electronics workbench with soldering stations, and a dust collection system. Beyond equipment access, the space hosts recurring community events including Tuesday public nights (6pm–10pm), Repair Cafés, the annual Nerd Rummage Sale, pig roasts, LAN parties, retro gaming nights, and structured classes such as relief carving and heat-transfer vinyl.
The organization's revenue model is member-supported and donation-driven rather than commercial. Monthly membership dues tier from $20 to $100, with public access to tools free on Tuesday nights or whenever a member is present. Additional revenue comes from PayPal and Bitcoin donations (it accepts both), tool-sale fundraisers, and event-based income such as Nerd Rummage Sale vendor fees. Marketing and member acquisition are community-led, relying on the WordPress blog, Facebook event pages, IRC and Slack channels, and a public radio PSA on WLRH (NPR affiliate 89.3 FM Huntsville).
Notable technical projects include a self-powered 802.11 WiFi mesh networking system ("Emergent Mesh") designed for disaster communications infrastructure, with auto-discovery of nodes, captive portal functionality, and internal wiki access. The organization is affiliated with regional hackerspaces (Freeside Atlanta, Midsouth Makers, Red Mountain Makers), the global Hackerspaces.org directory, and the Hacker Consortium. It won first place in the 2010 Hackerspaces in Space Competition with a high-altitude balloon project scoring 98 points. Governance is via an elected board of directors with 6-month terms, and the organization operates as an independent community entity with no parent company or outside investor.
MAKERS LOCAL 256 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MAKERS LOCAL 256
- Legal name
- Makers Local 256
- Website
- https://256.makerslocal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Makers Local 256 is a 501(c)(3) community makerspace in Huntsville, Alabama, founded in 2008, providing shared access to fabrication tools (laser cutters, CNC, 3D printers, woodworking), hosting classes, Repair Cafés, and community events for local hobbyist makers, supported by membership dues and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MAKERS LOCAL 256 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Makerspace Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)
Keywords
Where MAKERS LOCAL 256 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Huntsville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
MAKERS LOCAL 256 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Monthly membership fees ranging from $20-$100 per month, providing access to the workshop space and tools
- Donations: 501(c)3 charitable non-profit accepting PayPal and Bitcoin donations to support operations and tool acquisitions
- Event Fees: Revenue from annual events such as Nerd Rummage Sale vendor fees, pig roast plate sales, and LAN party attendance
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly membership with tiered pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
MAKERS LOCAL 256 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Makers Local 256 operates a community hackerspace/makerspace in Huntsville, Alabama, providing members and the public with shared access to fabrication tools and equipment. Offerings include laser cutting, CNC plasma and desktop CNC machining, 3D printing, woodworking equipment, electronics workbenches, vinyl cutting, and metalworking tools. The organization hosts classes, workshops, Repair Cafés, and community events, and operates a tool lending program.
Product overview
Makers Local 256 is a community makerspace operating as a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit in Huntsville, AL. The organization provides shared access to fabrication tools and equipment including laser cutting services, CNC plasma and desktop CNC machines, woodworking equipment (wood planers, miter saws, work benches), electronics workbenches, vinyl cutting, 3D printing, and an iron worker. The space operates a tool checkout system, hosts regular community workshops and classes, and organizes Repair Café events. They maintain a WiFi mesh network infrastructure and offer their space for public nights on Tuesdays and member events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Workshop Membership Access
- Laser Cutting Services
Companies that use MAKERS LOCAL 256
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MAKERS LOCAL 256 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
MAKERS LOCAL 256 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Freeside AtlantaminorFellow hackerspace in Atlanta, GA. Listed as an affiliated hackerspace community partner.
- Hacker ConsortiumminorHackerspace consortium organization. Listed as affiliated hackerspace community partner.
- Hackerspaces.orgminorGlobal hackerspace directory and community. Listed as affiliated hackerspace community partner.
- Midsouth MakersminorFellow makerspace in the midsouth region. Listed as affiliated hackerspace community partner.
- Red Mountain MakersminorFellow makerspace in Birmingham, AL. Listed as affiliated hackerspace community partner.
- WLRHminorLocal NPR radio station (89.3 FM) in Huntsville that broadcasts a PSA for Makers Local 256
- IEEE GOLD HuntsvilleminorGraduates of the Last Decade chapter of IEEE participated in open house events at Makers Local 256
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MAKERS LOCAL 256 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MAKERS LOCAL 256 social profiles
Digital presenceMAKERS LOCAL 256 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MAKERS LOCAL 256 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MAKERS LOCAL 256 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MAKERS LOCAL 256 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MAKERS LOCAL 256
What does MAKERS LOCAL 256 do?
Makers Local 256 operates a community hackerspace/makerspace in Huntsville, Alabama, providing members and the public with shared access to fabrication tools and equipment. Offerings include laser cutting, CNC plasma and desktop CNC machining, 3D printing, woodworking equipment, electronics workbenches, vinyl cutting, and metalworking tools. The organization hosts classes, workshops, Repair Cafés, and community events, and operates a tool lending program.
Is MAKERS LOCAL 256 a public or private company?
MAKERS LOCAL 256 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MAKERS LOCAL 256 founded?
MAKERS LOCAL 256 was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MAKERS LOCAL 256 based?
MAKERS LOCAL 256 is headquartered in Huntsville, United States, in the North America region.
How does MAKERS LOCAL 256 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and event Fees.
Does MAKERS LOCAL 256 have an API?
No public API is recorded for MAKERS LOCAL 256.
What industry is MAKERS LOCAL 256 in?
MAKERS LOCAL 256's product category is Community Makerspace Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMADAC, Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios), with a secondary code of EDAMAAAD, Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media).