2017
May- Initial idea for a makerspace in Finney County is presented to FCEDC.
June – Articles of incorporation and the search for a location begins
July 12 – First official Board Meeting!
September – GPMS attends Fall Fest
2018
Febrary – 501(c)3 status is approved
GEAR awareded grant from Women of Purpose, 3D Printers purchased
Bank account set up
First classes offered
Family Bookhouse as storage
First Board Game Jam at GCCC
Partnered with GCCC to use part of Annex for GPMS
Wood Shop dontation from Don Burge
2019
Februrary 27 – First Annual Board Meeting
AV Lab donations from Co-op and GCHS
3rd Street building candidate for location
May – Awarded WKCF Grant for laptops and A/V Lab
Lab Coordinators established
September – GPMS & GCCC Moblie Lab at Fall Fest
Left Famly Bookhouse
November – Second Annual Board Game Jam held at GCCC
2020
January – BGJ Exhibition at Patrick Dugan’s
3rd Street Renovations begin
Storage of equipment in 3rd Street building
April – SWKS COVID-19 Resource Group formed
June – Awarded COVID-19 Relief Grant from WKCF for resin 3D printer and Shaper Origin
8 Sewing machines loaned from GC Rec
October – Seeded WKCF Account and started to participate in Match Day
November – Third BGJ held as distance event
Awarded KS Leadership Center grant for GlowForge
2021
GCCC becomes first corporate sponsor, WSB and USD 457 join soon after
March – Textiles, AV, Fab Labs are done!
Adoped Wild Apricot
April 1 – Grand Opening of 3rd Street location
Attended Art in the Park and Non-profit Fair
Commercial Embroidery Machine donated by GCHS and Patsy Fort
Board Game Jam and Holiday Open House hosted
Over 100 events hosted
2022
Awarded grant for Presentation Cart
Awarded grant from Pioneer Communications
GCCC Community Enrichment Coordinatior established
FCCLN purchases 3rd Street building
Board Game Jam and Holidy Open House hosted
2023
Summer – Attended Sliver Sage Ren Fest
Started Combat Robotics
June – First Spark in the Park
Awareded WKCF grant for Ceramics Lab
Attended Community Culture Day
Hosted Summer Open House, BGJ, Holiday Open House
FCCLN awarded CCC Accelerator Grant
Emergency Reponse Training at GPMS
Maker Academy – Kiefer’s Leadership class project
Sign donation from A1
Partnered with Scouts for a PWD and other events
North Hall floods
GEAR switches to Pivot Robotics
2024
Attended BusterCon
Large Wood Lathe operational
Awarded WKCF for Pivot
Office Space stocked and set up
Started work in Game Room
Red Dog Collaboration
Started Board Nights
September – Printed Large Benchamin
Started Book Club
Attended Ren Fest, Artin the Part, Fall Fest
Hosted Board Game Jam
$10K in endowment funds at WKCF
Hosted USD Field Trip
Awarded grant from WKCF For xTool Laser Cutter
December – Started Discord
Screen Printing is Operational
Started renting shelf at The Hub
Renovated small Pivot area
2025
February – Pivot is awarded AFAC grant to expand robotics
February – Fired kiln!
April – Awarded WoP Grant for 3D printers and WISE program
Summer – Collaboration for WISE with KSBDC
June – Attended Pride Fest
Hosted Summer Family Robotics event
Volunteer Board Updated
Renovated Large Pivot Room
Started Newsletter
Switched membership software
Set up new website
Hosted Spark in the part
Attended Fall Fest and Non-profit faire and match day
Finished Game Room Renovation
Moved Fab Lab to Main Room
Revised Rules and Policies
New Miter saw and router table
Mailbox installed!
Over 500 events hosted
2026
January – Held first Board Retreat for Strategic plan
