New 'makerspace' hub in downtown Youngstown aims to inspire innovation in youth

Students, entrepreneurs and everyday people have a new space in the Valley designed to spark creativity and innovation.

The ribbon cutting of DiscoveryZone.Live on West Federal Street in Downtown Youngstown took place on Tuesday, and community members got a look inside the "makerspace" that aims to inspire and boost the area.

Non-profit 'Advanced Methods in Innovation' and 'MiMe Global' celebrated the grand opening of their new hub, equipped with cutting-edge technology to turn ideas into reality.

"The makerspace is the distance between the idea in that person's head and that machine that can make the product," AMI Chairman Jack Scott said, "What we'll help them do is close that gap." 

Scott said anyone can get hands-on by using laser cutters, 3D and vinyl printers and a full body scanner, among other tech to design and create apparel, personalized items and more.  

People can create prototypes for a design idea they have or use the opportunity to learn new skills.

Those running the hub will be there to help anyone create what they'd like. 

"We're assisting them all the way," Renee Malutic of MiMe Global said, "We're holding their hand to make them feel comfortable with the idea of transferring a design that they have in a concept into an actual product."

DiscoveryZone.Live will also provide student programs for all ages, Scott said. 

Youngstown State University art student, Lauren Barrett, is already getting hands-on and was hired to create artwork to decorate the new space.

"It totally opened the door of my own work as I move into my senior year next year," Barrett, the interdisciplinary art studio major, said, "We started by developing some prototypes for this space using our laser cutter over here. I'm going to have designs that I've basically made that connect not only the artwork of having something beautiful up on the wall, but a lot of the themes that are here, like technology."

The hub will be hosting a "sip and make" event on Saturday, May 3rd, just in time for Mother's Day.

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