The tools to put in a cutting edge computer and production facility in more Wisconsin schools has been funded in the recently-concluded state budget.
The Joint Finance Committee included $500,000 to let qualifying school districts buy equipment for FAB LABS. Don Sidlowski is a citizen activist hoping to bring the Labs to many Northwoods schools. He says schools boards were interested in the labs, but the $50,000 capital equipment money was daunting.
Sidlowski says he worked with Representative Mary Czaja of Irma to get the money put into the state budget. It was set up as a match program...
"...the grant works as 75 percent from the government the first time and 25 from the entity that is applying, 50-50 in year two and 25 percent from the government and 75 percent from the entity that applies in year three. It's not guaranteed all three years. They have to reapply...."
Three Lakes already has a Fab Lab and another one is set to go in Florence schools this fall and other districts are considering it. Sidlowski says the Northwoods is leading the initiative to develop new economic programs and this is a prime example of it.
