A community Makerspace coming to Mayfield, Kentucky — built from tornado recovery to give makers, entrepreneurs, and job seekers hands-on access to the tools and training that grow a stronger local economy.
MKIA Board Members at the Groundbreaking for SkillRise 270.
What began as a community conversation has officially transformed into SkillRise 270, a premier makerspace and innovation hub dedicated to empowering the creators, entrepreneurs, and tradespeople of Western Kentucky. In spring of 2022, Graves County Economic Development gathered a group of local citizens to discuss the idea and this group visited the makerspace in Madisonville. A survey was also distributed electronically to gauge the interest from the general public.
The road to SkillRise 270 began with a vision for a "collaborative DIY lab." Following feasibility studies with Murray State University and local development districts, the project gained momentum through a $100,000 grant from the American Red Cross. By October 2024, significant milestones were reached with these grants and commitments to the project:
In January 2025, MKIA Director, Jason Lemle, and prospective facility director, Nicole Kaletch, discussed and approached community members to join an advisory board for the purpose of overseeing the formation and operation of the makerspace (hereinafter known as SkillRise 270). Community members began meeting once a month to discuss the facility. Nicole Kaletch officially started employment with SkillRise 270 on March 3, 2025. Mayfield City Council, by means of Ordinance 3-25, officially created the SkillRise 270 Advisory Board on June 9, 2025. On July 14, 2025, Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan appointed ten members to the Advisory Board by means of Executive Order 3-25.
SkillRise 270 will be an ~7200 sq ft. facility that will operate as a collaborative workspace where people with shared interests—often in technology, science, art, or design—gather to create, invent, and learn. Think of it as a community-driven facility that provides access to specialized equipment that might be too expensive or bulky for an individual to own, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, and electronics stations, alongside traditional tools for woodworking or sewing. Beyond the hardware, however, the true value of a makerspace lies in its culture of knowledge-sharing; it is a social hub where hobbyists and entrepreneurs alike can experiment, troubleshoot, and turn abstract ideas into physical prototypes through hands-on collaboration.
The mission of SkillRise 270 is to provide hands-on access to equipment, opportunity, resources, education, and training. And to facilitate opportunities to network, connect and develop across the community. Our vision is to be a place that allows and encourages networking, education, creation, and innovation through skill development.
The facility will house individual spaces for 3D printing, embroidery and textiles, computer and electronics, woodworking, and metal fabrication. Each space will have basic and specialized tools for members to utilize. The facility will also include a multi-use room that can be utilized for meetings, trainings, co-working spaces, or any other applicable need. The lobby will include a coffee bar and relaxed, inviting setting for members and non-members to collaborate and share ideas. We truly envision an area where the more seasoned citizens of our community will mentor our younger population.
You don’t have to wait for the grand opening to get involved! We are currently hosting instructional classes for just $10, including 3D printing design, digital marketing, and digital design. In Spring 2026, we launched our "Make & Take" events, where participants can construct their own woodworking pieces and dabble in the art of metal fabrication.
In addition to classes already being held, more advanced hands-on classes will begin once the facility is completed. Classes will be open to the community with members being able to attend at a discounted rate. Individuals and groups will be able to learn skills from sewing to advanced machining and tooling.
Once the facility is fully operational, we will offer a membership model—similar to a fitness center—providing affordable access to professional machinery that might otherwise be too expensive for a home workshop.
As an initiative of Mayfield Kentucky Industrial Authority (MKIA), the facility will operate under their 501(c)3 status and be financed via grants, sponsors, and donations. The following businesses have already committed to room sponsorship:
Once the facility is open, SkillRise 270 will have a Maker’s Club in which businesses and organizations can donate at various levels in exchange for a certain number of memberships, placement on job boards and at career fairs, and much more.
We have discussed skill tailored programs with several local organizations, including but not limited to, Mayfield/Graves Co Advanced Technology Center, Graves County Jail and Restricted Custody Center, and Turning Point Recovery. These partnerships will allow SkillRise 270 to connect potential employees with future employers and help keep citizens in our geographical area.
Through partnerships with the local businesses and organizations, SkillRise 270 is committed to workforce development. We are working with multiple local entities to assist with skill training and job placement, helping keep our talented citizens right here in West Kentucky.
Contact SkillRise 270 to learn more about Room Sponsorships and the Maker’s Club. Together, we are building a more innovative Purchase Region.