Who We Are

Decatur Makers envisions a world where anyone can make anything.

We work to foster an empowered community of builders, creatives, and leaders.

Our Story

It all started with an idea: creating a place for local Decatur student robotics teams to practice. A few parents, prompted by Decatur Makers founders Garrett Goebel and Lew Lefton, took it a step further. Their thought was that a place where a diverse group of kids and adults could use tools and work together to learn skills and build things would be a great resource for our community.

Since our community first banded together in 2012, Decatur Makers has worked to create an inclusive environment where makers of all backgrounds can learn, build, and share. Over the past decade, Decatur Makers has grown to nearly 500 members and engaged thousands in classes, workshops, and outreach programs, collaborating with numerous businesses and organizations across the state.