The Geek Group
The Geek Group is a not-for-profit educational organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan with over 6,000 members around the world.[1]
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[edit] History
The Geek Group started up in 1994 at the Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan as a group of friends experimenting with university surplus equipment such as old computer parts. They grew over a few years into a small company, which they named The Geek Group and became a federally certified 501(c)(3) non-profit company. They have outgrown four buildings in the past 17 years, their last two being in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Grand Rapids, respectively.
[edit] Sponsors
The Geek Group is sponsored by many companies, the majority of them small businesses local to the Group, but also some larger companies such as Haas Automation and Iscar. The Group supplements this donation income by charging for some R&D services.[2]
[edit] Grand Rapids move
Facing a property tax challenge in Kalamazoo,[3] the Group moved to Grand Rapids in December 2010[1] and are currently renovating their new premises, which aim to contain a:
- High-Voltage lab
- Chemistry lab
- Robotics lab
- Computer science lab
- Hacking café with dedicated Linux servers
- Vehicular science bays
- CNC/Machine shop
- Woodworking shop
- Visual and Audio production studios
- Photography studio
- Fashion studio
- and a Roller-derby rink.
[edit] Long term aim
The Geek Group aim to open a National Science Centre in the Grand Rapids area designed to handle up to half a million visitors per year, to be called The Avalon Research Institute. The Geek Group aim for the Centre to be a "combination of NASA, MIT and Mythbusters".[citation needed]
[edit] YouTube popularity
The Geek Group regularly upload videos of their numerous projects, and of how-to videos. Not only do the videos gain a lot of views, but they are also used in the classroom as a teaching aid.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Radigan, Mary (17 January 2011). "Geek Group is renovating former West YMCA as new headquarters". mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/01/geek_group_is_renovating_forme.html.
- ^ Dwyer, Dustin (1 February 2010). "Geek's Dream Lab Could Create Jobs in Michigan". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123107726.
- ^ "Geek Group faces tax troubles". WWMT. 10 March 2010. http://www.wwmt.com/articles/margin-1373647-bottom-troubles.html.
[edit] External links
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