OREGON CITY – Clackamas Community College (CCC) is launching a public makerspace in its Industrial Technology Center (ITC) on the Oregon City campus. Makerspaces are places where entrepreneurs with similar interests, such as building, technology and manufacturing, can work on projects using shared equipment provided by the makerspace.
The CCC makerspace will be open to those who want training in innovation and industrial technology. Users of the space will have access to digital tools and manufacturing equipment that allows individuals to prototype their business concepts. The design of the makerspace will be the first of its kind in Clackamas County, possessing the capacity to expand into specialized sections of the college’s advanced manufacturing center, which provides skill-based training in industrial technology.
According to CCC President Tim Cook, the college is positioned in the community to build programs that encourage entrepreneurism.
“CCC is dedicated to offering quality educational programs on our campuses that support innovative thinkers,” Cook said. “The makerspace opens doors for a diverse group of students, entrepreneurs and employers who want to expand their skills in manufacturing while bringing their inspiring ideas to life to benefit the community.”
The new makerspace is named after the late Les de Asis, entrepreneur and founder of Benchmade, and will honor the longstanding partnership between Benchmade and the college. To ensure the makerspace is accessible and affordable to all people in the community, Benchmade and the de Asis family have donated equipment and funds to the Clackamas Community College Foundation.
“The Benchmade family is honored to give back to our community by supporting this new makerspace” Jon deAsis, president and CEO of Benchmade, said. “It embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of my father, Les de Asis, who founded Benchmade, and I hope that this makerspace will give entrepreneurial-minded people an opportunity to experience careers in manufacturing and personal success through bold inventions.”
With an official opening scheduled for spring of 2021, CCC's makerspace is already developing and offering online trainings to prepare future participants to use its digital manufacturing equipment.
To learn more on how to support CCC’s makerspace, contact the CCC Foundation at foundation@clackamas.edu.
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Editor’s note: Jon deAsis and Les de Asis spell their last name differently.