College of Alameda FabLab Gets $250K in Federal Money
The funding buys new 3D printers, laser cutters and job training, shared with Laney College across the estuary.
By The Alameda Pulse
College of Alameda just landed $250,000 in federal money to restock its fabrication lab, the hands-on space where students learn to run 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC machines instead of just reading about them in a textbook.
What the Money Actually Pays For
The funding covers new equipment, including 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters and robotics tools, plus structured training programs built around it. The goal is to get students ready for jobs in manufacturing, construction, biomedical work and healthcare, fields where knowing how to actually run this kind of equipment matters more than a textbook grade.
"This funding represents a major boost for student access and technological literacy at the College of Alameda," said College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon.
How a Local College Gets Federal Money
Rep. Lateefah Simon secured the $250,000 through Community Project Funding, the process where members of Congress request money for specific local projects each year through the House Appropriations Committee. The funding was announced July 8 and is split between College of Alameda and Laney College in Oakland, since both are part of the Peralta Community College District. It's one piece of roughly $11.2 million Simon secured this year for 15 projects across the East Bay.
"Education is one of the most important tools we can give our young people to set them on a path to success," Simon said.
Why It Matters for Alameda Students
A FabLab is basically a workshop full of equipment most people never get to touch until a job requires it. Having current tools on campus, rather than outdated ones, is what lets a community college actually prepare someone for a manufacturing or biomedical job instead of just teaching the theory behind one. For Alameda residents weighing whether the local college is worth a look before a four-year school, this kind of equipment upgrade is a real, if unglamorous, reason to say yes.
It's also a small reminder of how a lot of local infrastructure gets funded. Congress doesn't usually hand community colleges money for machines, it takes a member actively asking for it in the annual budget process, then the college has to actually put it to use once it lands.
- Amount: $250,000, shared with Laney College
- Buys: 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, robotics tools, plus training programs
- Announced: July 8, 2026
