City of Greeley announced Friday a groundbreaking partnership with Alquist 3D, a 3D printing and construction company that will put down roots in Greeley, CO this fall. Their relocation from Iowa City will establish Greeley as a hub for sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
“This collaboration is more than just building houses. It's about building futures,” said Greeley Mayor John Gates. “We look forward to what’s possible with Alquist’s innovative technology and our city’s entrepreneurial spirit.”
The announcement took place at Aims Community College with the following state and local representatives and distinguished speakers:
- Mayor John Gates
- Governor Jared Polis
- U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
- Zack Mannheimer, Founder and Chairman, Alquist 3D
- Tom Parko, Planning Director, Weld County
- Raymond C. Lee III, City Manager, City of Greeley
- Leah Bornstein, Ph.D., CEO/President, Aims Community College
- Mya Rodriguez-Salas, Student, Aims Community College
- Cheri Witt-Brown, CEO, Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity
Greeley’s Projected Growth Attracts World-Class Technology
Alquist considered many location options when searching for a new headquarters site. As the fastest-growing city in Colorado, Greeley emerged as an ideal fit for the company’s expansion plans.
“There is nowhere else on the planet where so much is happening all in one place to move structural 3D printing forward,” said Alquist founder and CEO Zachary Mannheimer.
“The evolution happening in our community makes it an exciting time to do business with emerging technology,” said City Manager Raymond Lee. “We share a vision with Alquist on how the Greeley community can embrace sustainable and affordable housing. Thanks to the support of community partners and state leadership, we can now begin meaningful work on one of Colorado’s top priorities.”
Alquist Expands Economic Opportunity in Greele
Alquist’s residency in Northern Colorado will resonate with many industries, building the region’s technology sector. Itoffers a lower-cost solution to building single-family, multifamily, mixed-use, and senior-living homes. Alquist’s 3D printing technology also opens up opportunities for sustainable infrastructure on streets and roadways.
The company will also create high-paying green jobs while expanding educational opportunities. One example of this is Alquist’s innovative workforce development partnership with Aims Community College.
Alquist is partnering with Aims Community College to incorporate its technology into the curriculum. The Aim
Construction Management program will develop an academic pathway for 3D concrete printing technology that teaches students how to operate a 3D printer for residential construction applications. Alquist also plans to partner with Aims' existing Computer Aided Drafting and Industrial Technology programs, in which students learn how to design the buildings and program the robots used for 3D concrete printing. Through these programs, students will develop the skills that will enable them to apply for positions at Alquist.
Greeley to Lead the Way as Colorado’s Affordable Housing Hub
Alquist’s technology will be vital in addressing Colorado’s housing shortage. 3D home printing is a solution to quickly building and adding new housing stock in the state along the entire pricing spectrum.
Alquist also has a home-printing contract with Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity. The company is working with the nonprofit organization to produce many of the nearly 500 housing units planned for the Hope Springs project. Construction will occur near 29th Avenue and 32nd Street along the border of Greeley and Evans producing 22 single-family homes,154 duplexes, and about 315 multifamily units. The community will have a homeowner's association, professionally maintained common spaces, an on-site childcare center, trails, playgrounds, a frisbee park, and a mini soccer field.
Offering Sustainable Solutions to Home Construction
According to multiple data sources, the built environment contributes approximately 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change. About 13% of that comes from building and infrastructure materials and construction. With Colorado experiencing more frequent and intense climate change impacts, including storms, extreme heat, water shortages, and wildfires, 3D printing technology moves the state toward:
- Carbon-negative building materials
- Reductions in waste and water usage.
- Storm- and fire-resistant building designs and materials.
Construction Solutions Beyond Housing
Alquist’s first project will be 3D printing infrastructure for the City of Greeley. Curb systems with integrated drainage will be 3D printed at Aims Community College. 3D printing makes infrastructure modular, so worn sections are easily replaced with 3D-printed parts. That work will start as early as fall 2023.
To learn more about Alquist’s cutting-edge technology, visit Alquist3D.com.
Read more about the City of Greeley news and announcements at greeleygov.com.
Access the event Dropbox for additional photo and video assets, including footage of the 3D printing robot. Photo and video assets will be added by end of day, Friday, Oct. 6.