Old Hospital Gets New Technology

Sonora, CA — The former Tuolumne General Hospital (TGH) building will be the new home of a “Knowledge Lab”.

The third floor of the TGH building is going to be turned into a well-equipped lab with high tech equipment, computers, and 3-D printers. As we reported earlier, the plans have been in the works to start a facility to tap the talents of local techies, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Back in November of 2012, the former Black Oak Elementary School was being looked at to house the lab.

Tuolumne County’s Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) Executive Director Larry Cope explains, “It will be a membership based organization. People will pay a fee to have access to the lab. There will also be fees to go to classes there.” The fees will allow the center to pay for its costs.

The hospital lease is only for two years, after that, Cope says, “We will look for new space in the community in the industrial park area or possibly even available buildings that may come up in the heart of Sonora.”

Those using the facility will be able to do everything from computer programing to apparel manufacturing. Cope says they hope to have the lab up and running in the next 60 to 90 days.