MI2’s First Year: A Year of Transformative Progress - Unlocking the Future of Kentucky's Metals Industry

In its inaugural year as a nonprofit, the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has made waves in Kentucky, propelling the metals industry toward a sustainable and innovative future. Through collaboration with leading research institutions, industry partners, government bodies, and economic development stakeholders, MI2 has achieved remarkable milestones across a spectrum of initiatives. Much of the first year was focused on building the foundation and the structure to bring the ecosystem together and to work toward MI2's mission for all its partners, together, making Kentucky the destination for metals innovation.

However, MI2 also participated in a range of early initiatives in its first year. Let's dive into some highlights of MI2's first fiscal year, ending September 30, 2023:

Annual Conference on "The Factory of the Future"

MI2's inaugural annual conference in September 2023 gathered Kentucky's metals industry and innovation ecosystem to discuss the future of advanced manufacturing, with the theme "The Factory of the Future." Expert speakers explored the changing landscape of the metals industry, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

National Metals Innovation Search

MI2 initiated a nationwide search for innovative ideas to benefit Kentucky's metals industry. This effort brought the nation's best and brightest to focus on Kentucky's innovation ecosystem, offering solutions to industry challenges, with the four finalists presenting at the MI2 Annual Conference.

Co-Leading Metals Industry Guide

In partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, MI2 produced a Kentucky Metals Industry Guide that will soon be published online, as well as physically. This guide highlights Kentucky's metals companies and programs, attracting customers, vendors, talent, and partners to the Commonwealth.

Leading Speed-to-Market Efforts for KY/TN NSF Initiative

MI2 assumed a leadership role in expediting the launch of the GAME Change initiative, which received a development grant as part of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program. The initiative focuses on the advanced manufacturing in Kentucky and Tennessee. By helping align research, industry, government, and economic development partners, MI2 has strategically supported the ecosystem's focus on carbon-centric circular economy technologies, benefiting metals companies in the region.

Supporting Additive Manufacturing NSF Initiative

The Metals Innovation Initiative has been a partner in the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation-led AMFE additive manufacturing initiative across Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio, which is currently a finalist for significant NSF Regional Innovation Engine funding.

Launching Bus to Business Collaboration with Kentucky Chamber

MI2 partnered with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to bring the Bus to Business program to the metals industry, promoting awareness and education, as the first part of a deeper partnership to bring the Chamber's Talent Pipeline Management programs into the metals industry.

Job Quality Academy Collaboration

As part of the Job Quality Academy, MI2 is part of a Kentucky team led by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board that has joined 15 other national teams in this US Department of Labor program. This collaboration allows MI2 to contribute to defining job quality standards for advanced manufacturing, focusing on Kentucky's unique needs while providing early access to invaluable insights from subject matter experts.

Supporting University of Kentucky's Materials Science Research

MI2 has supported the launch of the University of Kentucky's Materials Science Research Priority Area, focusing on metals. This partnership drives research and development efforts to benefit Kentucky's metals companies.

Supporting New Kentucky Economic Development Efforts

MI2 is a core partner in the Louisville/Lexington/Frankfort combined metropolitan statistical areas' GAME TIME initiative, focused on making the region a global leader in metals and materials in the next 10-15 years, strengthening the U.S. advanced manufacturing supply chain. It is also a core partner in the Bowling Green MSA's KY-SwITCH initiative, focused on making the Bowling Green region a global leader in new technologies driving the automotive industry's switch to electric vehicles.

Manufacturing Initiative with AccelerateKY

MI2 partnered with AccelerateKY to begin building a pilot approach to bring manufacturing jobs from facilities located along major logistical corridors to regions off of those main corridors in Eastern and Western Kentucky.

Leading Non-Diesel Vehicle Pilot Project

MI2 began organizing a pilot project to replace diesel-fueled fork trucks with alternative energy sources in Kentucky metals plants. This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable solutions for the industry.

Waste Heat Mapping Initiative

MI2 began spearheading an effort to quantify and manage waste heat generated in metals processes, fostering innovation and collaboration among Kentucky metals companies.

Bringing Grant Opportunities to Kentucky

MI2 is expanding its grant resources and facilitating collaborative efforts to secure federal funding for the benefit of Kentucky's metals industry.

Leading Metals Industry Market Research Initiatives

MI2 commissioned Vitamin Collective to compile a comprehensive report that identifies innovation opportunities within the Kentucky metals industry, Temple University's market research entity to look at the state of the Kentucky metals industry's talent and workforce initiatives, and a University of Louisville project looking at talent and workforce needs. We are currently building on those and other learnings for further research partnership in the year ahead.

Supporting Additional Ecosystem Projects

Among many others, MI2 has participated in Greater Louisville Inc.'s Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics Fellowship, the formation of University of Louisville's Center for Organizational Readiness towards Enterprise 4.0 (CORE4.0) center, the formation of Western Kentucky University's Workforce Participation Innovation Lab, the formation of Eastern Kentucky University's new Manufacturing Engineering degree program, the Western Kentucky University Center for Gifted Studies/Gatton Academy's Bowling Green IdeaFestival, the University of Kentucky Kentucky Innovators Challenge, and a range of other projects in the past year.

In its first year, MI2 has emerged as a driving force in advancing Kentucky's metals industry, promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. With its collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence, MI2 is poised to continue reshaping the future of metals manufacturing in the region and beyond. Stay tuned for year 2!