MI2 Strategy Group Updates

MI2’s four strategy groups are a flurry of activity as we head into May. Here are a few updates from our April 2023 activity.

Sustainability Strategy Group

The Sustainability Strategy Group is actively working on two pilot projects at the moment, one focused on piloting a non-diesel fork truck being led by Logan Aluminum and the other focused on waste heat. See Strategy Group Head Andy Ishmael’s piece in this month’s newsletter for further information on this strategy group’s work and focus.

In the month of April, we were also excited to add Rob Rosenbaum, Environmental Supervisor at Nucor’s Ghent facility, to the strategy group.

Talent and Workforce Strategy Group

The Talent and Workforce Strategy Group has been actively reviewing and supporting the projects it currently has “in the field,” including a Talent Pipeline analysis underway with Temple University’s Fox Management Consulting, a metals industry talent and workforce project currently underway as a capstone course at the University of Louisville College of Business, and the Bus to Business pilot program being pursued as a partnership between MI2 and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The team has also been brainstorming the next set of potential projects and initiatives to begin deploying in the months ahead.

In the month of April, we were also excited to add Andrew Quinn, Director of Human Resources at Novelis, to the strategy group.

Branding Strategy Group

The Branding Strategy Group are discussing how to expand the team working on audience personas for the metals innovation ecosystem, working with branding strategy group team members and communications professionals across MI2 member companies. The strategy group is also currently helping gather information and programs throughout MI2 member companies and strategic partners, an effort led by Nucor and the University of Kentucky, in partnership with the MI2 core team in advance of the MI2 partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Kentucky Metals Industry Guide. The strategy group is also helping provide guidance on plans for the MI2 Factory of the Future conference in September.

Grants and Funding Strategy Group

MI2 team member Ruthie Caldwell has been leading the effort to further refine the overarching strategy for MI2 in proactively seeking grants and funding for the Kentucky metals innovation ecosystem. Currently, in addition to supporting grant initiatives being pursued by ecosystem partners, the strategy group is looking at significant federal funding opportunities coming up in the calendar and thinking about ways that MI2 can help lead efforts to secure funding from a variety of federal sources for innovation initiatives that match MI2’s strategic focus areas.