News from the Metals Innovation Ecosystem

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The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) is excited to be working with a great set of companies and strategic partners in helping support the connections across our innovation ecosystem.

This month, learn about:

• UK Innovate’s upcoming Kentucky Innovator Challenge at the University of Kentucky on Tuesday, April 11th, which will feature the Metals Innovation Initiative
• Canopy’s 3rd Annual Business for Good Summit in Louisville, where multiple Metals Innovation Initiative members will be recognized
• The launch of a new Supply Kentucky initiative called CONNEX Kentucky, a partnership between the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, which will provide a searchable supply chain database for Kentucky manufacturers
• The recent UofL Industry Day held at University of Louisville’s Automation and Robotics Research Institute
• The new online Introduction to Thermology Course launched by Western Kentucky University and the Kentucky Thermal Institute
• The Launch of Kentucky’s new Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership in April through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

UK Innovate's Kentucky Innovator Challenge

Coming up on Tuesday, April 11th, UK Innovate–the innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research–will host its Kentucky Innovator Challenge at the Gatton Student Center on UK’s campus in Lexington.

The in-person event will bring together leaders from business, service organizations and higher education for a one-day summit to identify the most pressing challenges facing Kentucky and discuss collaborative solutions through research and innovation–forging new relationships while laying the groundwork for those innovative solutions.

We are excited that MI2 Board Chair Matt Bedingfield (President of Recycling, Wieland North America) and MI2 Board Member Mike Buckentin (President and CEO, Logan Aluminum) will be featured presenters, sharing the focus of MI2 and laying out an industry challenge to attendees. We hope that many of you involved in the metals innovation ecosystem will sign up to participate in the event. Register here.

Canopy's 3rd Annual Good Business Summit Includes Inaugural Impact Awards

On Thursday, April 13th, Canopy will host its 3rd Annual Good Business Summit at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The event will be keynoted by Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of Terracycle, and will feature a wide range of Kentucky businesses.

It will also host the organization's inaugural Impact Awards, with recognitions given for Kentucky's Top Impact Company, Top Impact Leader, Social Impact, and the Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest Environmental Impact Award. Multiple MI2 member companies will be recognized at the event. Register here.

Supply Kentucky CONNEX Kentucky Initiative

In March, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the launch of a new Supply Kentucky initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs, and providing more security in the supply chains of Kentucky companies.

Supply Kentucky started a partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers to launch CONNEX Kentucky. CONNEX Kentucky is a new online platform that provides a searchable supply chain database for Kentucky manufacturers. Supply Kentucky will also coordinate marketing efforts, provide resources related to the workforce, and connect Kentucky companies to suppliers throughout the country, as well as foster the growth of minority- and female-owned businesses.

On the site, Kentucky manufacturers can register for free to connect with 140,000 local and national manufacturers. The portal is now open for companies to register and will allow Kentucky companies to search for other Kentucky companies to satisfy their supply chain needs. Having more local suppliers will increase reliability and decrease transportation costs.

CONNEX Kentucky intelligently connects manufacturers of all sizes, including PRIMES and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) based on deep data such as equipment, certifications, U.S. Small Business Administration designations, processes, capabilities, and other criteria.

UofL Industry Day for Louisville Automation & Robotics Research Institute

The University of Louisville held a UofL Industry Day for its Louisville Automation and Robotics Research Institute (LARRI), UofL's new Engineering Research Center.

The event, for founding members of the Center, included the Metals Innovation Initiative. Members will have unprecedented access to cutting-edge research, technology, innovation, and next-generation talent from UofL and other powerhouse institutions.

Learn more about LARRI here.

WKU Partners with Kentucky Thermal Institute for Online Thermology Course

Western Kentucky University announced this week a partnership with the Kentucky Thermal Institute to offer an online, on-demand Introduction to the Science of Thermology course through WKU Continuing & Professional Development.

The Kentucky Thermal Institute is focused on providing the practical knowledge and support professionals need to become a well-informed Thermologist in their field. According to KTI, "Thermology not only helps us comprehend the temperatures in the universe but also allows us to identify power quality issues, energy loss, tactical firefighting methods, medical and veterinary diagnosis, and even issues within the manufacturing of food or automotive products."

Learn more about the partnership and the introductory course here.

Launch of Kentucky Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership

In April, Kentucky is launching its new Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Beginning this month, the program will make available applications and begin accepting completed agreements.

The Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership was crated by Kentucky House Bill 499 last year. The initiative, backed by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, creates a new and unique public-private partnership in which employers and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services work together to help reduce the cost of quality child care for working Kentucky families.

Learn more about the program here.