University of Kentucky Economic Development Collaborative

The University of Kentucky is a powerful economic engine for Kentucky. We?educate and empower?the next generation of citizens,?provide research?that influences community and policy development and?collaborate with economic partners?— all of which strengthen and shape a new future for both Lexington and the Commonwealth. If this is work that you'd like to be updated on, subscribe to the Economic Development Collaborative's monthly newsletter. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/e33s2zx9 #talent #innovation #place #parntership #equity #highereducation #landgrantuniversity

February's newsletter featured EDC member Jason Schubert, MPA Jason Schubert is the Salesforce Administrator for the Economic Development Collaborative. In this role, he supports the EDC’s use of Salesforce within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement’s Salesforce database (called RADAR). Jason has been at UK since 2020, first working as the program coordinator for the student food pantry (Big Blue Pantry), then with the Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy team and finally as a Salesforce Administrator for Philanthropy before joining the EDC. Prior to working at UK, Jason spent four years in the non-profit sector, first with a nonprofit focused on youth education in the arts in Dubuque, Iowa, and then with an event production nonprofit in Indianapolis, Indiana. Outside of UK, Jason is active in the community, serving as board chair for two nonprofits (Frontrunners Lexington and Lexington Pride Center) and collaborating with city government on improving pedestrian safety in our city. Jason spends his free time going on long walks with his dog, cooking and baking, hiking, attending concerts and art shows and training for his next marathon. Read the rest of the February EDC newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e5uwf9i5

OneUK, a strategic collaboration between the University of Kentucky and leading community businesses, has released its first annual report, offering an in-depth look at the program’s mission, impact and future goals. The report highlights the accomplishments of OneUK’s inaugural year, including its work with the first cohort of partners: Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Fischer Homes and Valvoline Global. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/e7Q4vkBr #oneuk #industrypartnerships #talent #innovation #economicdevelopment Kimberly Kluemper Melody Flowers Landon Borders Audrey M. Baricovich Jessica Koenigsknecht-Talboo Ray Clere Tori Summey

UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky is set to host the third annual Kentucky Innovator Challenge (KIC). 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 15 in Ballrooms 212 A&B in the Gatton Student Center. The one-day summit will bring together leaders from business, service organizations and higher education to identify the most pressing challenges facing Kentucky that are best solved through collaborative research and innovation economic development. KIC 2025 is free and open to anyone interested in attending. Register here: https://lnkd.in/egRpJeXi Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eiMWAFfw | Article by: Lindsay Travis #research #innovation #partnerships #industry

The University of Kentucky’s?Estate Whiskey Alliance??(EWA)?is launching a first-of-its-kind program that authenticates estate whiskeys with a globally recognized certification mark to be used on qualifying whiskey product labels: Estate Whiskey Certified?. Estate whiskey refers to a type of whiskey that is produced entirely on the distillery estate using grains sourced from the estate or local to that site. Estate Whiskey Certified? products will have each of the following characteristics: -All production processes including milling, cooking, fermentation, distillation, barreling, aging and bottling occur on the estate distillery. -At least 2/3 of all mash bill grains are grown on estate-owned or controlled land. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ee3_e9Ew | Article by: Lindsay Travis UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky Landon Borders #innovation #kentucky #locateinlex

Join the March Start Up Breakfast event — in partnership with UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky — on March 19 from 8–10 AM at DV8 Kitchen. This event will feature three outstanding University of Kentucky startups selected to represent UK at the Southeast Venture Showcase (SEVS) in April: ?? ElectraMet – Cameron Lippert & James Landon (UK CAER technology) ?? Lepidext – Bruce Webb (UK CAFE technology) ?? Parasight Systems – Eric Hauck (UK CAFE collaboration) These startups have gone from idea to product, team to traction, and capital to scale—right here in Lexington. SEVS represents a major milestone in their journey toward late-stage growth capital. This event is free and open to all—no registration required! Don’t miss this chance to connect with Lexington’s startup community. #Startups #Innovation #Networking #LexingtonKY #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital

Students in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s?Rural Physician Leadership Program (RPLP)?in Morehead have launched a student-run mobile health clinic called the Caring for Appalachians Through Service (CATS) Clinic. It’s in partnership with the Gateway Homeless Coalition. The clinic is supported by a one-year, $12,000 pilot grant from the College of Medicine’s?Office of Community Advancement?through the?UK Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES). The RPLP, launched in 2009 with UK St. Claire and Morehead State University, aims to train future doctors to provide compassionate care in rural settings.?The program accepts up to 15 students each year who complete their first two years of medical school in Lexington, then move to Morehead for years three and four to gain clinical experience at UK St. Claire and surrounding providers in northeastern Kentucky. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eYm7_MMq | Article by: Alexis Baker #advancingky #healthcare #communitydevelopment #talent #economicdevelopment

The Department of Energy has funded UK Research on critical materials for commercial fusion energy. UK has been selected to lead a project with $2.3 million in funding over four years from the?U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy?to develop next-generation materials critical to commercializing fusion power. The award is part of the?Creating Hardened And Durable fusion first Wall Incorporating Centralized Knowledge?program. The goal is to discover or develop a class of first wall materials — materials that form the inner wall of a fusion reactor and contact the plasma — that will maintain performance over the lifetime of a fusion power plant. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gMMTvY_h | Article by: Lindsay Travis #research #innovation

The Growing Our Work workshop series is back for Spring. Growing Our Own is a comprehensive, free, three-week workshop series aimed at helping small businesses thrive in Kentucky’s landscape. Each session will take place in person at Commerce Lexington in Lexington, KY, and will also be available virtually via Zoom. A Q&A segment will be included in each session, offering valuable insights and information to attendees. The Spring 2025 series will take place on the following dates: ·??????April 17: How to Do Business with the University of Kentucky ·??????April 24: Knowing Your KY Entrepreneur and Small Business Resources ·??????May 1: Understanding Which Business Certification is Right for You Each workshop will take place at 5:30 p.m. and free dinner will be provided. Register for FREE here: https://lnkd.in/e9ABjXQV #entreprenuership #kysmallbusiness #economicdevelopment Commerce Lexington Inc. Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet Kentucky APEX Accelerator Kentucky Small Business Development Center University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

We’re thrilled to share the 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of progress on our bold ideas, impactful partnerships, and forward-thinking strategies happening throughout the university to advance Kentucky together. Some highlights of the 2024 economic development efforts across the University of Kentucky include: ?? Building a Stronger Workforce – The Connect 120 initiative enhances economic development across the state by connecting Kentuckians with the wealth of programs, services and knowledge available at UK, forserting economic and workforce development. ?? Driving Innovation – The UK-led GAME Change initiative advanced in the National Science Foundation’s $160 million Engines proposal. ?? Supporting Small Businesses – The "Growing Our Own" workshop series launched, equipping Kentucky-based businesses with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive. ?? Expanding Business Engagement – OneUK welcomed its second cohort, strengthening collaboration with Bullard, Catalent, and Fidelity Investments. ?? Mapping Economic Opportunity – The Opportunity Map initiative continues to evolve, using data to drive economic engagement and support communities in Kentucky. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ecQgrUy3 #economicdevelopment #talent #workforcedevelopment #innovation #place #placemaking #partnerships #businessengagement George Ward Melody Flowers Audrey M. Baricovich Ian D. McClure Melody Nall Kimberly Kluemper Marilyn Clark