< Previous68 KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE a retail pharmacy and more. There is also a Goodwill’s Opportunity Center, a part of the campus, which provides social services with various community partners. Just Imagine Building on its commitment to broadening care services, Norton Healthcare launched the “Just Imagine” campaign in 2024. The initial goal is to raise $200 million over the next two years to support investments that will ultimately increase accessibility to programs and services. As of March 2024, the community has already donated $154.5 million. In addition to focusing the funds on growing and enhancing facilities, elevating technological research is among the campaign’s top priorities, primarily in diabetes care, heart care, cancer care, critical care, neurosciences and pediatric behavioral health. “It also allows us to attract very specific and high-level research individuals. And I think that does create a halo effect of excellence. It attracts patients and gets us national recognition as to the great work that’s being done here,” said Cox. “That campaign is one that’s going to ask our community to step up and join us and accelerate the growth in making this region known for what we think it is. We don’t take a back seat to Indianapolis, Nashville or any of those. The DNA in Louisville health care is strong.” The Norton Research Institute has nearly 1,000 active studies underway, ranging from oncology drug trials to non-surgical Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s treatment methods. “We like to think that the research that we focus on directly impacts and makes better a patient’s life, therefore making the community a better place,” said Cox. “We definitely have the environment and the atmosphere in our community that can take this agenda on and be attractive and known for innovation and transformation in health care.” Kentucky as a whole has been growing this reputation in recent years. Over the last two decades, the state has emerged as trailblazer in medical innovation, with achievements such as the first successful hand transplant and the nation’s second implantation of an artificial heart taking place at hospitals in the region. Since the start of the Beshear administration, the state has secured 71 new location and expansion projects related to the health care industry, totaling $1.15 billion in investment and creating over 4,000 jobs. With a strong health care system, innovative research centers and an influx of new companies, Kentucky is rapidly shaping into a rising health care hub worth watching. Norton West Louisville Hospital, the first new hospital in the area in 150 years, opened to patients on Monday, November 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of Norton HealthcareKCTCS encompasses 16 colleges across 70 campuses throughout Kentucky. Image courtesy of KCTCS I n Kentucky, colleges and universities are some of the most valuable allies for businesses, off ering a range of resources that help companies stay ahead in an ever- evolving market. is support starts at the colleges and campuses associated with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). With nearly , students enrolling each year in more than programs, ranging from associate degrees to industry-recognized credentials, KCTCS ensures Kentucky’s workforce remains skilled, adaptable and ready to meet the demands of businesses across the state. To do this eff ectively and effi ciently, KCTCS partners with over , businesses throughout Kentucky, allowing their industry expertise to infl uence the curriculum and open doors for its students. “We want to make sure we have industries dialed into what our programs are off ering,” said Blair Hess, vice president of communications and marketing at KCTCS. “We do regular reviews of all our workforce programs with those industries. Say it’s a welding program: We have welders sitting on those review committees so that they can tell us, ‘Yes, this training is still relevant. No, we require new technologies.’ We are focusing on putting students to work no matter what their program is.” Hess emphasized that KCTCS’ programs are not only for people looking for new certifi cations or degrees. rough the KCTCS-TRAINS program, a fund designated by the Kentucky General Assembly, companies are able to upskill their workforce. ose that are eligible will receive funding to assist with the cost of providing training and assessment services to current and potential employees through KCTCS colleges. “We will cover up to % of the cost of upskilling your workforce and teach them the new technology,”explained Hess. “So, if something has changed in How academic institutions keep Kentucky- based companies competitive. The Business of Education 70 KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE HIGHER EDUCATION by LINDSAY LOPPKENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 71 your industry, and you suddenly have a workforce that needs new training, come to KCTCS.” KCTCS-TRAINS funds are distributed on a project-by-project basis and require a company cash match of 25% plus a 10% administrative fee for use of the funds. Partnerships in Action Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC), a KCTCS- affiliated school, has been instrumental in preparing the thousands of workers needed to get Ford and SK On’s BlueOval SK Battery Park up and running. In June 2024, the ECTC BlueOval SK Training Center, a 42,000-sq.-ft. facility designed specifically to train workers for the 5,000 jobs created at the new battery park, kickstarted onboarding classes for more than 700 employees of varying experience levels. The core curriculum focuses on battery knowledge, roles and skills, with employees also receiving specialized training in SK On’s proprietary technical, quality and manufacturing processes. The Center was specifically outfitted with virtual reality labs, an industrial maintenance lab, work simulation labs and classrooms dedicated to ergonomics techniques to give students hands- on learning experiences on advanced equipment. “One of the main vertebrae in the spine of our community is our friends at KCTCS and ECTC,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory in a press release last May. “This region owes much of our success in regard to industrial recruitment to our community and technical college’s ability to adapt curriculum to the needs of our industrial clients. The new ECTC BlueOval SK Training Center is further proof that private and public can collaborate to benefit the citizens of this region and the commonwealth of Kentucky for the foreseeable future.” An Engine for Advancement Workforce training isn’t the only way Kentucky’ s higher education system is supporting industry. Major research institutions such as the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Louisville (UofL), drive innovation and economic growth through cutting- edge research in fields such as health care, agriculture and engineering. UK’s Kentucky Innovation Center and UofL’s focus on bioengineering and data science help translate discoveries into real-world applications, while fostering partnerships with businesses and startups. Together, 72 KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE they strengthen Kentucky’s industrial competitiveness and position the state as a leader in research and development. In recent years, the innovation landscape in Kentucky has grown to extend beyond R1 universities, opening more opportunities for collaboration and progress. Through Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV), smaller colleges and universities’ contributions to the state’s research- driven economic growth are expanding. The venture is led by a board of advisors including representatives of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. KCV serves as a resource for non-R1 universities and colleges to bolster research, product creation and commercialization. KCTCS, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University are among those benefiting from KCV initiatives. “I like to say we’re a disruptor in the space of academic research and development, because we produce a statewide resource for people that had otherwise never had it,” said Kayla Meisner, executive director of KCV. “Our schools are not going to have schools of medicine or a cancer center like UofL or UK might have, but what we do have is these socially impact-driven solutions that I believe may arrive to the market quicker. And that’s really exciting that we may be able to see a flurry of companies coming out of rural Kentucky solving big, impactful issues in a new way and with a new perspective.” It accomplishes the first goal through the KCV Innovation Fellowship, a cohort-based training program “ We do not have to be Silicon Valley. We do not have to be Boston or New York City. We have a special power in our own right by being from Kentucky and having the landscape and the profile that we do, ” —Kayla Meisner, Executive Director of KCVKCTCS offers more than 600 degree and certification programs essential to industries such as health care and manufacturing. Image courtesy of KCTCS KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 73 designed to “demystify the world of commercialization” for aspiring innovators. This cohort-based, 8-week program walks participants through every step of the commercialization process, from ideation to market entry. Weekly online cohort meetings, combined with independent study using high-quality startup training materials, guided application exercises and mentoring sessions with KCV staff and coaches, ensure that participants gain a comprehensive understanding of how to turn their research into a viable business. In addition to training, KCV also focuses on providing financial resources to support innovation at various stages. Through initiatives like the KCV Impact Competition, this seed fund is directly supporting the research and development of early-stage ideas. The KCV GOAL (Growth, Opportunity, and Learning) fund provides financing for professional development opportunities for faculty, staff and students. This fund enables participants to present their research and entrepreneurial efforts at conferences and other events by covering related expenses, helping them gain visibility and foster connections. Granting Emerging and Developing Institutions a Competitive EDGE (Equitable and Diverse Grant Ecosystem), also known as KCV EDGE, received the organization’s first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, totaling $8.25 million, in 2024. This program builds on KCV’s centralized technology transfer services for public colleges and universities as it strives to support underrepresented higher education institutions with research infrastructure. Your Ideas Are Yours to Keep Just as the innovations KCV supports aim to empower ideas that impact lives, the alliance itself is dedicated to creating enduring change through its advocacy efforts. The Kentucky Intellectual Propety Alliance promotes education and awareness related to the protection of intellectual property, playing a critical role in shaping a favorable environment for innovators in the state. Kentucky was the fifth state in the U.S. to launch an IP Alliance. This advocacy work is reflected in how KCV runs its own programs. The organization does not take any ownership of its participants’ intellectual property. “We do not take an assignment of anyone’s intellectual property,” said Meisner. “We foot the bill, and we pay for the protection, and we advise on the protection needed for that innovation and then we try to move them along that commercialization pathway, which at every stage is attempting to derisk the technology and maximize the value.” By nurturing the growth of new technologies, fostering entrepreneurship and advocating for strong intellectual property protections, KCV is not only driving economic development but also improving the lives of those living in Kentucky. “We do not have to be Silicon Valley. We do not have to be Boston or New York City. We have a special power in our own right by being from Kentucky and having the landscape and the profile that we do,” said Meisner. “I believe that the people that we get to work with, the researchers, the administrators, the innovations that we see coming out of our KCV partner institutions will be the solution.” T he Kentucky Innovation Hubs program was updated in to ensure more comprehensive services, while avoiding any signs of slowed momentum across the state. “A remapping of how Kentucky’s counties are covered by six innovation hub regions,” which took eff ect in July , has set the stage for ample access to all the resources an entrepreneur could dream of, anywhere in the Bluegrass State. Just over $ million in total funding is allocated based on the population of each hub’s service area. “ is represents an important opportunity to strengthen and grow the hubs’ roles as the front door for all entrepreneurs and startups in their regions, while also capitalizing on Kentucky’s unprecedented economic development momentum,” said Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel. SOAR Non-profi t organization Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) leads the largest hub in the KY Innovation Hubs network, encompassing counties across Eastern Kentucky. “ e vast, rural region’s experience with coal production also cultivated communities who know a thing or two about working together to harness vital resources.” Rural living presents its challenges, creating obstacles that have long bred ingenuity throughout this region of the state. Today, assets such as SOAR make it easier to bring homegrown ideas to scale. by ALEXIS ELMORE Innovation In Every Corner 74 KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE KY INNOVATION “We have people in this region that have worked extremely hard. They’ve gone underneath mountains and run massive machinery to extract coal, gas and more,” said SOAR Chief Operating Officer Joshua Ball. “It’s not that innovation doesn’t exist here, we’re just recalibrating it and showing that it can be applied to other areas.” Ball noted, “innovative ideas aren’t based upon zip code,” and neither are Kentucky’s entrepreneurs. A majority of counties within the SOAR Innovation Hub are made up of distressed communities, which presents a steeper mountain for most to climb. But it’s not a journey that is pursued alone as a state-wide ecosystem has been built to deliver the necessary tools and services regardless of location. “While we’re mandated to serve the counties in our region, we’re not doing it alone,” said Ball. “There are resources and expertise not only with the state, but with our fellow hubs and ecosystem partners. We build relationships, identify strengths and potential weaknesses in our respective areas, and are able to work together to fill those gaps.” From 2023 to 2024, the SOAR Innovation Hub served 603 startups, saw 19 startups advance, 15 new businesses created and $721,000 invested into Eastern Kentucky startups. Free business training courses, networking events, funding opportunities, coaching and mentorship are readily available to entrepreneurs at any stage. AWESOME INC Based in Lexington, tech incubator Awesome Inc now brings together 28 counties within its innovation hub. Prior to gaining an expanded portfolio, the organization serviced nine counties in northeastern Kentucky. During 2023, Awesome Inc served 251 companies, taught 114 students how to code and drew 2,640 attendees across 78 events. The mission to aid in the development and growth of high-tech startups began 16 years ago for Awesome Inc, which has developed a fleet of programs to inspire all ages. The organization has a focus on fostering tech talent young, creating initiatives like week-long camps for children to gain an introduction to coding. Participants are given the knowledge to create their own video game, website or mobile app, while building project presentation skills at the same time. Youth and adults interested in building a career in tech through avenues such as web development, AI and cybersecurity can take advantage of courses with up-to-date curriculum at their own pace. These skill- building tools aim to direct participants toward internships or aid in a seamless career switch. Awesome Inc’s 18,000-sq.-ft. workspace in the city offers a gathering place for innovators to meet for events, assemble in a conference room or reserve private office space at any time. It is additionally where entrepreneurs can carry out a one-year Awesome Inc Fellowship, which provides startups with access to mentors, investors, business development tools and legal assistance. To date, 86 portfolio companies have gone through the program, raising $158.8 million in outside investments. Aside from mentorship and networking opportunities, entrepreneurs and startups can go through Awesome Inc to gain funding for their ideas. The Cherub Fund offers investments smaller than $10,000 to early-stage startups, while the Awesome Fund offers pre-seed and seed stage funding between $50,000 and $250,000. The most unique funding opportunity can be explored through the organization’s 5 Across pitch competition, in which five participants are selected to provide a five- minute pitch of their idea for a chance to receive a $500 cash prize in addition to a $5,000 investment. BLUE NORTH With 17 counties now under Bluegrass Northern Kentucky’s (Blue North) belt, the innovation hub is set to continue its efforts of cultivating a regional business ecosystem that works together to address opportunity barriers faced by entrepreneurs looking to get started. Innovation begins with an idea, although where to move next can become murky. Blue North’s programs, like its Resilience Accelerator, provide support The newly remapped KY Innovation Hubs aim to connect residents to entrepreneurial resources with ease. Map courtesy of KY Innovation KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 75from the ground up. Developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Lina Ehlinger, the program focuses on the mental health of innovators in the region. It provides tools and advice to aid navigating stress management, conflict resolution and emotional regulation for startup founders. Motivation to build upon innovative ideas can additionally be accessed by tapping into the region’s network of like-minded individuals. In creating Blue North’s SuperHive newsletter, residents gain insight into the needs of their community and explore ways to connect on a weekly basis. The platform allows residents to gain feedback and support and find resources to bring their ideas to the next level by submitting questions or offers to the network. By July 2025, Blue North looks to replicate the SuperHive initiative in a physical gathering space. SparkHaus will operate as an entrepreneurial hub, bridging the gap between innovators, investors and support teams in Northern Kentucky. The $16 million project investment will bring new life to a historic 48,000-sq.-ft. former Sims Furniture Building in Covington. The space will house over 30 private offices, conference rooms and event space for seed- stage startups and beyond. AMPLIFY “We often hear people say, ‘I planned to stay for two years, and here I am 20 years later.’ That sense of community is powerful,” said Amplify Co-Founder and CEO Larry Horn. The Louisville-based innovation hub has grown to serve 12 counties in the state, representing 27% of Kentucky’s population. Horn notes that this region brings a unique mix of challenges and opportunities, as many residents are historically underserved in terms of tech- enabled, venture-backable ventures. The innovation hub’s growth has opened doors to new community stakeholders, founders and investors to boost Amplify’s existing resources and platform. The most sought-after resources in these counties are mentorship, coaching from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) and access to capital. Amplify’s EIRs, existing through a partnership with the University of Louisville, are uniquely positioned to provide tailored guidance, as they often come from the same regions they serve, bringing firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the communities they support. Amplify’s online platform creates a virtual community, extends programs tailored specifically to its residents and creates industry partnerships to meet founders where they are in their venture. With entrepreneurial activity on the rise in areas such as health care, logistics, consumer products and industrial innovation, Amplify is focused on spotlighting gaps in programmatic and capital stacks. CREATE The Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CREATE) serves 12 counties from its headquarters at the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus in Bowling Green. It is here that innovators can take advantage of the WKU Collaborative SmartSpace, which provides a 24/7, 30,000-sq.-ft. facility to work, meet and network with creatives. As entrepreneurs aim to expand, the WKU Small Business Accelerator is stationed to support startups and early stage companies. Participants gain access to CREATE’s portfolio of local, regional and state business development resources to hit the ground running. Whether needs include business development counseling, training, mentorship or prototyping, entrepreneurs can customize their business needs at any time. As of now, the WKU Small Business Accelerator is home to over 20 startup companies. As one’s business finds momentum, CREATE offers its CO/CREATE Talent Database which compiles individuals interested in working in Kentucky and connects them to companies looking to expand or move into the region. It additionally creates a platform to connect entrepreneurs who are looking to pursue a new venture together based on areas of expertise. 76 KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDESPROCKET Sprocket spearheads providing services to startups and entrepreneurs across a 22-county region in West Kentucky. Regardless of whether one is crafting an idea, ready to launch or prepared to exit, Sprocket has an established base of programs, support and community to see a business through. Located in Paducah, the organization has helped support 50 startups, 44% of which are minority- or women-owned. This activity has led to more than $4.2 million invested into local startups and the creation of 182 jobs. For startups looking to relocate to the state, Sprocket offers its Next50K Startup Pitch Competition. Entrepreneurs selected to compete can earn $50,000 toward needs like market research, branding, training and product development. This year, the competition focuses on health care startups, as finalists are connected to its Healthcare Advisory Council for industry- focused mentors and investors. Residents looking to break into a new venture can participate in Sprocket’s West Kentucky Innovation Challenge. The six-week program provides hands-on training to build skills in areas such as idea development and customer discovery while receiving expert coaching to refine a business idea. At the end of the program participants can enter into a pitch competition to help launch their startup. Aside from these, the organization has a plethora of events and programs on rotation to fit the needs of any budding entrepreneur either online or in person. KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 77Next >