Mi2 In The News

Get the latest news from MI2—updates on our programs, insights from our members, and stories that highlight the people and partnerships building the future of the metals industry.

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The Lane Report
March 2025

Metals Innovation Initiative appoints Bob Eviston as new Chairman of the Board

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), a Kentucky-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing the state’s metals industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Eviston as the new Chairman of the Board. Eviston brings over three decades of industry experience and a deep commitment to innovation and sustainability in metals manufacturing.

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The Latest from Mi2

Get the latest news from MI2—updates on our programs, insights from our members, and stories that highlight the people and partnerships building the future of the metals industry.

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Talent & Workforce
Recycling
Energy
Grants
Updates
Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

A Look at How the Metals Innovation Initiative Was Forged

The Metals Innovation Initiative was born from years of collaboration among Kentucky leaders, universities, industry, and MIT partners, evolving into a nonprofit uniting metals companies and strategic allies to make Kentucky the nation’s hub for metals innovation.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

On the Horizon

MI2 is actively engaging partners through upcoming advisory meetings, student outreach at IdeaFestival Bowling Green, a sustainability strategy session, and a statewide roadshow to connect with metals companies and strategic partners.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

Leader Showcase: Fuentes a Passionate and Innovative Leader in Kentucky Metals

Cristobal Fuentes has led North American Stainless since its founding in 1990, guiding its growth into the largest fully integrated stainless-steel producer in the U.S. while shaping Kentucky’s metals ecosystem through decades of expansion and leadership.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

MI2 Project Updates

The Metals Innovation Initiative is launching new projects with partners in education, government, and industry to prepare Kentucky’s metals sector for future technologies, workforce development, and student engagement.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
July 31, 2025

National innovation search launches in $38 billion Kentucky metals industry

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has launched its 2025 InnoSearch, a national competition inviting startups, researchers, and industry leaders to propose problems and solutions for Kentucky’s $38B metals industry, with finalists pitching at the Kentucky Industry Conference in October for prizes, partnerships, and pilot opportunities.
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Talent & Workforce
September 30, 2025
July 9, 2025

MI2 Metals Executive Roundtable with Gov. Beshear

MI2’s Metals Executive Roundtable in Frankfort gathered 20 industry leaders, Governor Beshear, and state officials to highlight Kentucky’s $38B metals sector, preview an upcoming economic impact study, and advance initiatives in talent, recycling, supply chain, and energy that position the state as a national leader in metals innovation.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
July 9, 2025

More Than a Trade Show: MI2 at ALUMINUM USA

MI2’s team connected with global industry leaders at ALUMINUM USA in Nashville, gaining fresh insights, building partnerships, and promoting Kentucky’s role as a hub for metals innovation while generating strong interest in MI2’s upcoming October conference.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
July 9, 2025

What We Learned at the MI2 Employer Collaborative Kickoff

MI2 supported the KY SWATT retreat in Elizabethtown, where seven major metals employers, educators, and state partners came together to address workforce challenges, share best practices, and launch collaborative strategies to strengthen Kentucky’s metals talent pipeline for the future.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
May 28, 2025

You're Invited: The MI2 Employer Collaborative

MI2 is launching the Employer Collaborative, inviting Kentucky metals companies to join a June 18 retreat in Elizabethtown to co-create stronger workforce pathways and develop a statewide strategy that directly reflects industry hiring needs.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
May 11, 2025

June 2025: Industry News & Events

This summer offers Kentucky businesses and partners a range of opportunities to engage in workforce and manufacturing initiatives, including KAM Off The Clock in Bowling Green, the Northern Kentucky Manufacturing Expo, the Military Hiring Academy at Fort Knox, DOE funding updates via GAIN, and KAM’s 2025 Wage & Workforce Study.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

MI2 a Clear Signal of Kentucky's Innovative Metals Leadership

Kentucky’s metals industry, employing over 30,000 people across 230 facilities, is driving statewide growth and innovation, with MI2 uniting industry leaders to advance workforce, sustainability, and entrepreneurial collaboration for the future.
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Talent & Workforce
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

Leader Showcase: Fuentes a Passionate and Innovative Leader in Kentucky Metals

Cristobal Fuentes has led North American Stainless since its founding in 1990, guiding its growth into the largest fully integrated stainless-steel producer in the U.S. while shaping Kentucky’s metals ecosystem through decades of expansion and leadership.
Read more
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Updates
September 25, 2025
July 9, 2025

MI2 Welcomes Clive Grannum and Mark Loik to the Board of Directors

MI2 has welcomed Clive Grannum, CEO of North American Stainless, and Mark Loik, Co-Founder of Southern Coil Solutions, to its Board of Directors, bringing global leadership and deep industry expertise to advance Kentucky’s role as a national hub for metals innovation.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
July 9, 2025

July 2025: Industry News, Events & Updates

MI2’s summer highlights include hosting KAM’s Energy Roundtable and REBECCA’s Next Gen Manufacturing session, supporting Pre-K for All town halls and Kentucky’s nuclear energy investigation, backing the KY-MEP Owensboro Expo, tracking Gen Z’s shift toward trades, and celebrating Kenneth Calloway’s selection for Leadership Kentucky 2025.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

MI2 Strategy Group Updates: An Introduction to MI2’s Four Strategy Groups

MI2’s Metals Leadership Council launched four strategy groups—Branding, Grants & Funding, Sustainability, and Talent & Workforce—to guide initiatives that strengthen Kentucky’s metals industry and drive its growth and innovation.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

What Is the Work? And Why Is It Important?

In 2023, MI2 is moving from vision to action by uniting Kentucky’s metals industry, government, and education partners through strategy groups in branding, workforce, sustainability, and funding to drive growth and position the state as the nation’s leader in metals innovation.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

News from the Industry

Recent highlights in Kentucky’s metals ecosystem include Nucor’s new $1.7B steel plate mill, North American Stainless’ $244M expansion, MI2’s collaboration on a National Science Foundation innovation grant, workforce and research initiatives with universities, and industry engagement through groups like Women in Manufacturing and KY-MEP.
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Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

A Look at How the Metals Innovation Initiative Was Forged

The Metals Innovation Initiative was born from years of collaboration among Kentucky leaders, universities, industry, and MIT partners, evolving into a nonprofit uniting metals companies and strategic allies to make Kentucky the nation’s hub for metals innovation.
Read more
Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

On the Horizon

MI2 is actively engaging partners through upcoming advisory meetings, student outreach at IdeaFestival Bowling Green, a sustainability strategy session, and a statewide roadshow to connect with metals companies and strategic partners.
Read more
Updates
September 25, 2025
February 2, 2023

MI2 Project Updates

The Metals Innovation Initiative is launching new projects with partners in education, government, and industry to prepare Kentucky’s metals sector for future technologies, workforce development, and student engagement.
Read more
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