MI2 News and Updates

One of those nonprofits is the Metals Innovation Initiative, formed in September 2022 aimed at bringing stakeholders together to make Kentucky the destination for metals innovation and for which Logan Aluminum is a founding member.

Logan Aluminum was selected for this award based on its nonprofit support, sponsorship of cultural events in the region and high level of involvement in the launch of two new statewide nonprofit organizations headquartered at the Western Kentucky University Innovation Campus…One of the nonprofits is the Metals Innovation Initiative.

Today, Gov. Beshear announced a team of Kentucky public and private workforce development partner is one of 16 groups selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Quality Academy in 2023. Designed and operated in partnership with Jobs for the Future and other national partners, the Academy provides a unique opportunity to help the workforce system focus on enhancing good jobs and opportunities for workers.

On Tuesday, April 11th, Logan Aluminum President and Metals Innovation Initiative Board Member Mike Buckentin was one of the featured speakers at the Kentucky Innovator Challenge. The event was hosted by UK Innovate, the innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research. President Buckentin, shared MI2’s vision and the challenges to drive innovation in the metals industry.

As an important link between WKU and regional businesses, the Innovation Campus continues its work to develop a talent pipeline for the region’s growing technology, manufacturing, automotive and logistics industries while reinforcing Bowling Green’s position as the connective tissue between Louisville and Nashville. Businesses and organizations, such as…the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2)…established a presence at our Innovation Campus during the past two years.

Through the initiative, Kamineni said he hopes more people, both in and outside of Kentucky, begin to associate the state’s thriving metals industry with Kentucky’s economic identity…“We have a great story to tell,” Kamineni said. “…But we can’t make change happen if we’re not working together.”