Agile Consulting Group, sales tax exemption and compliance experts, recently joined the Metals Innovation Initiative (Mi2) as a value provider, further strengthening its commitment to supporting manufacturers across Kentucky.

he Metals Innovation Initiative was created by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in 2022 to connect all parties to work for the common good in areas like energy and transportation infrastructure, supportive public policy, and more and better-skilled workers.

Mike Buckentin, MI2 CEO, named to St. Louis Federal Reserve board.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has announced the following changes to its Louisville Branch board of directors, effective January 2026: Michael D. Buckentin, CEO of Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) in Bowling Green, Ky., has been appointed by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to a three-year term.

A Kentucky Republican plans to refile a bill next year to encourage the use of metals manufactured in the U.S. in state and local government construction projects.

Kentucky manufacturing leaders weigh in on the industry's resurgence, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector's future.

A Kentucky nonprofit has chosen a metals industry veteran with over 30 years of experience to lead its board. Read more at the link above.

Metal production is at the epicenter of Kentucky’s economy. Automotive. Aerospace. Food and Beverage. Manufacturing. You name it, almost half of the state’s major industries rely on the vital products this sector generates. From steel to aluminum and copper, Kentucky’s robust pipeline for these resources provides unparalleled access to materials that are globally in high demand.

Kentucky is a major steel and aluminum production center, but few state residents know it. Today, the majority of U.S. aluminum production capacity is in Kentucky. Kentuckians operate North America’s largest stainless-steel mill and the largest copper recycler, run the largest aluminum recycling plant in the world, manage three of the five aluminum smelters in the U.S., and roll sheet aluminum for most of the nation’s beverage cans.

Kentucky is a major steel and aluminum production center, but few state residents know it.Today, the majority of U.S. aluminum production capacity is in Kentucky. Kentuckians operate North America’s largest stainless-steel mill and the largest copper recycler, run the largest aluminum recycling plant in the world, manage three of the five aluminum smelters in the U.S., and roll sheet aluminum for most of the nation’s beverage cans. Read more at the link above.

Metal production is at the epicenter of Kentucky’s economy. Automotive. Aerospace. Food and Beverage. Manufacturing. You name it, almost half of the state’s major industries rely on the vital products this sector generates. From steel to aluminum and copper, Kentucky’s robust pipeline for these resources provides unparalleled access to materials that are globally in high demand. Read more at the link above.

A Kentucky nonprofit has chosen a metals industry veteran with over 30 years of experience to lead its board. Read more at the link above.

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.

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.

He led Russellville’s Logan Aluminum through a period of rapid growth, now Mike Buckentin aims to do the same for the fledgling Bowling Green-based nonprofit Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2). Buckentin, Logan Aluminum’s CEO for seven years before his retirement in October 2024, has been named CEO of the MI2 organization that was formed in 2022 with a mission of promoting Kentucky as a destination for innovation in the metals industry. Read more at the link above.

The Metals Innovation Initiative is shaking up its leadership team after two years of growth. Read the full article on Louisville Business First at the link above.

MI2’s CIO, Vijay Kamineni, was named to The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) “Blue-Ribbon Commission on Kentucky’s Contributions to America’s Critical Industrial Base” to develop recommendations on how Kentucky can more directly contribute to America’s industrial growth in critical economic sectors, with a primary focus on the nation’s defense industrial base.

The American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize is multi-million-dollar prize competition designed to create opportunity for college students, manufacturing coalitions, and community organizations to engage underserved communities to ensure an equitable clean energy transition.

MIT Research Scientist Ben Armstrong addresses the crowd during a session at MI2, KAM and GAME Change’s Kentucky Industry Conference on Oct. 30, 2024.

Participants will intermingle GAME Change sessions with keynote speakers, vendors, and networking as part of GAME Change’s collaboration with the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2). GAME Change Summit and Workshop agendas will be available soon.

Kentucky Inno Fire Awards recognizes companies and leaders sparking innovation, fueling growth and blazing a path to be the next big thing.

Metals Innovation Initiative is one of five winners in our 2024 Kentucky Inno Fire Awards.

One of Kentucky’s newest statewide nonprofit organizations is partnering with one of Louisville’s most well known venture capital firms.

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has launched a global search for pilot-ready innovations addressing challenges in the metals industry.

Joining in the tournament announcement (was) Matt Bedingfield, chairman of Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) – a Kentucky-based nonprofit that provides collaborative, industry-led executive leadership to attract and promote advanced research, sustainability, commercialization, and talent development in Kentucky’s metal industry. Bedingfield is also president of Wieland North America Recycling and Senior Vice President of Global Metals Management for Wieland Group.

The 11th annual IdeaFestival Bowling Green will welcome more than 850 middle and high school students from 21 school districts across the Commonwealth to campus for a mix of speaker sessions and minds-on, hands-on activities…This year’s activity creators include…Metals Innovation Initiative.

The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University will welcome more than 850 middle and high school students to campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, February 15, for the 11th annual IdeaFestival® Bowling Green. Afternoon sessions will feature minds-on, hands-on activities to ignite the curiosity in participants…This year’s activity creators include…Metals Innovation Initiative.

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has taken a significant step toward advancing its sustainability goals with the issuance of two Requests for Information (RFIs) on Friday, February 2nd. These RFIs mark the initiation of two key initiatives within the organization’s Sustainability strategic focus area.

Our President and CEO, Mike Buckentin joined WKU President WKU President Timothy C. Caboni, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Bunch, and other leaders from the area to give the governor a tour of the facility, including a visit to the offices of the Metals Innovation Initiative, a metals industry executive-led nonprofit focused on bringing Kentuckians together to make the Commonwealth the destination for metals innovation.

The WKU Innovation Campus was the natural launching point for a visit for the future (alongside) innovative companies of national consequence like Eyeconic and Eezy that have grown up at the Innovation Campus, R&D and leadership operations for companies like Holley and StuppFiber, and innovation entities like the Metals Innovation Initiative and AccelerateKY.

Recent success story: Metals Innovation Initiative–The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) is a Kentucky-based non-profit that provides collaborative, industry-led executive leadership to attract and promote advanced research, sustainability, commercialization, and talent development in the state’s metals industry. MI2 strives for Kentucky to be the preeminent destination for metal innovation.

Kentucky’s economic development leaders are committed to smoothing the processes for companies locating in Kentucky. Plus, the companies themselves collaborate and innovate through a non-profit partnership called the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2)…“The more metals industry comes here, and the more innovation, more research and more universities focus on metals, we all benefit,” said Vijay Kamineni, CEO of MI2. “So, the competition is together competing with the other regions rather than competing with each other in the region. That’s where our strength is.”

One of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to fostering innovation is through our Innovation Campus – where ideas flourish and entrepreneurs, leaders and researchers work together to develop real-world solutions to our area’s most pressing concerns. Last Thursday, we showcased the remarkable work underway at our Innovation Campus during an onsite visit with Governor Beshear, and it reminded us how much we have accomplished of late. Recent activities and developments at our Innovation Campus include: The Metals Innovation Initiative hosted the ‘Factory of the Future’ conference.

On this week’s episode of The DeCesare Group Podcast Jim talks with Nick Noble from the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2). MI2 is a Kentucky-based nonprofit that plays a vital role in the state’s metals industry. Jim and Nick will discuss MI2’s history and mission and their collaborative efforts in the metals industry. To learn more about MI2’s work by visiting their website at www.mi2ky.org.

Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) and its Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Network (AML) celebrated the graduation of its first class of nine fellows last night.

The SCK LAUNCH Experience, a notable career exploration event, welcomed nearly 3,500 students from diverse educational backgrounds…A Big Thank You to Our Participating Businesses (including) MI2 (Metals Innovation Initiative).

Newly elected as KAM directors…Vijay Kamineni, CEO, Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), Bowling Green, and Chief Innovation & Technology Leader, Logan Aluminum in Russellville. Kamineni is CEO of the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), a Kentucky-focused nonprofit with the mission to bring Kentucky together to make the state the destination for metals innovation.

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) hosted their inaugural MI2 Annual Conference, focused this year on “Factory of the Future” in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 5-6. The conference was well-attended by University of Kentucky (UK) faculty and staff, including members of UK Innovate. The “Factory of the Future” was built around the Smart Factory concept.

The Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) officially launched in September 2022, bringing together a consortium of metals industry leaders to make Kentucky the preeminent destination for metals innovation. KSTC was a founding partner in MI2.

Since graduating in May, she chose to stay close to home and works as a contractor for Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) at the WKU Innovation Campus. Whittle also provides her services to Oria Health, a telehealth mental health care organization; Lunae LLC, a strategic management company and Gambit, a political mapping app for optimized campaign practices.