As it celebrates its 15-year anniversary, the Center at Kentucky Highlands is reimagining what it means to help small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“The economy and the entire world have undergone significant changes and disruptions since the Center at Kentucky Highlands was launched,” said Jerry Rickett, president and CEO of Kentucky Highlands. “Now is the right time to ensure that our services and trainings are aligned with what entrepreneurs and small business owners need to grow and succeed.”
Formerly called the Kentucky Highlands Innovation Center, this 6,900 square-foot facility in Laurel County houses a variety of office and meeting space as a launching pad for new and developing businesses. It is also designed to provide virtual and in-person training and technical assistance to businesses in science, technology and other knowledge-based fields.
Upcoming plans include:
- Applying to become an Innovation Hub for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development again. This status would better connect the center and its clients with state support, resources and initiatives. It also would allow them to learn about opportunities first, including venture capital and tax credits.
- Increasing utilization of the training room so it is booked 24/7 with a hybrid of in-person and interactive virtual opportunities.
- Reaching out to businesses and organizations to identify pain points for small businesses so the center can customize training and create new solutions to problem-solving.
- Enhancing partnerships with organizations such as the Lake Cumberland Training Consortium to bring the training it does in Somerset to the London area and Boom KY, which has developed high school platforms in a dozen school districts to assist students who are launching businesses and making money.
- Integrating our trainings, tenants and lending to create a pipeline of business growth.