MSU takes over Innovation Center
The Paintsville Area Innovation Center, located in the Kentucky Highlands Entrepreneur Center (KHEC) is now under new direction. The Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development – Department of Commercialization and Innovation - recently awarded a contract to Morehead State University’s College of Business to operate the Innovation Center.
The KHEC is a mixed-use small business incubator owned by the City of Paintsville and which opened in 2004. The facility was built with a combination of state, federal and local funding and offering a comprehensive program of value added services to help entrepreneurs create, attract, expand and retain regional job opportunities. With a multi-county vision, the Area Innovation Center and the KHEC serves Johnson, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Martin, Magoffin, Perry and Pike counties and will continue its focus on helping Kentucky entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers perfect their business strategies and build successful high-performance businesses.
Paintsville Mayor Bob Porter, a KHEC advisory board member, worked with other City Council members, advisory board members and MSU officials to transition the Innovation Center to MSU’s College of Business following the Big Sandy Community and Technical College’s (BSCTC) decision to realign its economic development resources.
“Faced with significant budget cuts last year and this year, we decided to focus more on workforce development and training,” said Bobby McCool, BSCTC’s chief institutional officer. “The College will continue to provide the telecommunications and technology support to the Center and we are pleased that the operational partnership now includes Morehead State University.”
“We are extremely grateful to the leadership and financial resources that President Edwards, his staff and the BSCTC has provided the Innovation Center and KHEC since the beginning. Without their leadership we would not have had the success we have had in bringing new opportunities to our community,” Porter said.
KHEC Advisory Board Chairperson Mark McKenzie praised the college’s past and continuing support.
“I can’t say enough good things about the college and the leadership they have provided and are most appreciative of their continued involvement in the new partnership.”
MSU President Wayne D. Andrews applauded the community’s early vision and leadership in building the entrepreneur center and bringing the state supported innovation and commercialization program to the community.
“We are excited about MSU’s new opportunity to serve Johnson and surrounding counties. Regional outreach has always been at the heart of MSU’s mission and economic and community growth is more important than ever in our new global society. We look forward to a successful continuation of the Innovation Center program at the Entrepreneur Center and the partnership with the City and BSCTC,” said Dr. Andrews.
The Paintsville Area Innovation Center (IC) becomes the second IC operated by the MSU College of Business. The MSU Regional Enterprise Center in West Liberty has been the host to the West Liberty Area IC since 2004.
Johnathan Gay is its director and has been meeting with Paintsville area clients at the KHEC until the new IC director can be hired. MSU expects to have the new director by Jan. 1.
If you have a technology or innovation based business or even an idea for one, or if you have an interest in locating your new or expanded business in the Paintsville KHEC business incubator, call (606) 788-6000 for an appointment. You also may qualify for grant funds from Kentucky’s Rural Innovation Fund in regard to a new business. The MSU Small Business Development Center and Mountain Association for Community and Economic Development also are located at the KHEC.
Posted: 10-30-08
