Metals Innovation Initiative

05/19/2026

The MI2 Innovation Tour is underway. Today’s stops took the group to the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering, River Metals Recycling, and the Carroll County Fairgrounds, with North American Stainless hosting lunch this afternoon. Solution providers and metals manufacturers spent the day in direct conversation around the real challenges facing Kentucky’s metals industry.

We’re looking forward to two more days across Bowling Green, Logan County, and the WKU Innovation Campus.

Stay tuned! More content to come.

05/18/2026

Tomorrow, MI2's Innovation Tour kicks off! Three days, four areas in Kentucky, metals manufacturers and solution providers in the same room having real conversations.

Louisville and Northern Kentucky on Tuesday. Bowling Green and Logan County on Wednesday. Back in Bowling Green Thursday to wrap.

If you're a Kentucky metals manufacturer, there are two open Multi-Manufacturer Meetings. They are taking place Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon. Come see what this looks like in practice.

There's still time to join. Reach out to [email protected].

Learn more: https://www.mi2ky.org/blog/mi2-innovation-tour-2026-three-days-four-areas-in-kentucky

05/14/2026

MI2's Innovation Tour 2026 kicks off next week! Moving through four Kentucky areas across three days to connect metals manufacturers with curated Value Provider Members highlighting practical solutions to industry challenges.

A few of the sessions are open to area metals manufacturers. Are you curious about this programming? This is your opportunity to check it out. Register at the link below or reach out to MI2's member engagement manager at [email protected].

Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=P9ScgICYvEqmIMmZXNtHjwvv-_QPppZNlwvmjXa9TtJUOVdEWkYzQjBITUZaUEFYVUZURUFSUDI0Ri4u

04/23/2026

MI2's Innovation Tour is heading to North Central, South Central, and North West, Kentucky this May.

The InnoTour connects Kentucky metals manufacturers with solution providers working across technology, engineering, workforce, and operations. We're bringing together a strong lineup of Value Provider Members ready to demonstrate what's possible for your facility.

Participating providers include Mural Group, Keller Schroeder, harnageIR Services, Essential Innovations, Divami Design Labs, Critical Environment Solutions Ltd, Annovox Ai, Visia, Fluor Corporation, UnDesked, Passage Creative, CrowdSouth, Consolidated Electrical Distributors, and University of Louisville's Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center.

If you're a metals manufacturer in Kentucky, this is your opportunity to meet vetted solution providers in one room. Reach out to Jerilyn McArt Bristow for more information and participation.

04/15/2026

We are spotlighting Annovox Ai and their Executive Roundtable event tomorrow, April 16 at 11:00 AM CT. This is a working session — not a typical webinar — designed for candid, peer-driven discussion around a challenge many teams are facing right now: how to effectively capture and transfer knowledge on the floor before it walks out the door.

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/events/executiveroundtable-scalingfron7444811169447436289/

While this event is hosted by Annovox, we’re also looking forward to welcoming them as a Value Provider at our event in May, the MI2 Innovation Tour! For details, please reach out to Jerilyn Bristow, [email protected].

04/06/2026

"We have found real value in the work MI2 is doing to elevate modern manufacturing and strengthen the workforce pipeline." — Kenneth Calloway, SVP of Human Resources, Century Aluminum.

Century Aluminum is moving up to Executive Membership at MI2! Read more on our website: https://www.mi2ky.org/post/century-aluminum-moves-up-to-executive-membership-at-mi2

04/03/2026

Our April newsletter is live!

Check it out and stay connected: https://mailchi.mp/mi2ky/aprilupdates?e=282446c9dd

04/03/2026

We love to see it! 🥳

Would your school be interested in participating? Reach out! We’re happy to share more information and get you connected.

03/26/2026

Through MI2, a powerful public-private partnership between industry leaders, universities, and the Commonwealth, Kentucky is positioning itself at the forefront of the next phase of American manufacturing.

The goal? To brand Kentucky as the state of choice for metals innovation, employment, and growth. This is about more than industry. It’s about good jobs. Strong communities. And a future built right here at home.

Thank you to our value provider member Vid Monster Productions for our branding video! We're just getting started.

Every detail has a reason. Every move has intention.This is the story behind the MI2 brand — and the future we’re building.

03/24/2026

We’re excited to be a part of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce as we all work together to make Kentucky THE destination for metals innovation.

Please welcome Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) to the Logan County Chamber of Commerce! 🎉

Formed in 2022, MI2 is a nonprofit organization created by leading aluminum, copper, and steel producers in Kentucky in partnership with the state. Their mission is to bring industry, education, and community partners together to support innovation, workforce development, and continued growth in Kentucky’s metals sector.

By working closely with businesses, higher education, and economic development partners, MI2 helps strengthen one of Kentucky’s most important industries while creating new opportunities for the future. 🤝

Check out their website to learn more: www.mi2ky.org/