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2025 annual report text over a city scape graphic

UK's Economic Development Collaborative releases 2025 annual report at 2026 State of the EDC

Ashley Castorena

Mar 2, 2026

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky's Economic Development Collaborative unveiled its 2025 annual report at the 2026 State of the EDC on Feb. 26, gathering faculty, staff, students, external partners and stakeholders at the UK Cornerstone Esports Theatre to reflect on the past year and chart a course for the collaborative's future.

Map of kentucky with OneUK partner logos placed on the map: Fidelity Investments, Fischer Homes, Bullard, Catalent, Lockheed Martin, Turner Construction, Valvoline Global and Appalachian Regional Health Care

OneUK releases 2025 annual report

Ashley Castorena

Feb 25, 2026

OneUK, a strategic collaboration between the University of Kentucky and leading community businesses, has released its second annual report, offering an in-depth look at the program's mission, impact and future goals. The full report, available online, highlights the accomplishments of OneUK's second year, building on the foundation established by its inaugural cohort of partners: Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Fischer Homes and Valvoline Global. The report also spotlights the program's second cohort of partners: Bullard, Catalent and Fidelity Investments.

Fayette Alliance hosts student gallery on vacant land reuse in Lexington

Morgan Fields

Dec 22, 2025

Community Innovation Partner, Fayette Alliance hosted a gallery reception on Friday, Dec. 5, as part of Reimagine Lexington, a project that asks University of Kentucky students to propose new uses for vacant spaces across the city.

UK, Turner Construction open applications for Construction Business Accelerator Program

Sep 18, 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky, in partnership with Turner Construction, has opened applications for the fifth cohort of its Construction Business Accelerator, a 12-week program aimed at strengthening local construction-related businesses.

Graphic Announcing that Fayette Alliance is the 2025-26 Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner

UK announces Fayette Alliance as 2025-26 Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner

Ashley Castorena

Aug 28, 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 28, 2025) — The University of Kentucky is pleased to announce Fayette Alliance as its next Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner (CIP) for the 2025-26 academic year. Fayette Alliance will maintain an ongoing presence at The Cornerstone, advancing community engagement with students, faculty and staff and deepening the connection between the university and the wider Lexington community. The CIP program is part of UK's Economic Development Collaborative.

UK’s Growing Our Own Initiative Hosts Training for Businesses on Maintenance, Repair, and Operations Proposal

Ashley Castorena

Aug 20, 2025

The University of Kentucky, through its Growing Our Own initiative, is inviting small businesses to participate in a hands-on training session designed to demystify the process of doing business with the university.

Photo of a crane at a University of Kentucky construction site

UK, Walsh Construction, Goodwill Kentucky launch Pre-Apprenticeship Program Aug. 1

Ashley Castorena

Jul 28, 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2025) — The University of Kentucky, in partnership with Walsh Construction and Goodwill Kentucky, is launching a new Pre-Apprenticeship Program on Aug. 1. The initiative, tied to the construction of the UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building, is designed to introduce participants to careers in the skilled trades through an eight-week, hands-on learning experience.

A picture of the front of the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Building

UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering to Host SEC Leadership Meeting Focused on Economic Development

Jul 14, 2025

The University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering will host the annual Southeastern Conference (SEC) Engineering Leadership Meeting on campus July 21–23. This year’s meeting will focus on the role of colleges of engineering in advancing economic and workforce development across the Southeast. Members of the university community are invited to attend the open portion of the program, which will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 22, in the Harris Ballroom at the Gatton Student Center. No registration is required.

Photo of the fourth cohort of the University of Kentucky Construction Business Accelerator

Celebrating the Fourth Cohort of the Construction Business Accelerator

May 23, 2025

On Tuesday, May 13, the University of Kentucky and Turner Construction celebrated the graduation of the fourth cohort of the Construction Business Accelerator (CBA) program. Held at the University of Kentucky College of Design’s new Gray Design Building, the ceremony marked a significant milestone: with this cohort, 65 individuals have now graduated from the program since its launch in 2022.

First ‘Growing Our Own’ workshop highlights how to work with UK

Ashley Castorena

Apr 18, 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2025) — The "Growing Our Own" workshop series launched April 17 with its first session, “How to do Business with UK,” held at Commerce Lexington and streamed online. The event, designed to empower Kentucky-owned businesses, offered participants insights into accessing contracting opportunities at the University of Kentucky.

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