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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 22, 2022) — Two University of Kentucky economic development initiatives have been chosen as finalists for the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Awards of Excellence. The initiatives were selected as finalists “for representing the top university-based economic development initiatives in the country, as judged by their peers.”

The Economic Development Collaborative has been chosen as a finalist in the Engaged University category and the Supplier Diversity Program has been chosen as a finalist in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) category.

The winners will be announced during the UEDA conference hosted in San Antonio this October.

“UEDA is a great organization, and it is an honor to be selected as an Awards of Excellence finalist,” said George Ward, Chair of the UK Economic Development Collaborative. “I’m looking forward to sharing the great progress being made by UK’s Economic Development Collaborative with an audience of peers from other universities.”

The finalists include other leading initiatives from across North America that have done significant work in the categories of Engaged University and DEI as well as UEDA’s other areas of economic development: talent, innovation and place.

"Supplier Diversity levels the playing field for diverse businesses by intentionally giving additional resources where they are needed most,” said Marilyn Clark, the Supplier Diversity Manager. "I look at all our processes and systems through a lens of inclusion.  What do I need to do to make opportunities more accessible to businesses that may not have exposure to the University of Kentucky?  UK is a large organization and can be difficult to navigate.  I want to reduce those barriers to access.  The classes, programs and events are designed to ensure all potential suppliers have what they need to be successful.”

About the Economic Development Collaborative

The University of Kentucky Economic Development Collaborative (EDC) is a network of campus and community stakeholders who oversee UK’s economic development and business engagement activities. The mission of the EDC is to proactively grow economic prosperity in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the areas of talent, innovation, place, partnership, and equitable economic development.

UK contributes to the growth of economic development in several areas. This network was formed to coordinate and act as an advisory board to six economic development engagement areas. UK is a powerful economic engine for Kentucky. We educate and empower the next generation of citizens, provide research that influences community and policy development and collaborate with economic partners — all of which strengthen and shape a new future for both Lexington and the Commonwealth.

About The Supplier Diversity Program

The Supplier Diversity Program enables the University of Kentucky to serve as an advocate for diverse businesses in their efforts to conduct business.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises consist of minority, women, disabled, veteran and disabled veteran-owned business firms that are at least fifty-one percent owned and operated by an individual(s) of the aforementioned categories. Also included in this category are disabled business enterprises and non-profit work centers for the blind and severely disabled.

 

See the other finalists here on the UEDA announcement: https://universityeda.org/knowledge-network/awards-of-excellence/2022-finalists