Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

This next National Entrepreneurship Month spotlight comes from Owingsville, KY! BlackBox Energy Systems is a small business that manufactures and designs variable frequency drive (VFD) motors with built-in vibration and temperature monitoring. Using environmentally safe and socially conscious materials and best-in-class manufacturing processes, their motors have a smaller and lasting positive impact on the environment. They have also used KY Innovation programs such as SBIR/STTR to help their business become more successful as well as won the Startup of The Year at the 2024 Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR) Gala! 👏 🔗: https://lnkd.in/eVQGhjyi #TeamKentucky #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #SupportLocalBusiness #Manufacturing

Check out our State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Director, Mary NeCamp's interview with LEX 18 about the STEP program, how it can benefit your business, and Kentucky's record-breaking year with exports in 2023 totaling $40.2 billion, a 16.6% increase over the previous year! 🤝 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dyiQmYYM #TeamKentucky #SmallBusiness #Exports #RecordBreaking #EconomicDevelopment

Louisville remains atop Site Selection Magazine's Ohio River Corridor rankings for the second year in a row! Bourbon City and the region outperformed all metros along the Ohio River in both total capital investment and number of new jobs generated, besting both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. 🏆 ⚜ Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEaKTW8P. CC: Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, LG&E and KU Energy LLC, Louisville Water Company, Greater Louisville Inc., One Southern Indiana Chamber & Economic Development #economicdevelopment #econdev #siteselection #Louisville #LouisvilleKY #newjobs #capitalinvestment

This business located in Louisville, KY is serving up sustainable cleaning products in the Restaurant Industry this National Entrepreneurship Month! 🍟 FreshFry makes plant-based pods that clean cooking oil for restaurants, keeping food quality high and operations safe. What stemmed from Jeremiah Chapman, Co-Founder & CEO, when his grandmother used potatoes to clean cooking oil developed a passion for sustainable practices in the Food Industry. Both Jeremiah and Jacob Huff, Co-Founder & COO, graduated from the University of Louisville with Engineering degrees. FreshFry has used the Kentucky State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a CED program and partnership between CED and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as KSBCI-DI and Angel programs to grow their success! 👏 🔗: https://freshfry.me/ #TeamKentucky #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #SupportLocalBusiness #FoodIndustry | KY Innovation

Whether you are an existing business in Kentucky with an opportunity to expand or a company evaluating our state for a new business location, you must be able to access accurate and timely information from a single source. The Cabinet’s Department for Business Development staff is that source. With years of experience in economic development, any member of our highly qualified team can be your single point of contact for the duration of the site selection/expansion process! 🤝 🔗: https://lnkd.in/etgryXYK

This National Entrepreneurship Month, we're showcasing a business where their success is hot off the press! 🖨️ Sparks Company dba Complet3D is a small business owned by Eric and Cindy Sparks, and their business partner is April Spellman. Located in Lexington, KY, they started in 2023 making 3D printing more accessible for everyone by removing barriers, facilitating solutions, collaborating with educators to fund and create comprehensive training to grow workforce skills, and ensuring a positive experience. On their journey thus far, they have been able to help 10,000 students with their access to STEM! 🙌 Using the Kentucky State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a CED program and partnership between CED and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), they have been able to find international buyers for their custom products in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. They were also the first place winners in the StartUP Appalachia Pitch Competition in 2024! 🔗: https://www.complet3d.com/ #TeamKentucky #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #SupportLocalBusiness #3DPrinting #Education #Healthcare #Dental #Manufacturing | KY Innovation, Locate in Lexington KY

Kentucky is transforming everyday, just like the Autumn leaves. This Fall, let's embrace exciting opportunities, support local businesses, and work together to drive economic growth in the commonwealth! 🍂 #TeamKentucky #EconomicGrowth #MotivationalMonday #ShopLocal

Happy Scented Candle Day! We're shining a light on success with The Candleberry Candle Company in Frankfort, KY! 🕯️ Since 1997, this family-owned business has spent nearly 30 years perfecting the art of candle-making. With a passion for quality, exceptional customer service, and creative new scents, every candle they craft tells a unique story. Their commitment to innovation and community remains at the heart of everything they do, bringing joy, warmth, and wonderful aromas to every home! 👪 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e2kGaQjv #TeamKentucky #Candles #KentuckyProud #FamilyOwned

An Upcoming Startup Breakfast x Invest Blue guest entrepreneur: Amanda Ralston, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA with NonBinary Solutions! Amanda "Mandy" Ralston is serial founder, an award-winning entrepreneur, and international thought-leader, and 25-year veteran practitioner and subject matter expert in behavior analysis and autism. Her most recent venture is NonBinary Solutions – creator of Knowetic.ai, a Clinical Decision CoPilot Software for constituents of neurodiversity. Her behavior continues to be shaped by its impact on a world where autism exists, and the field of behavior analysis. To check out demos by Mandy and other talented entrepreneurs, register to attend on November 6th 8-10am at DV8 Kitchen East End with the link below: https://lnkd.in/gabR9MQQ Launch Blue, UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky, KY Innovation, Kentucky Science & Engineering Foundation, Eric Hartman, Raechele Smalls, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, Keyhorse Capital, Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation (KSTC)

Happy World Vegan Day! 🌍 Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Louisville Vegan Jerky, a family-owned gem in Louisville, KY. Founded in 2012 by Stanley Chase III, what started as a happy accident by overcooking a vegan manapua recipe, has grown into a thriving small business known for its flavorful vegan jerky. Beyond tasty snacks, they’re making a difference in their community by proudly sponsoring Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, which helps create life-changing mentoring relationships for kids facing adversity. With support from KY Innovation programs like STEP, KSBCI-DI, and Angel, they’ve been able to take their business to the next level. Here’s to good food, great causes, and inspiring innovation in the commonwealth this National Entrepreneurship Month! 👏 🔗: https://www.lvjco.com/ #TeamKentucky #WorldVeganDay #SupportSmallBusiness #VeganJerky #FoodIndustry #SmallBusiness #FamilyOwned #NationalEntrepreneurshipMonth