Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 154.12-310 – Kentucky Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub Program hubs -- Organization powers and duties of executive director of Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. (Effective July 15, 2026)

(1) The program hubs are private-public partnerships, operating as a cohesive statewide infrastructure to support the implementation of key Kentucky Innovation Act initiatives.
(2) The organization of the hubs shall be a statewide network, with the location and services provided for each hub determined by the executive director in accordance with the following:
1. (a) The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation shall be the central headquarters for the program hubs and has primary responsibility for the following: 1. Managing and administering the program; 2. Establishing uniform program application, protocol, and operating guidelines when appropriate; Supporting the protocol by creating and funding centralized services to be distributed throughout the network; and Identifying those issues, opportunities, and challenges that have statewide implications; 3. 4.
2. (b) The hubs are responsible for fulfilling the duties as set forth in KRS 154.12- 305 relating to the implementation of the region's innovation strategic plan and supporting the implementation of the Kentucky Innovation Act initiatives in the region or subregion; and
3. (c) The hubs are responsible for generating technology business development in their assigned geographic area, acting as a bridge between individuals and companies needing critical early state concept and development work and the hubs that can provide this support. The hubs provide a valuable assurance for equal access to the Kentucky Innovation Act initiatives and funding, and provide an opportunity for full participation in rural and remote, as well as metropolitan, areas of the state.
(3) The executive director shall have all the powers and authority, not explicitly prohibited by statute, necessary and convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes of KRS 154.12-300 to 154.12-310.
(4) The executive director may, in effectuating the provisions of KRS 154.12-300 to 154.12-310, contract with a science and technology organization as defined in KRS 164.6011 to administer and manage the program.

Effective: July 15, 2026

History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 114, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 75, sec. 14, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 185, sec. 107, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 199, sec. 17, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 98, sec. 9, effective July 15, 2008. -- Created 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 230, sec. 11, effective July 15, 2002.