IU Kokomo to dedicate Innovation Hall September 10

KOKOMO, Ind. - A dynamic space designed to give students hands-on experience as innovators, help them grow as global citizens, apply the business skills they've learned in the classroom, and compete with gamers around the world debuts this month at Indiana University Kokomo.

The campus will formally dedicate the new Innovation Hall with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, followed by an open house until 3 p.m.

Innovation Hall was funded in part by a $1.5 million grant from the first round of funding from the Indiana READI program and matching funds from Indiana University. Located in the west wing of the Kelley Student Center (2300 S. Washington St.), it includes a new multicultural center, a media lab/eSports arena, a technology studio, dedicated space for the KEY Center for Innovation, and a business analytics lab, as well as professional offices and other training and gathering spaces for students.

"Innovation Hall promises to take IU Kokomo to the next level," explained Chancellor Mark Canada. "The learning spaces here cater to what IU Kokomo does best: experiential learning, not only for our students, but also for community members."

Innovation Hall is one of the projects funded through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). Launched by Gov. Holcomb and led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, READI 2.0 continues to build on the framework and successes of the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative and the 21st Century Talent Initiative, encouraging regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that, when implemented, will attract and retain talent in Indiana. Building on the success of READI 1.0, which allocated $487 million to projects, the $500 million READI fund, part of the 2023 Next Level Agenda and approved by the Indiana General Assembly, continues this mission.

"This project is exactly what READI set out to do-to provide funding to projects that will prove transformational to communities and assist them in becoming places where Hoosiers can learn, play and live," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg.

The grand opening of Innovation Hall is open to the public. RSVPs are requested, but not required, and can be submitted here.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.