Advancing Circular Economy Technologies
for Supply Chain Resilience
Connecting Kentucky and Tennessee into a national hub for circular economy innovation through supply chain resilience, talent development and industry collaboration.
GAME Change is building America’s first regional innovation hub for circular manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
Rooted in Kentucky and Tennessee, we are transforming the way manufacturing and supply chains work by turning materials waste into economic opportunity, creating quality jobs and advancing regional resilience.
More than 60 partners from research, industry, government and communities are aligned around a single mission:
Build the Southeast Commerce Corridor (SCC) into a global leader in circular innovation by 2035.
Our work is focused on enabling materials recovery, digital supply chain connectivity and the infrastructure needed to scale circular technologies and talent.
THIS IS NOT A PROJECT. IT'S A MOVEMENT.
And this region is ready.
Our R&D Focus Areas:
At GAME Change, we are building a national circular economy innovation engine with a clear focus on enabling technologies and priority sectors. Our efforts are concentrated in two critical domains:
Built to Grow. Ready to Adapt.
Kentucky and Tennessee have experienced record manufacturing growth, driven by a 40.4% increase in manufacturing outputs from 2010 to 2020. As the region grows, it must navigate several key challenges:
Fragile Supply Chains
Limited resilience in domestic production and distribution networks
Industrial Waste Management
Few scalable options for handling and repurposing materials
Material Independence
Region lags in industry R&D
Technology Scaling Infrastructure
Lack of infrastructure for commercializing circular manufacturing technologies
Workforce Shortages
Gaps in skilled labor across the manufacturing sector
Strategic innovation, regional collaboration and sustainable investment are essential to tackling these challenges and securing long-term success.
Our Strategic Approach: GAME Change for the Southeast Commerce Corridor (SCC)
To address the pressing challenges facing Kentucky and Tennessee, ranging from materials waste and supply chain gaps to workforce shortages and lack of circular technology scaling infrastructure, we’ve launched a bold, region-wide strategy: GAME Change.
This strategy is built around three pillars:
Clear Priorities
Focusing on workforce development, supply chain resilience and circular economy innovations.
Measurable Outcomes
Driving real results, including reductions in manufacturing waste, new startups and expanded R&D investment.
Targeted Programs
Delivering impact through new centers, digital platforms, venture studios and collaborative ventures.
Game Change Leadership Team
Project Director
Ian McClure, J.D., LL.M., University of Kentucky
Talent & Workforce Development
Dr. Kris Williams, KCTCS
Innovation Leadership
Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Use-Inspired Research & Development
Dr. Doug Adams, Vanderbilt University
IDEA Engine
Kayla Meisner, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures
Ecosystem of Partners & Industry
Marc Gibson, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Innovation Translation to Practice
Robert Turner, Tennessee State University
Scale Centers & Vendor Studios
Will Metcalf, University of Louisville
Evaluation & Assessment
Dr. Shannon Sampson, University of Kentucky
Speed to Market
Vijay Kamenini, Metals Innovation Initiative
Core Partners
KENTUCKY
- University of Kentucky (lead organization)
- Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
- University of Louisville
- Western Kentucky University
TENNESSEE
- Launch Tennessee
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
- Tennessee State University
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Vanderbilt University
Research reported on this website was supported by the National Science Foundation under Award #2302947. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
