Shawnee State University’s Kricker Innovation Hub opens in Portsmouth, Ohio

A new flagship facility for inspiring creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship recently opened in downtown Portsmouth, Ohio. The Kricker Innovation Hub, part of Shawnee State University, is now open and will be serving the southern Ohio region.

The project has been completed largely thanks to the support of Jim Kricker, the State of Ohio, and a large investment from the Economic Department Administration.

In an article from the Highland County Press, Shawnee State University’s President Jeff Bauer talked about the new Innovation Hub, saying, “The Kricker Innovation Hub is sitting at the junction of downtown Portsmouth and Shawnee State University. It’s part of a much larger plan where we see the campus, the university, the community, the business and economic development, all being closely tied together. We can help each other, but more so than that, our futures are all based on our ability to work together to partner and to bring development to southern Ohio.”

The Kricker Innovation Hub is part of Shawnee State University’s revitalization effort and plan for an Arts & Innovation District in the area. The Innovation Hub is in a 129-year-old building on Chillicothe Street in Portsmouth and is a $4 million investment for the university. The facility is 27,000 square feet and was renovated starting back in 2020. The Kricker Innovation Hub is the first project of its kind for Shawnee State University.

The Vice President for Advancement and Enrollment Management at Shawnee State University, Eric Brauwn, talked about future plans for the Hub, saying, “This is just the beginning of the Kricker Innovation Hub. This is the building, but we’re at the beginning of building a network of talent to really open up the doors for opportunity for southern Ohio. Ultimately, we will be leveraging the assets of the community and the university to nurture talent and keep the best and brightest within our region, which really puts us in a unique position within the state of Ohio.”

During the construction of the Kricker Innovation Hub, the facility’s team has kept on with programming that will be held there, such as Startup Weekend Portsmouth and the Ignite Portsmouth Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. The team has also served as the hosts for the yearly Glockner Dare to Dream High School Business Pitch Competition.

Shawnee State University’s Kricker Innovation Hub Director David Kilroy talked about the team’s work during the facility’s renovation, and its plans for the future: “During the renovation and COVID-19 pandemic, we kept building our capacity, our programs, and our vision for the Kricker Innovation Hub. Over the next five years, our network of regional partners will continue with us on a journey to reinvest and reshape the region while fulfilling the promise of our mission,” said Kilroy.

The community has rallied behind the Hub with partnerships forming with organizations like the ECDI Women’s Business Center of Central Appalachia, the Appalachian Investor’s Alliance, TechGrowth Ohio, and the Tri-State Angel Investment Group. With these partnerships, the Kricker Innovation Hub has the resources to build up its programs and offer more opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in the future.

Mike Thompson, Treasurer of the Tri-State Angel Investment Group, talked about the reason for partnering with Shawnee State, saying, “Shawnee State, the Kricker Innovation Hub and the Tri State Angel Investment Group share the common goal of growing the local economy through education and entrepreneurship. As Helen Keller said – ‘alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’”  

At the Kricker Innovation Hub’s Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, the benefits of the school and its community partners will be working toward providing to the community - particularly entrepreneurs -  were discussed. Jane New, who is the Director of TechGrowth Ohio, said, “This is more than just a grand opening. This is hope and promise of the entire region. Collaboration is key to innovation, and TechGrowth is excited to be a part of this forward-looking partnership with SSU and Kricker Innovation Hub to foster growth and progress in Southeastern Ohio.” 

The facility is open to the campus community as well as those from the surrounding region. The resources at the Kricker Innovation Hub are there for those with business ideas and mentors and experts in the area who want to help develop those ideas. 

Jeremy Turner, Business Development Officer and Entrepreneurship Project Manager at the Appalachian Investors Alliance, talked about the alliance’s partnership with the Hub: "The Appalachian Investors Alliance is thrilled to continue our meaningful collaboration with SSU and the Kricker Innovation Hub. AIA recognizes the Hub and its value in enriching the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Turner.

A recent announcement of more funding from the Economic Department Administration’s Build-to-Scale program will allow the Hub and Shawnee State to create a new Digital and Immersive Technology Accelerator program that will further help the next generation of entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators in Portsmouth, Ohio.

More information about the Kricker Innovation Hub at Shawnee State University can be found at its website.