Smart Growth Meets Student Engagement: Fayette Alliance Joins UK’s Innovation District

University of Kentucky Deepens Civic Ties Through New Cornerstone Partnership

The University of Kentucky has reportedly confirmed that Fayette Alliance will serve as its next Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner (CIP) for the 2025–26 academic year. The announcement stated that the organisation would maintain a continuous presence at The Cornerstone, thereby strengthening engagement between students, faculty, staff and the wider Lexington community. This appointment forms part of the university’s broader Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). According to university sources, Fayette Alliance was selected following a competitive nomination and review process. Organisations were assessed on their capacity to deliver community-focused programming, alignment with the UK’s strategic priorities, and demonstrable impact in civic engagement and land-use advocacy. Although details of other shortlisted candidates remain undisclosed, it is understood that several regional nonprofits were considered before final selection.

In line with The Cornerstone’s mission to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and civic connection, this partnership is expected to facilitate collaborative activities between the university and local stakeholders. Moreover, the EDC has outlined a set of impact metrics to evaluate the success of the partnership, including student participation rates, the number of workshops delivered, and the extent of policy influence achieved through joint initiatives. These outcomes will be monitored using the Collaborative’s established framework for economic engagement. University officials, including Melody Flowers, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development and Real Estate, were quoted as saying that The Cornerstone was conceived as a space for generating ideas and partnerships between the university and the community. The CIP programme, they noted, enables meaningful collaboration with organisations such as Fayette Alliance, which are actively shaping Lexington’s future.

Fayette Alliance is widely recognised for its commitment to smart, sustainable and equitable growth across Lexington-Fayette County. The organisation focuses on land-use policy, education and research, and works closely with local government to promote informed planning and zoning decisions. It also seeks to cultivate a network of civic advocates dedicated to preserving both the urban core and productive rural land. In terms of academic integration, Fayette Alliance’s programming is expected to align with departments such as Urban Planning, Public Policy and Environmental Studies. Opportunities for course credit, internships and collaborative research are currently under discussion, intending to embed real-world learning into the university’s curriculum.

The organisation will utilise The Cornerstone as a base for delivering educational programmes, including Grow Smart Academy, Grow Smart Academy 2.0 and Smart Growth Ambassadors. In addition, new initiatives tailored to the university community, such as office hours, workshops and civic engagement events, are being developed to connect students and staff with local governance and urban planning processes. Ethan Wallace, Fayette Alliance’s Education and Community Engagement Manager, was cited as stating that the university’s commitment to research, education and community development aligns closely with the organisation’s mission. He reportedly emphasised the importance of engaging UK students and staff, who are considered key contributors to Lexington’s responsible and equitable growth.

Community stakeholder involvement will be central to the initiative, with anticipated participation from civic leaders, nonprofits, agricultural representatives and planning officials. Fayette Alliance is said to be establishing mechanisms for public input, including roundtables, feedback sessions and collaborative design workshops. The Cornerstone building itself is described as a gateway to the university’s innovation district. Situated at the intersection of campus and downtown Lexington, the facility has recently undergone infrastructure upgrades to support hybrid learning, digital collaboration and civic programming. It plays a strategic role in the UK’s campus development plan, serving as a hub for innovation and public engagement.

Through this partnership, students are expected to gain exposure to real-world challenges in urban planning, transportation and land-use policy, thereby enhancing their understanding of how such decisions affect quality of life and regional prosperity. Fayette Alliance’s advocacy work is also anticipated to inform local policy discussions, particularly in zoning reform, transit planning and rural land preservation. Plans are underway to publish white papers, host legislative briefings and convene public forums throughout the partnership year. Two sessions of the 2025 Grow Smart Academy have already been scheduled at The Cornerstone, with further programming to include the Transit Advocacy Academy and the Reimagine Lex design contest. Student leadership will be actively encouraged, with roles available in programme facilitation, research support and community outreach. Past participants have reportedly described the experience as transformative, citing increased civic awareness and professional development.

This appointment forms part of the UK's long-term strategy to foster inclusive economic growth across the Commonwealth. Previous CIP partners have continued collaboration beyond their designated term, contributing to sustained community impact and institutional learning. Although specific funding arrangements have not been disclosed, it is believed that the partnership includes shared access to university facilities, staffing support and potential grant opportunities through the EDC and external funders. Finally, university officials have suggested that the Fayette Alliance partnership may serve as a model for regional development efforts elsewhere in Kentucky, with lessons from Lexington-Fayette County informing similar initiatives in other municipalities. Enquiries regarding community programming at The Cornerstone may be directed to Ashley Castorena via email at ashleycastorena@uky.edu.This partnership exemplifies how civic innovation and academic collaboration can jointly shape a more equitable and sustainable future for Kentucky.

Editor’s Note

The University of Kentucky’s recent appointment of Fayette Alliance as its Cornerstone Community Innovation Partner (CIP) for the 2025–26 academic year marks a significant step in advancing civic collaboration and sustainable urban development. This partnership, anchored at The Cornerstone, reflects a growing commitment to bridging academic insight with community-led planning. Fayette Alliance's selection was a deliberate outcome of a competitive nomination process, chosen for its alignment with university goals, program delivery capacity, and civic engagement record. This partnership is results-oriented, with the Economic Development Collaborative outlining clear metrics for accountability and transparency. Fayette Alliance programming will integrate with the UK's Urban Planning, Public Policy, and Environmental Studies departments, offering students real-world, hands-on experience. Community involvement is crucial, with civic leaders, nonprofits, and agricultural stakeholders contributing to ensure diverse voices shape planning outcomes, strengthening local democratic development.

The Cornerstone, a strategic asset located at the edge of the UK's innovation district, has been upgraded to support hybrid learning and civic programming, fostering dialogue and experimentation. Fayette Alliance's advocacy will influence local policy through evidence-based insights in zoning, transport, and land-use planning. Students will gain valuable experience and professional enrichment by contributing to Fayette Alliance's programs through leadership opportunities in facilitation, research, and outreach. This partnership aligns with the UK’s strategy for inclusive economic growth in Kentucky, building on past CIP successes that fostered lasting relationships. While funding specifics are limited, the collaboration includes university resources and potential grant support. This initiative, relevant beyond Lexington-Fayette County, offers a replicable model for other municipalities, solidifying the university's role in regional development.

Skoobuzz notes that this partnership is thoughtfully constructed, uniting education, advocacy, and civic leadership to foster a more equitable and sustainable future.