David receiving recognition at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Kricker Innovation Hub after the grant was awarded.

November 11, 2018 | Second term AmeriCorps VISTA, David Kilroy, received the honor of helping cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Kricker Innovation Hub at the Shawnee State University. The Innovation Hub will allow substantial growth to the city of Portsmouth and the surrounding community in the areas of technological literacy, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. David played a vital role in the opening of the Innovation Hub by engaging community members to identify the area's needs, developing a strategic plan, and creating a list of clients that will utilize this space. 

David’s project sponsor, LIGHTS Ohio, is a subsidiary of the LIGHTS Regional Innovation Network. This program catalyzes the creation of companies to create high-wage jobs, and attract greater private investment in the coal-impacted regions of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

At the opening ceremony, the Economic Development Administration awarded a 2.78 million dollar grant towards the renovation of the Kricker Innovation Hub building. David played a leadership role in applying for this grant and was ecstatic when the grant was awarded.  David was also recently elected to be the Vice President of Education for his local Toastmaster club where he helps develop educational curriculum for the community on numerous topics.