The increasing use of technology has played a pivotal role in the company’s success.

Stidham’s most recent challenge was to reduce finishing time so the company can complete contracts faster and take on new work. The purchase of a CEFLA flatline finishing machine will accomplish that goal by improving the finishing department’s precision, quality and time.

Two organizations with the mission to help small businesses grow in Kentucky partnered to fund this investment.

The first was University of Louisville’s Catalyst Equipment Match (CEM) program, which provided a grant for the purchase. This program provides up to a 50 percent match for investments in capital equipment and next-generation technologies.

“It’s making all the difference,” Stidham said. “We have been looking to upgrade this process for years but didn’t have the money to make this big move all at once.”

“T��� was developed to help small and mid-sized Kentucky manufacturers offset just enough of costs to allow for growth and expansion,” said Scott Broughton, executive director of Kentucky MEP. “Stidham Cabinets was a perfect example of the type of company CEM was meant for. They needed help and we were delighted to have them in the program.”

Stidham says the MEP grant has been invaluable to his small business and its growth.

“It’s been a real game changer,” Stidham said. “With the grant, we are comfortable with the balance of debt and payments.”

The family chose to work with regional nonprofit business lender Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) to fund the equipment purchase.

Stidham said working with SKED has made a big difference in their bottom line.

“Usually, the interest rate is favorable, the red tape for the loan is much less, and there is usually some helpful advice or information that comes along with the loan,” said Stidham. “They constantly encourage us to grow and do better.”

SKED Director of Lending Bob Burgess said helping the Stidhams purchase this new technology has been rewarding.

“James and his staff are dedicated to excellence in their production,” Burgess said. “This new equipment will enable them to do more work and increase their bottom line. We are pleased to have played a role in seeing that happen.”

Before purchasing the new equipment, the company was finishing their products the same way they had for 50 years.

“With this equipment, we now have the entire finishing process up to the same level as the rest of our plant,” Stidham said, adding that the finishing team can now clean, paint, sand and seal 50 cabinet doors in an hour. Before the recent upgrade, that task took 10 hours of manual labor.

But this new automated equipment won’t cost anyone at Stidham Cabinet their job.

“We’ve bought new equipment over the years to help meet customer demand,” Stidham said. “This new automation won’t take anyone’s job; it just allows us to move people around and take on more work orders.”

Funding for the project, dubbed Advancing Manufacturing and Building Construction Technologies (NSF AMT), comes via an NSF Engines Development award through the NSF Regional Innovation Engines program, setting them up to pursue an NSF Engine award of up to $160 million – the largest award ever offered by the NSF. AMT is led by the , and core partners include UofL, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and trade organizations, such as ASTRO America.

“When Kentucky’s businesses are able to leverage groundbreaking innovations from our leading institutions, like the University of Louisville, our entire economy stands to gain,”��said U.S. Senator Mitch��McConnell, who helped secure the funding for the AMT coalition.

Together, the partners will develop a regional plan to improve use of and innovation in additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3-D printing, which can help manufacturers reduce part lead times, material costs, energy usage and waste. Louisville alone more than 2,400 manufacturing firms in areas ranging from food and beverage to automotive, with a total workforce of more than 82,500.��

“By focusing on advancing sustainable additive manufacturing technologies, this project has the potential to support expansion and attract companies and additional high-wage, high-skilled jobs for our commonwealth,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “T���se kinds of initiatives add to the remarkable strides being made by Kentucky’s entrepreneurs, companies and colleges and universities toward building our state’s future economy. Congratulations to the AMT team for securing this award and both demonstrating and improving Kentucky’s competitiveness and capacity for research and innovation.”

As part of NSF AMT, UofL will leverage its top-notch degree and technology badging programs to build a qualified workforce and its research and innovation strength to further technological innovation. This includes connection to the UofL-based (KY-MEP) statewide resource center, along with labs, including the multi-disciplinary . Over the next year, UofL also will host a series of events, workshops and demonstrations to engage businesses and showcase the potential of additive manufacturing.

“T��� innovative research we produce at UofL becomes most meaningful when applied to advancements that improve our community,” said UofL President Kim Schatzel. “We’re proud to continue working with our partners to translate our additive manufacturing knowledge into solutions that revolutionize the way we manufacture everything from medication to computer chips.”

UofL and partners also were recently awarded a $1 million NSF Engines Development grant, dubbed Generate Advanced Manufacturing Excellence for Change (GAME Change), aimed at securing economic competitiveness throughout the Southeastern Commerce Corridor (SCC) of Kentucky and Tennessee, with a focus on next-generation and advanced manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, more durable and sustainable materials and more. NSF Engines Development awards are meant to help applicants prepare for an NSF Engines proposal.��

“UofL is committed to empowering small and medium enterprises in our region with the latest advancements in additive manufacturing,” said Will Metcalf, UofL associate vice president for research and innovation and partner on NSF AMT. “Through our NSF Engines Development award and other efforts, we will engage in training and outreach to help these businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive market.”

Launched by NSF’s new Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and authorized by the “CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,” the NSF Engines program uniquely harnesses the nation’s science and technology research and development enterprise and regional-level resources. NSF Engines aspire to catalyze robust partnerships to positively impact regional economies, accelerate technology development, address societal challenges, advance national competitiveness and create local, high-wage jobs.

“We are eager to continue the work and build upon the partnerships we developed as part of our initial NSF Engines proposal through this�� award,” said KSTC President Terry Samuel. “It is a testament to the importance and potential of both our region and additive manufacturing technologies.”