Murray State University partners with the Kentucky APEX Accelerator to add a regional office location in western Kentucky
By MSU Public Relations | Jul 7, 2026
New location is one of 11 offices statewide and further strengthens program access for clients across western Kentucky
MURRAY, Ky. — The Kentucky APEX Accelerator announced that it has finalized an agreement with Murray State University to establish a campus-based office in Murray, Kentucky, expanding its statewide footprint and increasing access to government contracting resources across western Kentucky.
The Kentucky APEX Accelerator, an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, provides no-cost, confidential assistance to Kentucky companies pursuing federal, state and local government contracts and subcontracts.
Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator is part of a national network of APEX Accelerators focused on advancing economic development and private sector growth. Services include contracting readiness, compliance guidance, business certifications, registrations and market research to identify business opportunities.
With the addition of the Murray office, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator’s procurement consultants now serve all 120 Kentucky counties via 11 total locations across the state, including Ashland, Bowling Green, Covington, Lexington, London, Louisville, Paducah, Pikeville, Elizabethtown and Somerset.
While many client engagements occur virtually, these physical locations provide secure, accessible meeting spaces where procurement consultants can work directly with businesses and regional partners. Business appointments at the Murray State location will be managed by regional procurement consultant Reigh Kemp, who serves businesses across many western Kentucky counties.
PROGRAM DELIVERY & REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT
As part of this partnership, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator will deliver targeted outreach and engagement activities in coordination with Murray State during 2026–2027. These efforts will include educational workshops, networking opportunities and government contracting readiness programming in partnership with Murray State’s Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development.
“This partnership creates a direct pathway for businesses in western Kentucky to access federal contracting opportunities and the support needed to compete. The Kentucky APEX Accelerator is an important addition to the service and work of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development within the Murray State University Bauernfeind College of Business,” said Chris Wooldridge, director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development at Murray State. “By bringing the Kentucky APEX Accelerator to campus, we are strengthening our region’s ability to grow, innovate and participate in the government marketplace.”
In addition, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator will provide no-cost, one-on-one business support services to the Murray State Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development affiliated entrepreneurs and regional companies, including counseling, resource navigation and technical assistance. All services are delivered in alignment with federal compliance standards and are designed to ensure open, equitable access to government contracting opportunities.
“This type of partnership that our program shares with Murray State University is essential to our ability to increase reach and provide equitable access to our services from corner to corner of the commonwealth,” said the Kentucky APEX Accelerator Executive Director Nancy Brown. “It allows us to share resources in a creative and responsible way that further strengthens our visibility to businesses in a region brimming with government contracting and subcontracting opportunities through the university, Fort Campbell, the U.S. Department of Energy and other agencies.”
PROGRAM IMPACT
This year, the Kentucky APEX Accelerator marks 10 years of helping make government contracting easier for Kentucky businesses. The nationally recognized program has helped thousands of companies strengthen capabilities, expand into new markets and compete successfully for contracts, contributing to more than $3.8 billion in economic impact statewide.
To learn more, visit kyapex.com.
ABOUT MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY
Murray State University is a regional public university located in Murray, Kentucky, with regional campuses in Ft. Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah. Recognized as one of America’s best college values, Murray State has been noted nationally by publications such as U.S. News and World Report, Washington Monthly and the Wall Street Journal. Learn more at murraystate.edu.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY APEX ACCELERATOR
An initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), the Kentucky APEX Accelerator promotes economic development and private sector business growth by providing free assistance to companies interested in providing products or services to federal, state and local governments and large primes, which annually offer billions of dollars in contracts to private sector companies. This procurement technical assistance center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. Learn more at kyapex.com.
ABOUT KENTUCKY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) is a private, statewide nonprofit championing innovation in knowledge, talent and investment to accelerate Kentucky’s economic growth and competitiveness and secure a better future for all Kentuckians. By strengthening research and knowledge transfer, cultivating an innovation-ready workforce, and supporting strategic investment in Kentucky businesses, KSTC helps launch, scale and grow the ideas and companies that power the state’s economy. Learn more at kstc.com.