– Photo courtesy of LCSC
Lebanon Community School Corporation announced that Lilly has awarded the school with a $10,000 STEM grant as an investment into the students and the program as the LEAP Technology Park is expected to move into Boone County in the near future.
Last April, Lilly announced that the $3.7 billion LEAP project investment would be developed into two new manufacturing facilities in Boone County, and the sites are expected to bring 700 jobs to Hoosiers in areas such as production operations, lab support and engineering.
As a means of investing further into the students of Boone County, Lilly announced that a $10,000 STEM grant award would be given to the Lebanon Community School Corporation to reaffirm its commitment to the project by enhancing the opportunities for local students to develop skills sought after by the company. Superintendent Dr. Jon Milleman stated that the funds will be utilized to further develop the corporation’s focus on hands-on learning activities.
“We are extremely grateful for the investment Lilly is making in our students and program,” Milleman said. “These funds will provide our students with exciting, hands-on learning activities. STEM education is not just science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education is about creative problem solving through investigation and collaboration – the skills that will benefit our students no matter their career choices.”
Lilly’s investment in Boone County shares a common thread with local elected officials focused on improving the state for residents, communities and businesses by helping to increase demand for STEM careers in Central Indiana. Senator Brian Buchanan, who represents portions of Boone County, elaborated on the initiative.
“I am thrilled to see Lilly supporting important Boone County initiatives like this one,” Buchanan said. “Lebanon Community School Corporation’s STEM programming will prepare students for science- and technology-related careers and help them develop vital skills for future success.”
Lilly’s Associate Vice-President for Manufacturing Jennifer Massey echoed the statements by Milleman and Buchanan as she focused on the award and the impact Lilly aspires to create for the availability of STEM education in the area.
“This award highlights our commitment to building partnerships and supporting opportunities in Boone County that invest in and increase access to STEM education to help build a diverse and highly skilled future talent pipeline,” Massey said.
Lilly’s presence within LEAP Innovation Park in Boone County represents the largest manufacturing investment at a single location in the company’s history.