MCDANIEL OPENS LIFESCIKY LAB AT ONENKY CENTER, WARNS PROGRESS DEPENDS ON FREE EXPRESSION AND COMPETITION OF IDEA
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2025) – Senate Budget Chair Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, today joined community and business leaders in celebrating the opening of the Life Sciences Lab at the OneNKY Center. This milestone strengthens Northern Kentucky’s growing role in the life sciences economy.
The $26 million, 47,000-square-foot center sits at the foot of the Roebling Bridge in downtown Covington and brings together Northern Kentucky’s leading growth organizations under one roof. The second floor, dedicated to LifeSciKY, houses the state’s first life sciences laboratory and startup incubator. The project was years in the making. Financing that included a $15 million state grant secured in the 2022 budget, backed in large part by McDaniel, the City of Covington, and regional life sciences companies. Additional support came from philanthropic donors and an $8.7 million credit enhancement approved by the Kenton County Fiscal Court.
In his remarks, McDaniel discussed the collaboration of regional leaders, private partners, and institutions that made the project possible. He credited organizations like LifeSciKY, the OneNKY Alliance, BE NKY Growth Partnership, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Gravity Diagnostics, CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services, and Northern Kentucky University’s Institute for Health Innovation, as well as the advocacy of former Mayor Joe Meyer and support from the General Assembly.
“It is truly an honor to stand here and know that I have been privileged to play a small part in making this day happen. I certainly would never have been afforded that opportunity without the giants that laid the groundwork and then did the hard work to bring this day to fruition,” McDaniel said.
He pointed to scientific history as a reminder of how debate and competition drive progress.
“As we have seen, even in the past decade, science does not remain without controversy and debate,” he said. “Controversy and debate are nothing new, and they are good. The history of science is the history of debate, competition, and free speech.”
McDaniel then drew a sharp contrast between societies that embrace dialogue and those that reject it.
“This week has shown us some of the darkest places in humanity where the idea of debate, free expression, and intellectual curiosity are not respected,” he said. “Those who would behave in such a manner behave contrary to the current of history and contrary to the course of human progress.”
He closed by framing the project as a testament to what Kentucky can achieve by choosing openness and cooperation.
“Today represents a rejection of the view that the world is best without open debate and dialogue,” he said. “Today represents what can be done when a region comes together with every type of resource to enhance the level of competition. Today represents what can be done when, in a spirit of cooperation, a community comes together to advance the causes of science and free enterprise. Congratulations to you all, and let’s make history right here in Northern Kentucky.”
The new LifeSciKY lab represents a key investment in Kentucky’s biotechnology sector. It is designed to build long-term, high-value partnerships with industry leaders, including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Project MedTech, Prendio, and Elemental Machines. Leaders say the center will be a net benefit for Northern Kentucky and the commonwealth as a whole, positioning the region as a hub for innovation.
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Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue and the 2026–2028 Budget Preparation and Submission Statutory Committee. As Senate budget chair, he also serves in an ex officio capacity on all seven budget review subcommittees: Health and Family Services; Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection; Education; General Government, Finance, Personnel, and Public Retirement; Justice and Judiciary; and Transportation. Additionally, he serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations; Local Government; and State Government, and is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board.