Owensboro Economic Development Blog

Kentucky Unbridled Future: New State Economic Plan aligns well with Owensboro Stategy

2012-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

I attended the unveiling of the Cabinet for Economic Development's "Kentucky Unbridled Future" economic development strategic plan yesterday in Frankfort.

Overall the plan, presented by Boyette Strategic Advisors, is very well done. The plan lines up really well with many of the initiatives that are being implemented currently in the Greater Owensboro region. For example, there is a significant emphasis on growing the entrepreneurial climate in the Commonwealth as well as creating strategies for existing companies, especially Second Stage firms, the tools they need to grow.

With budget cuts looming, the big unanswered question in the room is how much money will be available to insure that the Cabinet, which has faced significant budget cuts over the past few years, can effectively implement the aggressive recommendations.

The plan can be viewed at http://www.kentuckysunbridledfuture.com/

Facts about Interstate 67 as Owensboro's interstate

2012-01-13T12:55:00.000-08:00

The new Interstate 67 Corridor is perhaps one of the most important and exciting opportunities for the Greater Owensboro region. I-67 is a top priority of the City of Owensboro, Daviess County Fiscal Court, Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp and Chamber of Commerce. These organizations will be working closely with the Interstate 67 Development Corporation and leadership in Spencer, Dubois, and Daviess counties in southern Indiana to make I-67 a reality.

The following are some key points about I-67:

North-south interstate link between Indianapolis and Nashville, TN that will pass through Owensboro, Kentucky.
I-67 uses mostly existing corridors from I-69 at Indianapolis and the Natcher Parkway to I-65 near Bowling Green, KY
One major Greenfield section remains, 38 miles of US 231 from I-64 to I-69 in Dubois and Daviess counties in Indiana
I-67 would use the underutilized Natcher Bridge to Kentucky near Owensboro as well as the existing Natcher Parkway and Owensboro By-Pass Extension to connect with I-65 in Bowling Green.
I-67 would leverage investments in I-69 in southern Indiana and around Indianapolis.
I-67 would leverage the recently completed US 231 corridor in Spencer County, Indiana. Funding would be used to upgrade and eliminate existing grade intersections.
I-67 would provide a less congested route from Nashville to Indianapolis avoiding the delays on I-65 through Louisville.

The view a map of the Interstate 67 corridor, please visit: http://edc.owensboro.com/_documents/owensborointerstateflyer_final.pdf

Owensboro -Daviess County one step closer to Work Ready designation

2012-01-12T11:36:00.001-08:00

The Work Ready Review Panel gave the Daviess County Work Ready application a favorable recommendation to the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (K-WIB) for certification as a Work Ready Community.

Community representatives, including Judge Executive Al Mattingly, Co-Chair Helen Mountjoy and EDC president Nick Brake made a presentation to the panel yesterday. The presentation was supported by representatives from the education, workforce, Chamber and business community.

The final hurdle will be consideration by the K-WIB for actual certification on February 16 in Frankfort.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Angel investment tax credit bill will help Owensboro

2012-01-03T12:53:00.000-08:00

This year, once again, legislation has been prefiled that would establish an angel investor tax credit program for individuals who invest in certain small businesses.

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. has supported the legislation in years past, and EDC officials are hoping the bill will gain traction this year. It could help Owensboro’s efforts to nurture and retain high tech and life sciences start-up companies that require a lot of capital on the front end, local EDC officials said.

“We’ve been supportive of this for several years,” said Madison Silvert, vice president for entrepreneurship and high tech development at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. “It would provide incentives for qualified investors to invest in Kentucky start-up companies.”

The state incentives already are available for groups such as Lexington’s Blue Angels and Louisville’s Enterprise Angels and Louisville Angels.

This legislation, however, would provide the same incentives to individuals, and that is important for Owensboro and more rural areas of the state where there are no groups in place, Silvert said.

Generally, angel investors supply venture capital to companies that show high-growth prospects or fit well with their own business or are competing in the sector in which they made their mark.

In recent months, Daviess County showed up at No. 9 among 20 counties nationwide on web magazine BusinessInsider.com’s list of counties identified as potentially the next Silicon Valley.

Two areas the online magazine found in fleshing out the counties were broadband availability rates near 100 percent and unemployment rates beating their peers and the nation.

Silvert said recently that having a culture of entrepreneurial investment is a crucial next step for the Owensboro region in attracting and retaining high tech companies.

The EDC and its partners are providing some breaks for several high tech and life sciences companies within the framework of Emerging Ventures, an innovation center/business incubator and the office and lab space offered in the Centre for Business and Research at 1010 Allen St.

“What we hope people understand is that high tech and life sciences companies require large amounts of capital for start-up, but the jobs they create are high quality and high paying,” Silvert said. “And it’s cheaper to incentivize these companies at the start than to try to relocate a mature company.”

The legislation is important for Owensboro, said Nick Brake, the president of the Greater Owensboro EDC.

“We have a healthy interest in the high tech, biotech and food safety companies we have churning here, and this legislation could turn that interest into investment,” Brake said. “It’s a matter of legislators seeing this as a viable option.”

Brake said he thinks getting a bill passed for angel investor tax credits is a learning process to educate people about how it can help.

Rep. Arnold Simpson’s legislation is prefiled as BR322. If it is filed when the Kentucky General Assembly convenes and becomes law, it would direct the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority to establish the application process for small businesses to participate.Angel investors who qualified could tap into the Kentucky Investment Fund Act tax credits that would be capped at $40 million.Simpson is a Covington Democrat.

The KEDFA would have to maintain a website listing all businesses and investors and the tax credits awarded. The prefiled bill also would require the small businesses to provide an annual report, and it would allow for tax credit recapture under some circumstances.

Community Campus Engineering Academy excites Students

2011-12-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

Gorged by a golf ball and soaring over the moon, the bespeckled, fist-size Chick-fil-A cow landed with a thud against the window in Apollo High School’s front lobby.

“Not a bad shot,” mused Landon Meserve, squatting behind his homemade catapult on Friday. “It’s all about the distance from the arm to this crossbar, here,” he said, pointing to a complicated maze of screws, rope, wood and bungee cords.

Meserve is one of 24 regional students in Daviess County Public School’s Project Lead the Way, a national curriculum marrying reality-based college courses with local, hands-on instruction. Students from DCPS, Owensboro, Trinity and Owensboro Catholic high schools are dropped off at, drive or are bused to Apollo’s campus for first period before joining their home schools the rest of the day.

Technology educators Aaron Yeiser and Steven May challenged the teens to calculate distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration from data and to design, build and test a vehicle that stores and releases potential energy for propulsion — all in two weeks’ time.

“We do a version of the competition every year,” May said. “This year, we thought of using cows and getting corporate sponsorship, and it worked out.”

Chick-fil-A sent out their mascot and donated small, stuffed cows for the event, while Mays and fellow teachers honored students with the farthest overall shot and gave points for a series of 10 accuracy shots.

No slingshots were allowed, Mays said, and students only got five practice shots. They got 25 points to shoot the cow over the hand-painted, 6-foot-tall moon; lesser points for landing in one of three 5-gallon buckets; and 10 points per pin for cow bowling. The points doubled for bowling, he said, if students got a strike.

Meserve aimed, pulling back four and a half inches — 10 feet worth of distance —- at a time. He missed, and then a strike. He and his OHS partner, Buxton Johnson, took first with 375 points, Catholic High junior Kali Paul rounded out the bottom with only 70 points.

“Ours is tiny, so it’s like the underdog,” Paul said, pointing to her own, cow-painted creation, at least two feet shorter than Meserve’s. “We didn’t do so well. My catapult is going to Chick-fil-A, and it’s going to retire there.”

Paul and her partner make up a growing minority of women interested in engineering, a statistic college and career readiness coordinator Marcia Carpenter said they’re working to overcome.

“Right now, the national average is 11 percent, and we have 7,” she said, “but hopefully programs like Project Lead the Way will help that.”

Megan Harris, 691-7302, mharris@messenger-inquirer.com

Owensboro EDC and Chamber pass Joint Resolution on the Work Ready Community effort

2011-12-15T08:42:00.000-08:00

The boards of directors of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp and Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce passed a joint resolution supporting the application that Owensboro-Daviess County be considered a "Work Ready Community."

The Work Ready Community program was launched by Governor Beshear and the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (K-WIB)in August of this year. The Owensboro application, which was submitted last week, will be among the first applications considered.

The new program is designed to transform local economies and give counties a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and jobs.

“We have business and industry in Kentucky that require a skilled workforce. This program provides us with a way to prove it, county by county,” said Gov. Steve Beshear in August. “In addition, the program promotes collaboration among key community stakeholders including education, economic development, elected officials, employers, workforce agencies and community organizations as they work toward common community goals.”

To earn certification, counties will have to meet established criteria in six specific areas. Highlights of the Owensboro application include the following:

· high school graduation rate- Work Ready standard: 82.32%, Owensboro region: 83%;
· National Career Readiness Certificate holders- Work Ready standard: plan to raise to 15% in three years, Owensboro: current 8% with plan to grow to 15%;
· educational attainment (2 and 4-year degree rate)- Work Ready standard: 25%, Owensboro: 32%;
· soft skills development- Work Ready standard: plan to address, Owensboro: a plan is in place;
· digital literacy (percent household with broadband available)- Work Ready standard: 90%, Owensboro: 96%.

The regional Work Ready Community effort was co-chaired by Helen Mounjoy and Judge Al Mattingly in conjunction with the EDC. The K-WIB will consider the application at their February meeting.

Study: Owensboro a high performing small metro

2011-11-08T04:38:00.000-08:00

A new U.S. jobs growth report lists Owensboro as a “high performance” small metro based on summer employment trend data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Headlight, LLC, which provides economic and workforce development companies with data and software systems, conducted the analysis.

Owensboro’s annualized growth from June to September was 5.8 percent, and its actual growth was 1.4 percent.

The study also provides a look at how close cities are to their employment status in December 2007 — the start of the recession. Owensboro has a 1.9 percent deficit. This data indicates it would take Owensboro 17 months to get back to the December 2007 employment level.

“Any time you look at comparable data to see where other communities like ours are, and we’re in the top quartile, that’s good,” said Nick Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation. “And any time someone labels you a high-performing metro, it’s a good thing. It shows we have growth, actual and projected.”

The report analyzed 386 metros — 269 were categorized as small. Owensboro fit the criteria of a “micropolitan” area as defined by the BLS. This group has an average population of 50,000-60,000 but can be as high as 195,000. And they are typically single-county “ex-urbs” that can be located close to large metros.

The report is organized by population size.

Only a couple of other Kentucky metros show up in the study.

Louisville-Jefferson County is a “high performance” metro in the medium category for summer 2011. It’s annualized growth was 4.7 percent; actual growth 1.2 percent. It has a greater deficit from -- or further to go to get back to -- the prerecession employment level than Owensboro does. Its rate is -3.4 percent, meaning it could take 37 months to reach that December 2007 point.

The conversion of the job deficit data into “months remaining” to reach the prerecession rate does not suggest that the recovery will take this long, the study states. It is another data point of reference on the speed of the recovery.

The study also shows that 45 percent of the small metros still were in crisis during the summer. And 41 percent of medium and 35 percent of large metros also showed negative job growth.

Elizabethtown ranked in the bottom 5 percent showing -2.9 percent actual job growth.

“That’s almost half the small cities that were in recession this summer,” Brake said. “If you look at the average job growth by metro size, the top 25 percent are doing pretty well, and the bottom are doing really poorly.”

The report indicates that Owensboro has a good strategy in diversifying its economy and pursuing different options for growth including “quality of place and quality of life,” Brake said.

Not surprising, Brake said, is that it also shows a corollary -- many cities in the top 25 are college cities or are focused on quality of place or quality of life issues.

“They’re focused on creating a strong workforce, attracting young people and attracting entrepreneurs,” he said. “Anything we can do to focus on aligning with this sector is important.”

“While growth has appeared slow but steady for the nation, the recovery has been far from uniform across metros in the U.S.,” the study synopsis states.

The public release about Headlight’s growth report is at http://www.headlightllc.com/bestsummer2011/.

Joy Campbell, 691-7299, jcampbell@messenger-inquirer.com

Riverfront Crossings

2011-11-04T14:25:00.001-07:00

Owensboro Downtown Waterfront Hotel

2011-11-04T14:14:00.001-07:00

Two years ago, this community said goodbye to the storied Executive Inn. This landmark hotel hosted scores of events, conventions, concerts, and helped define Owensboro as a premiere destination city in our Commonwealth. The City of Owensboro and the Daviess County Fiscal Court took a monumental step forward in 2009 with the ratification of the Downtown Placemaking Initiative. One of the key components of that plan involved the construction of a new hotel in conjunction with an indoor Convention/Events center.
At the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster Breakfast this week, developer Malcolm Bryant unveiled his design for the proposed 151-room Hampton Inn & Suites. The hotel will be the only LEED-certified hotel in Kentucky, and will also include a full-service restaurant, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, bridge connection to the new 169,000 sq ft Convention/Events Center, and retail and cafe space that will complement the pedestrian and new urban feel of our revitalized downtown.

This is truly a landmark day for Owensboro! Congratulations to the Malcolm Bryant Corporation, the City of Owensboro, and the scores of others who are taking this giant leap forward!

Owensboro-Daviess Co. the next Silicon Valley?

2011-11-04T14:11:00.001-07:00

Business Insider magazine has put Daviess County on a 20 county list that could be the next Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley sits in Northern California. It's where Apple computers were born.

"Silicon Valley is really the hub of innovation for the United States," says Madison Silvert of EDC.

What does Owensboro have to do with silicon valley?

Business experts say in the future, Owensboro could be the next Silicon Valley for several reasons.

"They have access to higher education, they have an innovative spirit, they're nice communities, moderately sized. Quality of life is one of those things that you absolutely have to have to be able to attract the talent that is necessary to promote high-tech growth," Silvert says.

Along with lower than average unemployment rates, Hollison Technologies CEO Kevin Humphrey says Owensboro's Center for Business and Research is a big reason why he thinks Owensboro made Business Insider's cut.

"Often entrepreneurs are people with good ideas. May not be um well suited to run their own business yet and need guidance in places and that being available is a wonderful tool."

"We're creating a bio-technology sector here in food and medical in pharmaceuticals specifically plant made pharmaceuticals where you can see some of the advancements that could be made in this kind of high tech environment. The seeds have been planted," Silvert says.

Daviess County was the only county in Kentucky that made business insider's list.

Interstate 69 opens in Kentucky

2011-10-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

Members of the Indiana Department of Transportation Interstate 69 project team joined Kentucky transportation officials Tuesday to celebrate and learn more about their successful efforts to extend the interstate highway through Kentucky.

I-69 signage is now being installed along 55 miles of Interstate 24 and the Wendell Ford/Western Kentucky Parkway, which is being upgraded to interstate standards.

"Indiana congratulates Kentucky on receiving federal approval to upgrade some of their existing parkways for I-69," said Samuel Sarvis, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) deputy commissioner for major program management. "Kentucky's efforts show Indiana ways the existing State Road 37 might be transformed into I-69 Sections 5 and 6."

Stretching from Texas to Michigan, I-69 has been designated by Congress as a High Priority Corridor of National Significance and one of six "Corridors of the Future." I-69 construction is regarded as a key component to the future economic vitality of southwestern Indiana and will provide necessary connectivity with the rest of the state and the nation.

The I-69 corridor from Evansville to Indianapolis was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in March 2004, based on the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Study released in December 2003, which divided the 142 miles into six independent sections. Sixty-five miles of Sections 1, 2 and 3 are currently under construction and scheduled to open at the end of 2012.

In September, FHWA approved the route for 27 miles of Section 4 between Crane and the existing limited-access S.R. 37 south of Bloomington. Section 4 is scheduled to open to traffic by the end of 2014, and bids are being opened for the first construction contract this fall.

Owensboro Unemployment at Lowest Level since 2008

2011-09-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Daviess County’s unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent in August — the lowest it’s been since the beginning of the Great Recession.

The last time the county saw a rate lower than 8 percent — a figure once considered high — was nearly three years ago, in December 2008, when it was at 7.1 percent.

Local unemployment stood at 9 percent in both July 2011 and August 2010, the numbers released by the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training show.

“We’re not where we’d like to be, but the (new) number is reflective of some positive economic projects we’ve had over the past couple of years,” Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp., said Monday.

The new numbers show that 1,100 more people — 45,477 — are working here today than in December 2008.

But the number of people in the work force has also grown — by 1,493 people to 49,282.

The state lists 3,805 people as unemployed in the county today, up 393 from December 2008.

Brake said U.S. Bank Home Mortgage has hired several hundred people in the past year and the hospital continues to add workers.

And, he said, “Our strategy supporting entrepreneurship is paying off as some of the smaller companies are hiring now too. I still have concerns about the possibility of a double-dip recession, but I’m optimistic. This is a very strong sign of economic activity in the community.”

Daviess’ 7.7 percent rate was matched by both Hancock and Ohio counties in August.

Hancock’s unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in December 2008. It hit 14.8 percent six months later.

But the jobless rate there has been dropping steadily in recent months as many of the industries began calling back workers who had been laid off.

“We’re heavy in manufacturing over here,” said Mike Baker, executive director of the Hancock County Industrial Foundation. “All of our plants are flush right now. There haven’t been any expansions or hirings, but they’re in good shape. We’ve also seen an uptick in hiring of temporary workers.”

But he said there’s a national shortage of electricians, electrical contractors and mechanics that will “reach epidemic levels within three years.”

If people are looking for careers, those are good fields to consider, Baker said.

The statewide unemployment rate for August was 9.1 percent — down from 9.7 percent in July and 10.1 percent in August 2010.

Owensboro Chooses Cape Air St. Louis Flights for Air Service

2011-09-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

A panel choosing a carrier for air service at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport has selected Cape Air, a Hyannis, Mass., airline and sent that recommendation on to federal regulators.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will consider the panel's choice when it makes a final selection for a commuter airline serving Owensboro, The Messenger-Inquirer reported (http://bit.ly/ra8Por).

Cape Air proposed three daily flights to and from St. Louis. The fare will be $49 including fees and taxes and no additional cost for baggage.

KentuckySkies, a subsidiary of Pacific Wings, which flew from Owensboro to Nashville, informed the airport board in July that it would end the service Sept. 30.

Daviess County Economic Development Incentive Application on GO-EDC Website

2011-09-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

The application for the Daviess County Economic Development Fund is now available on the GO-EDC website. The $1 million fund was created by the Daviess County Fiscal Court earlier in the year to promote economic development and job creation in Daviess County. The application is available at http://edc.owensboro.com/_documents/EconomicDevelopmentFundApplication.pdf

Achieving the "Bilbao Effect" in Owensboro

2011-09-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

The design of the Owensboro Event Center

It has been a big week in Owensboro! The design, size and scope of the Owensboro Events Center has been approved. How important is the design of these amenities to the overall success of revitalizing the downtown and the overall region?

Just ask the once declining city of Bilbao, Spain. This sleepy, seaside, former industrial city in Northern Spain gets a new museum housed in a building already called--on its completion at the end of the 20th century--the most important building of the 21st. The museum is Frank Gehry's Guggenheim. Virtually overnight, the small city became one of the most popular destinations in Europe. From all reports, Bilbao is rapidly metamorphosing from a sort of one-hit wonder to a genuinely vibrant city with restaurants, nightlife, theatre, and art. Gehry's radical, shimmering metal building has become a source of immense civic pride.

Bilbao Museum in Spain

Called the "Bilbao Effect," great architecture should be the centerpiece of urban space. Whether religious, governmental, commercial, or cultural, buildings define their cities. This is our chance to have a world class building on the world class river that runs through this city. Given the strength of the proposals and the architectural talent from around the country interested in the project-- world class is possible. Such a "Bilbao effect" could benefit the region culturally and economically for a long time to come.

Louisville- Lexington Super Region Partnership Good Lesson for Owensboro

2011-08-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Back in the early days of the commonwealth, Lexington and Louisville were about as different as two cities could be.

The Bluegrass metropolis, for a time the largest city west of the Alleghenies, fancied itself an extension of Virginia. Its beau ideal, Henry Clay, had traveled west from Virginia, as had many of the early residents of the town. It boasted elegant streets and spacious homes.

A hundred miles west on the Ohio River, Louisville's origins were far different. The river city was settled by hardy pioneers, many of whom came from the East and were dissatisfied with their lot in life there. Always a bit rowdy, known for its brothels and barrooms, Louisville grew because of its location, soon outpacing Lexington in both wealth and population.

Fast forward to 2011, with two new leaders, both young entrepreneurs interested in setting a new course in partnership, not in competition. Together, they creatively sought support from the Brookings Institution to do a study that explores how to build the corridor between the two cities (which also includes the capital city, Frankfort) to the advantage of both.

The economic development impact of this approach will be felt all around the Commonwealth. What can Owensboro learn from this initiative? Would a similar super regional arrangement with Evansville or Bowling Green provide similar benefit to this region and part of the state?

Governor Beshear Announces Launch of Work Ready Communities Certification

2011-08-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 16, 2011) – Thanks to the launch of Work Ready Communities by the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) today, Governor Beshear announced today that Kentucky counties can now be certified as “work ready” based on the quality of their labor force.

The new program is designed to transform local economies and give counties a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and jobs.

“We have business and industry in Kentucky that require a skilled workforce. This program provides us with a way to prove it, county by county,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “In addition, the program promotes collaboration among key community stakeholders including education, economic development, elected officials, employers, workforce agencies and community organizations as they work toward common community goals.”

Earning Certified Work Ready Community status assures that local workforces have the talent necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require in the future.

Each community must gather local support and commitment and apply for the Work Ready Community designation. To earn certification, counties will have to meet established criteria in six specific areas:
· high school graduation rate,
· National Career Readiness Certificate holders,
· demonstrated community commitment,
· educational attainment,
· soft skills development, and
· digital literacy.

“The community experience of the application process is a valuable component of achieving Work Ready status,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Joseph U. Meyer. “As a state, we must focus on the importance of setting workforce and economic development goals, and this program allows us to develop a framework and work together as communities toward those goals.”

Communities close to meeting the criteria will be awarded the distinguished designation of Work Ready Community in Progress. To achieve this status, a county must present a viable plan to meet all of the criteria within three years. This designation demonstrates that a community is making strides and working with its business community to improve.

“We understand that achieving Work Ready status may be difficult, but the bar must be set high for the certification to have meaning to employers,” said Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Larry Hayes. “Work Ready status shows employers and prospective employers that a county has the talented workforce that business demands – a sustainable pipeline that delivers the right workers with the right skills at the right time.”

Applications will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the KWIB. That panel will then recommend certification by the board for those counties that meet the criteria. The panel will meet three times per year and applications may be submitted at any time of the year.

For more information about the criteria and how to apply for certification, go to http://kwib.ky.gov/workreadycommunity.htm

Governor Beshear Announces Expansion of Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport

2011-08-11T11:22:00.001-07:00

OWENSBORO, Ky. (Aug. 11, 2011) – Governor Steve Beshear today joined community and airport leaders from the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) to announce the airport will undergo an expansion of its terminal. The expansion will significantly increase the size of the waiting area, along with the baggage handling and pick-up areas. The Airport, local Transportation Security Administration and the Airport’s Fixed Base Operator are adding three full-time and several part-time positions because of the terminal expansion and additional flights.

“The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport continues to experience significant growth, which is good for both economic development and tourism,” said Gov. Beshear. “The Commonwealth is proud to partner with community and airport officials to make further enhancements that will not only improve the terminal, but will create jobs for Kentuckians.”

Since the time of the airport’s 1993 Master Plan Update, more than $26 million in federal, state and local funds have been invested in improving OWB’s airfield infrastructure. Several runways have been extended and the airport now boasts the third longest runway in Kentucky.

The improved airfield was critical to OWB’s attraction of Allegiant Airlines in February 2009, which offers flights to and from Orlando, Fla. Allegiant recently announced a new passenger service from OWB to Las Vegas, NV beginning in October.

“The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is becoming the new front door for our region. This terminal expansion will be noticed by visitors arriving and departing Owensboro – Daviess Co. and as such, will be a direct reflection on the immediate region,” said Ray Asmar, Chairman of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport Board of Directors. “A mile of highway will take you a mile, but, a mile of runway will take you anywhere!”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved the airport for a no-interest loan to help facilitate the improvements, which will have a positive impact on economic development. The loan will be repaid through entitlement proceeds received from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In addition, the Department for Local Government awarded $500,000 in multi-county coal severance funds to Daviess and Ohio counties in effort to help complete the terminal expansion and improvement project at OWB. Multi-County Local Government Economic Development Funds (LGEDF)/Coal Severance Funds are a portion of coal severance taxes set aside to fund projects benefiting two or more coal-producing counties.

“This airport explansion could not have come at a better time as the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport has just been awarded an additional jet service route,” said Rep. Tommy Tompson, of Owensboro. “The expansion will alllow our airport to better serve the needs of its customers and is a great investment. I want to thank Governor Beshear for his continued support of our community and for his leadership, and I want to thank our local leaders for moving this project from the drawing board to reality.”

Kentucky Export Initiative holding free session to assist Owensboro area businesses with exporting

2011-08-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

The Kentucky Export Initiative, scheduled for September 13 at GRADD, will provide regional businesses with an introduction to exporting.

The day-long seminar will cover topics such as finding the right partner markets, legal and financial considerations, and logistics of exporting goods to international markets.

Visit www.kyexports.com to register or call Jeanine Duncliffe at 502.564.7140. There is no cost, but space is limited and registration is required.

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, GRADD, the Small Business Development Center, and Northwest Kentucky Forward are among the sponsors of the event.

Allegiant Air to fly direct from Owensboro to Las Vegas

2011-08-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Allegiant Air confirmed Thursday that it will add nonstop jet service between Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport and Las Vegas starting Oct. 14. The announcement came at a 10 a.m. news conference. The introductory fare for Owensboro travelers is $89.99. The Las Vegas flights will be on Mondays and Fridays. Departure time from Owensboro is 12:20 p.m. with arrival in Las Vegas at 2:10 p.m. for about a 4-hour flight with the time zone changes. The Las Vegas-based carrier already flies nonstop between Owensboro and Orlando. The success of those flights was a primary factor in the company’s decision to add another route, a company spokesperson said.

Hispanics playing a large role in Owensboro's growth

2011-08-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Regional Economist, a quarterly publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, has analyzed the role of Hispanics in population growth of metropolitan areas in the seven state Eighth Federal Reserve Bank district based in St. Louis.

Owensboro is one of two metros identified where Hispanic population growth accounted for the largest share of population growth over the past ten years, according to the 2010 Census. From 2000 to 2010, nearly a quarter (1.6 percent overall) of Owensboro's 4.4 percent growth came from the Hispanic population. Non-Hispanic white population growth constituted 1.2 percent of the 4.4 percent growth in the Owensboro MSA during this period. This growth closely resembled the trend of Hispanic growth nationwide.

Forbes: Owensboro rank among best small places for business and careers

2011-08-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Owensboro made the latest Forbes ranking of best small places for business and careers.

The Owensboro MSA ranked number 58 on the list of top 100 small metropolitan regions.

“Forbes is a very credible publication read in the world of business,” said EDC President Nick Brake. “That kind of exposure is strong recognition of the positive things going on in our region.”

Owensboro, KY - #58 Best Small Places for Business and Careers

http://www.forbes.com/places/ky/owensboro/

Owensboro continues to post strong job growth numbers

2011-07-29T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Owensboro Metropolitan Area continues to post strong employment numbers based on the latest figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Owensboro area had 1,275 more jobs and 1,162 more people in the regional labor force this year compared to the same time last year.

EDC President Nick Brake attributes this growth to expansions at several area manufacturing facilities as well as the 500 job expansion at US Bank Home Mortgage. He also indicated that construction projects such as the new hospital, road projects, and downtown are fueling the healthly job numbers.

Owensboro entrepreneurs recognized

2011-07-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

In this globally competitive marketplace, finding your niche is of vital importance. Owensboro natives and entrepreneurs Carter Gaddis and Neel Ford saw an opportunity and went for it. What they and their partners have created, the Sleeve360, allows iPad users to comfortably "wear" their iPad via a rear support strap that also allows the iPad to fully rotate for presentation, demonstration, or screen sharing. The applications are endless, but it is easy to see how such an innovation could be useful to the hospitality, restaurant and medical industries.

Now, their latest version for the iPad2 has been reviewed by one of the best Apple product websites out there, TUAW (the unauthorized apple weblog). In the website's ongoing "smackdown" series, which pits similar products against each other, TUAW proclaims the Sleeve360 as the "hands down" winner, stating that the "case is much easier to put on and take off, the rotation mechanism can be easily removed, and it the case really does work well as a stand in either portrait or landscape mode," and that it is "much more comfortable to wear." The full review can be read at http://www.tuaw.com/2011/07/19/sleeve360-and-handstand-for-ipad-2-smackdown-of-the-rotating-ip/

Innovation is everywhere in this town, and it is precisely this type of fresh, global product, that will keep Owensboro competitive for years to come.

For more information on the Sleeve360, or to place an order, visit www.sleeve360.com.

Citistates report reveals strengths and challenges

2011-07-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

July 19--"I'm bullish on Owensboro," Keith Schneider told a group of about 50 people who came out to hear the first report from "What's Done, What's Next: A Civic Pact" on Wednesday at Owensboro Community & Technical College.

"I'm more bullish on Owensboro than Owensborans are," he said. "But I'm not blind. People here are having a tough time" financially.

For a city trying to compete worldwide for investment, Schneider said Owensboro is awfully white.

"You need more Jewish people, more Asians and more gays," he said.

In 1991, John Hager, then owner and publisher of the Messenger-Inquirer, brought syndicated columnist Neal Peirce to town to take an in-depth look at the community.

This year, Hager's Public Life Foundation of Owensboro has brought The Citistates Group, a network of journalists, speakers and civic leaders, to town to study how much the community has changed and in what directions it needs to go.

Schneider, a special correspondent for the New York Times since 1981, presented the report Monday on how the community has changed in the past two decades.

He said he's planning a story for the New York Times on Owensboro's downtown development and is pitching a story to his editors about the Community Campus program.

Owensboro, Schneider said, "is in a good position (for the future), but you and the rest of America need to be in a better position."

The United States, he said, "doesn't set the velocity of change in the 21st century. China does."

Having a lot of downtown on-street parking "is not a strength," Schneider said. "And you've got lots of parking." 'The city's population grew by 6.9 percent over the past 20 years, he said. The county grew by 10.9 percent, the state by 17.7 percent and the nation by 24.1 percent.

Significant problem with population

"You've got a significant problem with your population," Schneider said.

"The whole country is struggling to figure out what normal is now," Curtis Johnson, Citistates' CEO, told the crowd. "The long period of American exceptionalism is now at an end."

Gabrielle Gray, executive director of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, said fans attending ROMP last month told her, "We are the coolest place in Kentucky."

But Owensboro is off the beaten path and has to be a destination, she said.

Hugh Haydon, chairman of Kentucky BioProcessing, was head of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. and president and chief executive officer of what is now the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce at different times in the two decades.

At one time, he said, the community touted itself as a place with cheap electricity and cheap labor.

But, he said, "at some point, there was a recognition that even if we're successful, we lose."

Haydon said that led to a strategy of trying to create better paying jobs in the community.

"It's more important," he said, "to attract young people to a community than it is to keep your own."

"One of the things that surprised me was the disgruntlement about Owensboro," Schneider said. "Part of it is that we're a grumpy nation at the moment."

Madison Silvert, executive vice president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp., said part of the problem is "a narrow world view" among some people in the community.

Scheider told the crowd that "the quality of your leadership is very good."

The report notes the development of a new $385 million medical center east of Owensboro and the growth of U.S. Bank Home Mortgage to 1,600 employees by fall

"Last year, the city and county added 1,100 new jobs, a 2.3 percent increase that led all Kentucky metropolitan areas in job growth," it said.

Challenges lie ahead

But it also noted challenges that lie ahead.

More than 80 percent of adults in the region are not college graduates.

"Median household incomes -- $43,000 last year -- are higher than the Kentucky median income, but...are still not high enough to provide adequate support for a family," the report said.

It found that 15.2 percent of Daviess Countians live in poverty. That's lower than the state rate but 6 percent higher than the national average.

The county's lack of diversity -- more than 90 percent of Daviess Countians are white -- "could hurt Owensboro's competitiveness in encouraging investments from overseas and especially from China, the fastest growing industrial economy in the world," the report said.

It adds that "almost everyone a visitor meets in town either has a college-educated son or daughter or knows someone with a high-achieving son or daughter, that couldn't find a well-paying job in Owensboro."

Another challenge, the report said, is that "five of Daviess County's top ten employers are public institutions and account for over 4,200 well-paying jobs with benefits."

It adds, "It's likely that sector will steadily shrink over the next generation....(T)he emerging and possibly permanent economy will also put a cash collar around organizations like OMHS and River Valley Behavioral Health."

But the report notes that Owensboro has lost only 5.3 percent of its manufacturing jobs in the past two decades, when other communities were losing far more.

And it pointed out that the new Community Campus offers a curriculum and training program to match high school students with job training and future employment in local businesses.

The second and third reports on the community are scheduled for August and September.

The report is available at www.civicpact.org.

Keith Lawrence, 691-7301, klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com

___

Owensboro issues RFP for Riverfront Crossings

2011-07-12T11:55:00.000-07:00

The City of Owensboro has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development and construction of two mixed-use buildings at Riverfront Crossings in Downtown Owensboro. Conceived as park of the Downtown Placemaking Initiative, Riverfront Crossings—scheduled to open on September 8, 2011—will offer a unique and exciting new downtown destination to compliment and reinforce other major destinations of the new downtown, including the new Riverfront Park with Veterans’ Boulevard linear plaza, the proposed new hotel and Convention Center, and proposed improvements to historic Second Street. Riverfront Crossing is envisioned to be a lively but quaint outdoor entertainment and dining venue with a festive, “alley” look and feel.

Riverfront Crossing incorporates building sites for two new mixed use buildings. The first, SITE A, also known as the “Lofts at the Crossing” is located directly across the street from the new Riverfront Park and fountain and has a north-south orientation. The second, SITE B, is also known as “The Crossing Pub”, is intended to be the site of a pub or restaurant. The building site runs east-west and fronts both on St. Ann Street and on the central plaza of The Crossing adjacent to the Crossing’s signature tower.

All firms that submit their qualifications for considerations shall be reviewed and ranked based on the following criteria: 1) Firm/Team experience with similar projects; 2) Qualifications of the project team; 3) Cost estimation; 4) Preparation and understanding of the project; 5) Proximity and local participation

The City will hold a pre-submittal meeting regarding this project at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2011 in Room 406, City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Specifications for the above are on file and may be obtained from Joey Beatty, Purchasing Manager, City Hall, 101 E 4th Street, Room 119, Owensboro, KY. 42303. Telephone (270) 687-8431. Submittals must be delivered to the City Purchasing Department, 101 E. 4th Street, Rom 119, Owensboro, KY 42303 on or before 4:00 p.m. prevailing local time on Tuesday, August 30, 2011. The City of Owensboro reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive any irregularities in said submittals.

The EDC, city and county are currently implementing a fully funded $140 million Downtown Placemaking Initiative in consultation with Gateway Planning of Ft. Worth TX. The resulting master plan was finalized and adopted by the City of Owensboro and Daviess County in January 2009. A copy of the Placemaking Initiative may be viewed at: http://edc.owensboro.com/downtown/placemaking_initiative. Visit http://edc.owensboro.com/_documents/CrossingConcept-web.pdf to view the initial design considerations for Riverfront Crossing designed by architect Michael Huston.

OCTC grant will train OMHS staff on electronic medical records

2011-07-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

Owensboro Community and Technical College will help train hospital employees on new medical record software.

A $500,000 grant will pay for the partnership and help implement the new technology.

"This is the largest Kentucky Wins award in the Community Technical College System," says OCTC President Dr. Jim Klauber.

Owensboro Medical Health System has invested $55 million to help keep patient's records up to date. They now a new partnership as well.

"With that said, we have an agreement to sign."

State Representative Jim Glenn says OMHS employees will train to use the new Epic software at OCTC.

"Implementation is the most important thing of any technology we have."

So far, nine OMHS clinics actively use the new database. Employees have converted these files into a real time electronic database called Epic.

OMHS CEO Dr. Jeff Barber says patient history will benefit from this transition.

"It gives us a real comprehensive opportunity to look at that patient's history and treat them appropriately in a faster manner and more safer manner."

If patients visit a different clinic, files can be accessed by internet instead of fax machine, and the records are more accurate and have the latest medical history.

Over 3,000 employees will train, and the grant money will pay for the time spent to learn it all over the next eight months.

The whole hospital will implement the new system by December 1st.

Can U.S. Manufacturers Compete With the Chinese?

2011-07-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ms. Ying-Juan Rogers, Executive Vice President - World Trade Center Kentucky

Recent research by IHS Global Insight reveals that as of 2010, China is producing 19.8 percent of the world’s manufacturing output and, consequently, has become the largest manufacturer in the world, a position that the United States had previously held for almost 110 years. A growing fear of United States manufacturers is that there will be an increase in the number of factories shutting down and jobs moving overseas.

However, the China Federation of Logistics Purchasing Managers Index showed in May that new manufacturing orders in China were declining at a faster pace than the overall economic slowdown, a key indicator that manufacturing activity in China may have already peaked in the current economic cycle.

In this article we will examine the effects of rising labor costs, labor shortage, inflation, and increased energy costs in order to gain a more accurate perspective on the current situation and likely future of the Chinese manufacturing industry.

Rising labor cost

Traditionally, China is seen as both a labor-abundant and low-cost producer, which enables manufacturers to comfortably undercut competitors in production costs. However, this may no longer be the case.

Throughout China, wages are climbing at the rate of 15 to 20 percent a year, and Credit Suisse estimates that they will continue to rise 20 to 30 percent every year for the next three to five years.

According to People’s Daily (March 2011), between 2005 and 2010 the average wage for migrant workers in big cities increased 14.1 percent per year, from approximately $130 to $252 per month. At current rates, China’s wages could double in as few as five years.

Wage rates in Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin are currently only 30 percent cheaper than rates in low-cost U.S. states. Overall, manufacturing in China will only be 10 to 15 percent cheaper than in the U.S.–even before inventory and shipping costs are considered.
Shortage of labor force

China is facing an increasingly acute labor shortage. Some manufacturers, already weeks behind schedule because they cannot find enough workers, are closing down production lines and considering raising prices. There is a strong demand for young workers willing to work long hours and live in dormitories, conditions that older workers, those over forty, are considered unsuited for.

This current shortage is compounded by the fact that the average annual growth rate of China’s working-age population is beginning to slow down. The number of 18-year-old new laborers dropped from 27.9 million in 2002 to 22.5 million in 2010, and it is estimated that it will continue to decrease to 16.6 and 14.8 million respectively in 2015 and 2020.

The drop in the working age population is largely driven by demographic trends and strict family planning. The demographic shift resulting from the one-child policy ultimately serves to reduce the supply of young entry-level workers. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of young people choosing to attend college rather than opting for minimum-wage factory work.

Although there has been an increase in the number of Chinese young people attending college, there is also a serious shortage of skilled workers in the country. Often this results in massive poaching among rival companies and huge wage increases being offered to workers, which ultimately results in higher costs for the companies.

Inflation

Recent data from the China National Bureau shows a 5.3 percent increase in their consumer price index in April - a slight easing from March but well above Beijing's official 4 percent target for 2011. This rising inflation within China is driving up the cost of production in China and is also driving up the cost of Chinese goods compared to the rest of the world. Consequently, it is eroding some of China’s formidable advantage in export markets.

Over the past 12 months, the U.S. has witnessed a 2.8 percent increase in the price of goods imported from China.

Energy cost increase

In 2010, the energy-hungry Chinese economy burnt a staggering 3.2 billion tons of coal, which accounts for 70 percent of China’s electricity. The Chinese government has already warned that the country may soon hit peak coal production, which would in turn force greater reliance on costly imports. China’s Electricity Association is warning that there will be the nation’s largest power shortage in history this summer. As many as 20 provinces and territories have already been put on power rationing, including the country’s industrial heartland.

This predicted shortage and power rationig has driven up coal prices. Benchmark power-station coal prices at Qinhuangdao port rose 0.6 percent from the previous week to between $128.03 to $130.34 a metric ton on May 30th, 2011, according to the China Coal Transport and Distribution Association. That is the highest price recorded since October 2008.

The government also raised retail power prices for non-residential users in 15 provinces by about 3 percent this month - the first hike since November 2009. The wholesale prices charged by generators to distributors were also raised an average of 5 percent in three provinces after being pushed up in 12 other provinces in April, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, which sets energy prices in China.

The rationing of power and the rise of energy prices will undoubtedly negatively impact many manufacturing operations in China. Plants will face restricted production capabilities and higher overall costs.

Conclusion

Because of rising labor costs, labor shortage, inflation, and increased energy costs in China, manufacturing companies such as Coach, Inc. have already moved production out of the country, and others are reluctant to begin operations there. Some research-intensive sectors such as pharmaceutical, biotech and other life sciences companies are also reconsidering China. In addition to these reasons, which have resulted in an overall cost increase, some U.S. businesses are hesitant to set up operations in China because of the complexity of the business environment there. Obstacles such as cultural differences, political risks and intellectual property issues have also become serious considerations. Some U.S. corporations feel that domestic facilities are easier to manage and that the abundance of skilled workers is an undeniable advantage.

The stability of U.S. manufacturing is illustrated by research done by Boston Consulting Group which projects "that by 2015, strong productivity and relatively low wages would help the U.S. move ahead of China as a base for making goods which will be sold in North America."

U.S. manufacturers have the advantage of producing goods necessary for information technology and media-related industries, and are the leader in the production of chemicals, aircraft engines, industrial machinery, and military defense. These sectors are designed to produce goods that are vital in a technology-based, globalized economy. China, on the other hand, has a manufacturing base that is much more dependent on cheaper goods in sectors such as textiles, apparel, appliances, and certain commodities.

In the long-run it appears that fears of the dramatic decline of the U.S. manufacturing sector are largely unfounded, and that there is a significant possibility that manufacturing activity in China has peaked in this economic cycle and will actually begin to decline.

Ms. Ying-Juan Rogers
Executive Vice President
World Trade Center Kentucky, 333 West Vine, ste 1600, Lexington, KY 40507
Phone: 859-258-3139, Cell: 859-494-6631
www.kwtc.org

Steve Martin Draws Huge Crowd at Owensboro Bluegrass Festival

2011-06-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

The opening session of ROMP: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival at Yellow Creek Park, certainly lived up to its billing Thursday night.

The crowd was huge, blanketing the hillside in front of the stage for hundreds of yards in all directions. Even the weather was perfect. And, of course, there was star power in the person of stand-up comedian-actor-author and accomplished musician Steve Martin, who performed with The Steep Canyon Rangers.

Martin led The Steep Canyon Rangers onto the stage shortly after 8 p.m. to a chorus of cheers and applause. They didn’t disappoint, performing tight instrumentals, with Martin mixing sharp skills on the banjo with lots of humor.

“Now I wish I had practiced,” Martin declared as he gazed over the crowd of several thousand fans. “It’s been a longtime dream of mine to play bluegrass music in Owensboro, Kentucky!”

Emerge Owensboro application date fast approaching

2011-06-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

Owensboro's leadership program Emerge Owensboro is taking applications for the Class of 2012 through July 8th. A joint program of the Chamber and the EDC, Emerge Owensboro is a community immersion program that meets at least once per month starting September 8th for eight months. Anyone interested in learning more about the community or to prepare for future leadership positions in the workplace is encouraged to apply. Tuition is only $450.

Click here to download an application.

Pierce Report Provided Blueprint for New Economic Development Strategy

2011-06-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

The nationally respected Citistates group recently returned to Owensboro to update its 1991 analysis of the region by meeting with stakeholders and conducting interviews on the progress of the community since the publication of the Pierce Report 20 years ago.

The 1991 Peirce Report, named for journalist and Citistates group founder Neil Pierce, largely characterized Owensboro as a Heartland city on the verge.

The Owensboro of the early 1990s, reported Peirce and collaborator Curtis Johnson, was a conservative community clearly comfortable with American economic and social convention. It chased smokestack industries, for instance, and disregarded the value of women as community leaders.

The results of the report served as a blueprint for the new economic development strategy the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation presented to the community in 2006. Pierce was highly critical of the region's less than sophisticated approach to economic development that relied solely on the "big catch" in referring to the constant search for the next manufacturing plant to locate in the community.

Rather he suggested that the region use a more strategic approach in cultivating entrepreneurs and focusing on education as the path to prosperity in the modern economy. The report also suggested that the downtown area was an under utilized asset on the road to community improvement.

In 2006 the EDC Board embraced a new strategy that focused economic development efforts on Talent, Innovation and Place. Education, quality of place and growing new companies through the efforts of entrepreneurs began to compliment the traditional industrial recruitment efforts of the EDC.

Since 2006 the region has adopted a comprehensive Placemaking strategy to enhance the quality of place downtown, put in place a one-stop center, eMerging Ventures and created a state-of the-art business accelerator to nurture start-up businesses, and made numerous strides in the access and opportunities in secondary and postseconday education aligned to the workforce.

The challenge with this approach is that it is a long-term strategy. While the results have been very positive, continued long-term support will be important for success.

Click here to read the 1991 Pierce Report. Visit http://civicpact.org/ to read about the current Citistates project in Owensboro.

AT&T Acquisition of T-Mobile will Enhance Wireless Broadband in Owensboro

2011-06-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

One of the main topics of discussion this past year was AT&T’s 3G wireless broadband service--or, rather, the lack of AT&T 3G service in Owensboro while many of our neighboring cities already had access to this technology. Our interest at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation was driven by the needs of our businesses and the impact lack of service was having on economic development.

AT&T’s response to us, and the community, was that deploying a mobile broadband network was complex and involved many factors, with the major factor being spectrum. There was not enough spectrum (airwaves) available in Owensboro to offer 3G service. Finally, in December this issue was resolved with the announcement that Owensboro now had AT&T 3G service. At the risk of not sounding grateful, members of the EDC were already asking about AT&T’s plan for 4G service.

The importance of a high-speed mobile broadband network that serves every town, large or small, cannot be overstated. It’s not just a matter of how fast your pictures or videos load. Mobile broadband will be a key driver of productivity in almost every business and will change the way we deliver health care and education. And, what is of immense importance to Owensboro and west Kentucky is that it will allow smaller towns to compete on an equal basis with larger cities. Owensboro needs the latest wireless broadband technology available to be competitive, grow our town and attract people to our community--particularly young graduates wanting to come home.

You may have read about AT&T’s offer to acquire T-Mobile. There are many reasons given why this merger is a perfect fit for the two companies. Primarily, they use the same technology and their networks complement each other. But what makes the T-Mobile merger so important to Owensboro is that AT&T will gain the spectrum needed to enhance our existing 3G service and to deploy 4G to 97 percent of the households in America. Without this additional spectrum, AT&T’s current plan is to serve 80 percent of its households. Owensboro and all other small and rural towns simply cannot afford to be part of that 20 percent that has to wait.

We urge the FCC to approve the AT&T/T-Mobile merger agreement. The Greater Owensboro region deserves the best possible resources to help our local businesses grow and thrive. The GO-EDC has seen the benefits mobile broadband can bring and we believe the merger is a big step forward in boosting workplace productivity, investment, and most importantly, employment.

Sazerac revives Glenmore name for Owensboro plant

2011-05-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Sazerac Company revived the Glenmore Distillery name for their Owensboro-based operation at a ceremony with employees and local officials today. The company employs 180 people at the Owensboro plant. The Glenmore operation has an an economic impact of $17.8 million in the regional economy.

Public and Private Investment in Economic Development Paying Dividends for Owensboro

2011-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

The 2010-2011 EDC Annual Report shows that public and private investment supporting the work of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation is paying dividends for the Owensboro region.

Over the past two years the $650,000 has been invested by local government and $260,000 has been invested by private sources through the Investment 2020 program supporting the operating expenses of the professional economic development staff and growth strategy for the region. This financial support has lead to over $104 million in direct private business investment by firms supported by the EDC.

Every dollar spent in support of the EDC translates to nearly $50 spent in the community. In terms of public money, every public tax dollar used to support the EDC translates to an $83 return on investment in private business investment.

Visit EDC Annual Report on the web.

Centre for Business and Research: Six month progress report

2011-05-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Last week economic development officials presented a status report to the Owensboro City Commission on the Centre for Business and Research, the 40,000 square foot business accelerator that opened last October.

In the six months since the facility opened, three tenants have moved into the Centre. Additionally, the biotechnology lab used by industries and the Western Kentucky University biotech research program is opened. EDC Executive Vice President Madison Silvert is currently finalizing leases with three additional companies. He projects that the Centre will have 8 to 10 companies occupying space by the end of 2011.

"At the current rate of growth the Centre will be near capacity by the end of 2012, a full three years ahead of schedule," said Silvert. By the end of 2012 the Centre will generate a dollar in lease revenue for every dollar invested by the City for the project. If occupational taxes of the new jobs, with an average salary of $95,000, in the building and net profit taxes for the new companies that locate there are factored in, the City will generate a positive return on their annual investment of $300,000 in very short order.

"Few investments in economic development provide as rapid a return on such a small investment," said EDC President/CEO Nick Brake. "This project was originally proposed as a long-term endeavor. We are very pleased with the initial results, but it is important to be patient and stay the course for the entire commitment of ten years," he said.

"While such a positive return in such a short time is nice, the ultimate goal of the project is to help form scalable companies that can grow and eventually locate in the region and employ several hundred people," said Silvert.

OwensboroU site makes debut

2011-05-13T15:48:00.001-07:00

By Joy Campbell, Messenger-Inquirer

OwensboroU.com is now live.

This new website — touted as an economic development marketing tool — brands Owensboro as an exciting and safe college town and puts a lot of information about its four partner colleges in one place, officials said Tuesday.

Representatives of Western Kentucky University-Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro Community & Technical College and Brescia University joined Nick Brake, the president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp., in officially launching their partnership at a news conference in the Commerce Center.

A small crowd of educators, business and community leaders and public officials attended the launch.

“Economic development has long been based on the location decisions of companies,” Brake said. “The overall goal of our partnership is to focus on the location decisions made by college students and their parents.”

The EDC is continuing to pursue a strategy that educational attainment drives the new economy. The goal of this partnership is to boost the community’s college enrollment to 10,000 from its current number of nearly 8,000, he said.

The idea is for the community to be able to continue to retain at least two out of three graduates to live and work in the community.

The web portal is the primary marketing tool the partners will use to “Enroll, Engage and Employ” students who choose Owensboro.

The site lets the institutions sell themselves and lets parents see what the colleges and the community have to offer.

Links to the colleges as well as to social media and other sites also are plugged into OwensboroU.

“Our hope is that this initiative will help us work together as a region and recognize the role that higher education and a baccalaureate degree play in economic development,” Brake said.

As the partnership continues, other organizations will be engaged to tie the college population together, he said.

The new website and partnership provides a way to demonstrate the collaborations the four colleges already have and an opportunity to continue those relationships, said Gene Tice, Western’s Owensboro campus director.

The four leaders have been meeting regularly for a number of years.

“Parents are very interested in the community where their students will live,” said Cheryl King, KWC’s president. “This gives us a chance to showcase our community for its safety and amenities such as our emerging downtown which is exciting to students and to show that we are a community that will care about them.”

The partnership shows that more may be achieved through collaboration, even though each college is different, King said.

Jim Klauber, president of Owensboro Community & Technical College, likes the idea of each institution sharing the message that it’s an exciting time to be a college student and to come to Owensboro. That message rings true for OCTC as it is creating niche programs to help students pursue their careers, he said.

Bringing together both the message of quality education with quality of place in Owensboro is important to Brescia, said its president, Rev. Larry Hostetter.

“Our students who come here do tend to stay,” he said

Brake said city and county officials support the idea that “education is about preparing for work, but it also is about making your life better.”

Lyn Cooper, president and CEO of First Security Inc., said the partnership and website is a unique collaboration among the colleges and EDC.

“It promotes knowledge of what we have in Owensboro,” Cooper said. “And we especially like it because on one site, students and families can compare the institutions. I applaud the EDC, and I think this is a great move in the right direction.”

Students, including existing college students, will find information links about internships, activities and housing.

Parents have their own sections with separate links to a number of data points including crime statistics, arts, jobs, housing and night life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

EDC AND LOCAL COLLEGES ANNOUNCE LAUNCHING OF OWENSBOROU.COM

2011-05-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC) along with Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro Community and Technical College, and Western Kentucky University - Owensboro will announce a partnership at a news conference tomorrow to focus on quality of place and amenities to make Owensboro a destination for college students. We will be officially launching OwensboroU.com – a web portal to market Owensboro to current and prospective students and their parents to help create the best college community experience possible.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Commerce Center
200 East Third Street, 3rd Floor Training Room
Owensboro, KY

Tri-state economic leaders visit Washington to support I-69 and energy policy

2011-05-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Regional Chamber and EDC delegation with Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar

A delegation of chamber of commerce and economic development executives from Henderson, Southwest Indiana, and Owensboro visited Washington, D.C. earlier this week to push for federal help with Interstate 69 funding more job-friendly energy regulations, and responsible fiscal policy,

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President Jody Wassmer and EDC President Nick Brake joined Henderson-Henderson County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Schneider, Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Indiana President & CEO Matt Meadors, Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana Board Chairman Jeff Deig and Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana President Greg Wathen to make the trip.

On Tuesday, May 3 the group was briefed on the status of energy, workforce and transportation legislation by U.S. Chamber of Commerce policy experts , then attended meetings with Kentucky congressmen Ed Whitfield and Brett Guthrie, Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell and Indiana Senator Richard Lugar. On Wednesday, May 4 the delegation met with Indiana Senator Dan Coats and also got a briefing on transportation issues from staff members of the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors.

"I-69 and energy are two of the most significant large-scale economic issues the communities of the Tri-State share in common," Henderson Chamber's Brad Schneider said. "So it's important that we take a regional approach to advocacy efforts on those subjects. The lawmakers we visited appreciated that and encouraged us to continue to work together."

Brake said the feedback from lawmakers was similar in each meeting. "We delivered a powerful message about how our region works together," he said.

"They all support the construction of I-69 in Indiana and Kentucky, and they all understand the importance of a new bridge to link the two states," said Wassmer. "Funding is the problem, especially with the debate about the budget deficit now under way in Washington and the reauthorization of the federal highways bill still in limbo. But we hope our lawmakers can help get the I-69 bridge in the bill in some form or fashion, and in our meetings we discussed some ways that could happen."

"As for energy, all the legislators we met with are dedicated to reign in unreasonable EPA regulations that threaten not only coal and power producers in our region but all the manufacturers and other businesses that rely on our relatively low energy prices. We told them we wholeheartedly support them."

This is the second straight year area chamber and EDC officials have travelled together to Washington to tout I-69, energy policy, and responsible fiscal policy.

Independence Bank ranks second in the nation among community banks

2011-04-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

Independence Bancshares Inc. has grabbed the No. 2 spot in a leading financial intelligence provider’s ranking of the best-performing community banks in the country with between $500 million and $5 billion in assets.

Texas-based Westar Bank Holding Co. Inc. was No. 1 in the national rankings.

Independence, with $1.012 billion in assets, did not significantly out-perform the top 100 banks in any one category used for the analysis, but it scored well enough across the board to lock in second place.

That assessment came from SNL Financial, which provides information and analysis for banks, financial, insurance, real estate, energy and media/communications companies.

“That means there was nothing extreme in any one area,” Independence President Darrell Higginbotham said. “We performed well enough in all categories to earn that second ranking.”

Of the 760 community banks that fit SNL’s criteria for the rankings, none has more than 60 offices.

If consolidated information was reported, the bank was ranked at the holding company level. Otherwise, SNL used commercial bank subsidiary data.

Higginbotham said another major takeaway from the No. 2 ranking is that it’s an asset for the community to have a nationally-ranked bank with the strength and stability to meet the region’s financial needs.

Here is Independence’s performance in the six areas that were ranked: 1.89 percent in return on average tangible assets before tax; .11 percent in net charge-offs as a percent of average loans; .46 percent adjusted nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans; 54.46 percent operating expenses as a percent of operating revenue; 4.37 percent net interest margin; 9.02 percent loan growth rate.

Higginbotham and CEO Chris Reid attribute the company’s success to its quality employees.

“We also think that it’s a validation of our strategies, of how we provide community bank services, and that communities are responding to how we do business,” Higginbotham said.

Northern Bancorp Inc. of Woburn, Mass. kept its net charge-offs to almost zero (.01 percent) to make it into the third slot.

Kentucky placed seven of its 22 banks eligible for this analysis in the top 100.

Independence Bank’s roots are in McLean County where Farmers & Merchants Bank opened in 1909. The modern-day history, however, began in 1971 when Charles A. Reid and Maurice E. Reisz purchased that bank and Providence State Bank in Webster County.

Soon after, current CEO Chris Reid joined his father and uncle and assumed a leadership role in the banks. In 1997, the two small banks were incorporated under one name, Independence Bank.

The bank has grown fast with offices now in Henderson and Owensboro, Sebree, Beech Grove, Hawesville, Lewisport, Bowling Green and Paducah.

The banks now employ more than 250 people.

Joy Campbell, 691-7299, jcampbell@messenger-inquirer.com

Community Campus receives grant funding

2011-04-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Community Campus has received two grants totaling $125,000 to fund and help expand the campus’ biomedical and energy technology academies that will enroll students in the fall and next year.

An experimental partnership between local school districts, colleges and businesses, Community Campus is tasked with finding new ways to educate students. The goal is to better prepare students for college or the job market by teaching them real-world situations and applications of their lessons.

These grants are both funded by the national education initiative Project Lead the Way, according to a release from Daviess County Public Schools, one of the key partners in Community Campus.

Marcia Carpenter, DCPS College and Career Readiness Coordinator, said Project Lead the Way is an education initiative based on improving education, just as Community Campus is.

“Project Lead the Way, what makes it unique is that it is relevant, the learning that students do is meaningful and everything is related to a real-world situation. Students are hungry for relevance,” Carpenter said. “I think the fact that we received the grant is an acknowledgement of the faith they have in what is being done in this area.”

The first grant, $50,000, will go to the Life Sciences Academy that is due to enroll students for the 2012-13 school year. The funds will be used to implement a four-class course of study under the academy.

“The Life Science Academy will start for the 2012-13 school year and this grant provides the start-up money for the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program, which will be the anchor for that academy,” Carpenter said. “It’s all learning by doing. All of the projects are based on simulations of real-life situations ... “It (the grant) also directly meets the needs that have been identified in our community for a growing health care community.”

The second grant, worth $75,000, will go to fund the Construction, Energy and Trades Academy and create an integrated pipeline course that will help middle school students interested in energy-related fields get on track to that academy.

“The energy-technology side starts with middle school. It’s a pipeline program that will lead into high school for an awareness on the kind of energy that we are using, the kinds of energy we’ll be using in the future and the consequences of energy use, such as pollution control,” Carpenter said.

Daviess County Public Schools Superintendent Tom Shelton said the grant funding is a big boost to Community Campus.

“I think it’ll definitely help us move Community Campus and our academies forward,” Shelton said. “This really builds the foundation for us in each of these programs.”

Shelton added that because of the cooperative nature of Community Campus, this money goes to help more than just one school system.

“It’ll benefit not only our district, but students from other surrounding school districts as well,” Shelton said. “These grants allow us also to have further conversations about how to structure programs for the future and continue to expand opportunities for students that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Dariush Shafa, 691-7302, dshafa@messenger-inquirer.com

OCTC and Jobs

2011-03-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

In further reflection and commemoration of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Owensboro Community and Technical College, I offer the following analysis of jobs data before and after the establishment of the college in 1986.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Owensboro has experienced far higher rates of job growth since the opening of OCTC when compared to the 15 years prior to the existence of the college. Job growth in the region from 1970 to 1985 was 17%, compared to 25% since the opening of OCTC in 1986.
As far as manufacturing jobs are concerned the numbers are striking and significant. In the 15 years before OCTC opened its doors, the region was bleeding manufacturing jobs at a rate of hundreds of jobs a year. A total of 1,500 jobs or 16% were lost from 1970 to 1985. In the 15 years after the college opened, the region actually gained manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing job retention rates in Owensboro from 1985 to 2008 far surpass the national level and the levels in many of Owensboro's peer regions. Since 1985, Owensboro has retained 98% of manufacturing jobs. This compares favorably to 85% nationally and 70% in our peer regions. The importance of a highly skilled and technical workforce is a critical component of this retention and OCTC, particularly since the consolidation of the technical programs, has been a key part of the region's competitiveness in the retention of manufacturing jobs.
Since the college opened Owensboro has seen a marked increase in professional service occupations that typically require some form of post secondary preparation, a 50% increase since 1985. This compares to 30% increase from 1970 to 1985.

I recognize that multiple factors play a part in the changes to the economy over the past 40 or 50 years. But numbers like these, particularly in the area of manufacturing, demonstrate the importance of increased access to higher education and training. The emphasis on technical skills provided by OCTC certainly have been a major driver of our regional competitiveness over the past several decades.

Owensboro College Celebrates New President and 25th Anniversary

2011-03-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Owensboro Community and Technical College celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Jim Klauber as the institution's fifth president as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the college's founding in Owensboro.

In reflection on this occasion, the founding of OCTC is easily the most important event in the last 25 in the Greater Owensbro region. It has raised education levels and contributed to the region's ability to be competitive in the face of significant changes impacting the global economy. Nearly all of these changes, from the growth of jobs in industries like health care and biotech to retention of jobs in declining industries in manufacturing, have been rooted in human capital.

OCTC has played a pivotal role in preparing Owensboro's human capital to navigate the changing economy with job training in every sector of the regional economy.

Since the consolidation of the community and technical colleges in 1997, enrollments at OCTC have increased significantly, to over 6,000 students. There is no better tool to improve the workforce and economic development of a community than a strong community college—and we have one of the best.

From the enrollment of high school students through the Discover College program to the customized business and industry training delivered to area businesses, OCTC demonstrates why a strong comprehensive community college and programs such as the Advanced Technology Center are key to the future progress and prosperity of Owensboro.

The community college movement has been called the Ellis Island of our time. It provides the same hope for the future that the shores of our great country provided immigrants of a century ago.

Like so many things that happen in Owensboro, the citizens of the community were slow to embrace this movement and many even fought it. To those leaders who fought to create this beacon of hope and those who continue their legacy today, I say thank you for showing us the power of transforming a community.

Joe Berry Appointed to EDC Downtown Development Position

2011-03-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation announces the appointment of Joe Berry as Project Manager for Downtown Development. Berry’s role will be to coordinate all private investment efforts specific to downtown Owensboro.

Berry has worked as an economic and community development planner for the past two years at the Green River Area Development District. At GRADD he managed small business projects through the $2.5 million revolving loan fund. He also administered funding to the region through Community Development Block Grants and from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.

“Joe Berry represents the profile of the kind of young professional we are attracting to this region with our efforts to revitalize downtown,” said Nick Brake, EDC President/CEO. “His enthusiasm and experience in working closely with economic development projects will take our private investment efforts to the next level.”

Mr. Berry was born and raised in Owensboro, a graduate of Owensboro High School. He is currently a downtown resident.

He holds a Master of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University and an undergraduate degree from Transylvania University. He is certified in Economic Development Finance and is a graduate of the Kentucky Institute for Economic Development. His employment will begin on April 18.

“It is certainly an exciting time for downtown and economic development overall in our community,” said Berry. “I am delighted to join the team of professionals at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and I look forward to working with the next phase of our master plan in attracting private investment to match and exceed the commitment of public funds downtown.”

Mixed Use Development Planned for Bates Building in Downtown Owensboro

2011-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Terry Woodward said last week he has purchased the three-story Bates Building at 101 W. Second St., the building next to it and a large vacant lot on Veterans Boulevard for $1.2 million.

The owner of WaxWorks/VideoWorks plans to build a "mixed-use, retail, high-rise condominium" on the lot, after the Bates Building has been restored.

"That is my plan," Woodward said. "Obviously, it's very preliminary, but that's what I want to do."

The purchase includes the building at 105 W. Second St., occupied by Patti's ReSale store (the former Woolworth's). The open lot behind those two buildings overlooks Veterans Boulevard and Smothers Park. The large lot sits between the city's parking garage and the American Legion.

Hollison Technologies, Centre will be featured on Fox Business

2011-03-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Fox Business Channel is filming a segment featuring Hollison Technologies at Owensboro's Centre for Business and Research.

Hollison, a tenant at the 37,000 square foot business accelerator, is a provider of products and services to the food industry to detect and track contaminants in the food supply chain.

Hollison provides unique products and services for food protection and the detection of contaminants in the food supply chain including, but not limited to, farms, bulk storage facilities, commodity transportation, food processing, food distribution and point of consumption. The company offers patented technology for the protection of the entire food supply chain with the detection and identification of chemical, biological and radiological contamination in food commodities, processed food and beverages. Hollison has developed a proprietary secure web-based food tracking capability for use with its breakthrough sampling and detection technologies to offer complete chain-of-custody information complete with available contamination test data.

EDC, OCTC partner to create certificate for Financial and Customer Services

2011-03-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

The Owensboro Community and Technical College and the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation have teamed up to create a customized certificate to prepare the workforce for the growing number of jobs regionally in the financial and professional services sector.

The professional-level certificate, taught through the OCTC business department, consists of four classes ranging from basic customer service and communications to money and finance. The program will be open to high school students through the Discover College and Community Campus Business Academy.

"The professional service sector is the fastest growing job area of both the national and regional economies," said Nick Brake, President/CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. "This certificate will allow both young people entering the workforce and incumbent workers between jobs to prepare for positions in back offices, call centers, and the financial services industry."

The customer support, call center and financial services sector in the Owensboro region consists of over 1,500 employees at six companies. Both US Bank and First Security Bank announced expansions of their mortgage processing services in 2010. The new US Bank Home Mortgage center, which will open later this week in the Mid America Airpark, will add up to 500 additional jobs over the next few years.

Peak Inside the Centre for Business and Research, Owensboro's business incubator

2011-03-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

“Buck$ for Bright Ideas” the Owensboro Region's Innovative Business Idea Competition

2011-03-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Buck$ for Bright Ideas is a publicly funded program that encourages residents in our region of the state to move forward with their “bright ideas.” Many people in our part of the state have innovative ideas that could become the foundation for a new business. Some of those people need help moving forward toward commercialization. The eMerging Ventures Center for Innovation is here to help with that effort. Our business development experts will work with you to turn your idea into a business reality!

Complete a simple application and compete for over $25,000 worth of valuable prizes. There will be multiple winners who will receive free services from regional professional firms for market research, patent research, accounting support, product design help and more. All applicants are eligible to receive one-on-one assistance with their idea at no charge! All ideas submitted will be held in strict confidence.

The application deadline is April 15. An awards banquet for all participants is planned for April 28 at 6:00 PM at the Innovation and Commercialization Center located at the WKU Center for Research and Development at 2413 Nashville Rd. in Bowling Green.

For more information on the program and an application form, go to www.BucksForBrightIdeas.com. You can also contact Madison Silvert at eMerging Ventures. Phone: 270.663-1050. Email: msilvert@owensboro.com.

US 231 opening brings Owensboro one step closer to I-64/ I-65 Corridor Connector

2011-03-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

The completion of the four-lane US 231 from the Natcher Bridge in Owensboro to Interstate 64 in Dale, Indiana has brought the region one step closer to the interstate system.

As Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels cuts the ribbon to open the Indiana side today only a 2-mile stretch of the Owensboro By-Pass Extension project remains to complete the 100-mile, four-lane route connecting I-64 in Dale to I-65 in Bowling Green.

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation are marketing this new four-lane route as the Interstate 64-65 Corridor Connector. The Owensboro exit around Kentucky 54 and the new hospital will be at the mid-point of this corridor.

"This will become Owensboro's exit on the national interstate network," said Nick Brake, President/CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. "The commercial development along this corridor should be significant for this region."

The Natcher Parkway will eventually become an interstate spur connecting to I-65.

"We are well on our way to transforming Owensboro from a community that has traditionally been considered somewhat 'transportation poor' to one that is fully intermodal," said Chamber of Commerce President Jody Wassmer.

Ribbon Cutting Tuesday on US 231 Corridor in Indiana

2011-03-12T05:22:00.001-08:00

DALE, Ind.—The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Vincennes District will celebrate the opening of the new U.S. 231 Corridor with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. local time, Tuesday, March 15. The event will be held at the new U.S. 231 and State Road 162 interchange.

WHO: Governor Mitch Daniels, INDOT Commissioner Michael B. Cline, Vincennes District Deputy Commissioner Rusty Fowler, and local officials

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. (local time) Tuesday, March 15

WHERE: The new U.S. 231 southbound lanes, on the southwest side of the interchange.

WHAT: Opening of the new four-lane U.S. 231 Corridor in Spencer County. Governor Mitch Daniels’ Major Moves project improves safety and mobility of motorists using U.S. 231. Construction of the new corridor provides a wider, safer roadway for motorists.

PARKING: Please follow staff on site for parking location.

INDOT reminds motorists to follow the posted work zone speed limit, use caution and consider worker safety when traveling through a construction zone. For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Owensboro 2010 job growth out performs Kentucky MSAs

2011-03-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its preliminary December employment report for 365 U.S. metro areas earlier this month. The data shows good news for Owensboro along with 40 states, the District of Columbia and 214 (59%) of the nation’s metro areas, all of which saw net job gains in 2010.

According to the report and Wadley-Donovan GrowthTech, an economic development research firm, growth in Owensboro led all Kentucky MSAs during 2010. The Kentucky data shows Owensboro job growth at 2.3 percent, or a net gain of 1,100 jobs in 2010. The Bowling Green MSA was second with 1.9 percent growth. Louisville and Lexington posted net job losses of -0.6 percent and -0.3 percent respectively.

Overall, Kentucky netted 21,600 jobs from January to December 2010, a growth rate of 1.3 percent.

The Kentucky data is available at the following link: http://www.wdgtech.com/documents/2010EmploymentchangebyMSA_000.pdf

Cuts to WIA would devastate Owensboro regional workforce efforts

2011-03-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

The House Continuing Budget Resolution, passed last week in Washington, would gut training and workforce development funds that would have a devastating impact of job seekers, employers, and workers in the Greater Owensboro region.

The House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR), would eliminate ALL funding for the
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in Program Year 2011. This amounts to a $2.97 billion cut at the federal government level. The impact on Kentucky would be over $40 million.

In the Owensboro region, the Green River Workforce Investment Board has been allocated over $1.5 million in funds, a vast majority of which cover direct tuition payments for over 400 dislocated workers to seek retraining and higher education so that they can competitively rejoin the workforce.

It is easy to talk about cuts when just considering the numbers, but in our region it is the faces of the dislocated workers from Hon or GE that these cuts really impact. But the impact is greater than just these individuals. It has a significant impact on the future competitiveness of the entire region through the direct wages, the new jobs created, and the employers that are able to hire more highly skilled workers.

At a recent Roundtable of CEOs, the Top 25 employers in the Owensboro region identified workforce development, education and training to develop a more highly skilled workforce as the TOP competitiveness issue in the region. Cuts to WIA undermine what the business community needs to be competitive in the future.

To sign a national letter in support of WIA funding please visit http://www.nawb.org/portals/0/NationalLetter.pdf or visit the National Association of Workforce Investment Boards Facebook site.

EDC seeking Project Manager focusing on Private Investment efforts in Downtown Owensboro

2011-02-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation is seeking a Project Manager to coordinate investment attraction efforts for downtown Owensboro. Qualifications: Bachelor’s or advanced degree required. Experience and/or education in planning, urban development and/or business development preferred. Competitive compensation based on applicant’s experience and qualifications. Submit cover letter and resume to edc@owensboro.com

News Conference on Senate Bill 151

2011-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Economic Development and Business Groups such as KAN stand in opposition of Senate Bill 151

2011-02-23T07:36:00.000-08:00

The Kentucky Aluminum Network, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, along with the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, the Kentucky Resource Council and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development participated in a joint news conference at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort on Wednesday to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 151.

The legislation proposes a change in the make-up of Kentucky’s Public Service Commission by increasing the number of commissioners from three to seven and making them elected positions instead of appointed.

“This model has been used in 13 other states and brought instability in the utility markets by politicizing the process of reviewing rate cases brought before the commission,” said Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Adkisson.

EDC President Nick Brake said this bill is a concern for the energy companies and heavy industrial electric users in the region such as Rio Tinto Alcan and Century Aluminum.

Adkisson provided remarks from the state Chamber during the conference. Also speaking were Greg Higdon, Kentucky Association of Manufacturers; Tom FitzGerald, Kentucky Resources Council; Mike Mangeot, Kentucky Association of Economic Development. Mike Baker attended the event representing the Kentucky Aluminum Network.

EDC Tracking Several Bills of Interest to Economic Development in the 2011 Kentucky General Assembly Session

2011-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation is working closely with counterparts around the state on several bills in the Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfort this session.

Two bills of interest would provide additional tools for job attraction and retention. House Bill 448 would create an individual angel investor tax credit program to attract investment capital to small and startup companies to spur job creation. A similar program already exists in 27 states. The program would provide incentives to investors or investment funds that put money into startup and emerging companies focused on high technology or new proprietary technology.

"This bill would benefit companies, investors, and all Kentuckians," said EDC President Nick Brake. " A transferable tax credit like this would kick-start emerging companies and help them create jobs," said Brake. Companies such as the small biotech or other startup firms attracted to Owensboro's life science efforts or the Centre for Business and Research would be prime targets for this type of program.

The second is House Bill 462 which broadens and expands the job retention efforts that were part of the Kentucky Revitalization Act (KRA) to headquarters, office, service, and technology companies. Currently the KRA is applicable only to manufacturing jobs.

"Our competition is enhancing job retention efforts through tax credits to preserve tax and employment base in the state," said Brake. "This enhanced tool for job retention can spur reinvestment and even job growth through consolidation. The goal of job retention should apply to segments of the state economy in addition to manufacturing such as headquarter, service and technology companies with 200 or more employees," said Brake.

Brake and EDC Executive Vice President and Emerging Ventures Director Madison Silvert will be in Frankfort twice this week advocating legislation that benefits job growth and retention.

For more information about this or other economic development legislation, click on the bills above or visit the Kentucky Legislature Home Page.

Owensboro Area Students show interest in Science, Technology, and Engineering Academy

2011-02-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

Maintaining a competitive workforce for the future is a major objective of the Community Campus program established last year as a partnership between local high schools, the Owensboro Community and Technical College and the EDC.

A major area of focus is in advanced manufacturing and engineering. The The Science, Technology and Engineering Academy, part of Community Campus, provides high school students with a rigorous curriculum aligned to careers in advanced manufacturing as well as four engineering programs at Kentucky universities. Students in the academy receive both high school and college credit.

Interest in the program is exceeding initial expectations. After pre-enrollment nearly 70 students from the participating high schools in Daviess and Hancock counties had signed up for the academy.

For more information on the Science, Technology, and Engineering Academy visit the following link on the OCTC website: http://www.octc.kctcs.edu/Academics/Discover_College/~/media/Owensboro/Academics/Discover%20College/PLTW.ashx

EDC Video: Viral Marketing Effort focusing on Attracting Businesses and Talent to Region

2011-02-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC) launched the first in a series of new community videos as part of a marketing effort that will target the attraction of new businesses, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and college students to the region.

EDC President/CEO Nick Brake said the first edition of the video highlights Owensboro as a small town with big city amenities. “It is part of an aggressive viral marketing effort including social media promoting the region to new potential residents and investors,” said Brake.

The first version of the video highlights the four colleges in the community for use as a tool to recruit college students to the region. Additional videos will focus on business and entrepreneurship, young professionals, family life in Owensboro, and the region as a destination for retirees.

The video was produced by Owensboro-based Fleck Media. Dave Docimo, Creative Director and owner said it was an honor to develop a concept that supports our hometown. “Our goal was to show Owensboro in a new light. We wanted culture, education, and livability to be strong themes throughout,” said Docimo. “We wanted to give the viewer a sense that there is a lot more to discover here.”

The video can be viewed on the EDC website (edc.owensboro.com) or on the Owensboro EDC YouTube channel at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2evaIvNHQ

The video incorporates social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The EDC encourages all that view to participate in the viral marketing effort by sending it to at least five people from out of town.

EDC LAUNCHES MARKETING EFFORT WITH NEW COMMUNITY VIDEO

2011-02-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

EDC recognizing Owensboro Existing Businesses at February Chamber Breakfast

2011-02-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation will recognize the role that existing businesses play in the overall vitality of the region as a sponsor of the February Chamber Rooster Booster breakfast. Healthy communities have strong, healthy businesses. The creation of an on-going existing business program is a key strategy to creating wealth and opportunity for the region.

Support for existing businesses is a top priority, since a majority of the new jobs in any given region are created by existing companies. EDC partners with local businesses and industries to remain engaged in our community, assist them with expansion projects, and increase their competitiveness in the wider marketplace. Since 2009 the EDC have worked 26 projects bringing over $100 million in new investment to the region creating 1,110 new jobs. This volume more than doubled our share of projects statewide compared to previous years.

The GO-EDC Industry Advantage Program involves partnerships among public and private organizations including the following:

State and Local Incentives- programs exist to help firms grow and retain jobs as well as providing workforce training for new or existing employees, for more information please contact Becky McCubbins at the EDC.

Workforce Solutions- Demographic experts tell us that meeting employers' future workforce needs is the number one challenge for businesses across the economic spectrum. Collaboration is critical among workforce partners to successfully address the full scope of workforce challenges within a community. The EDC has taken workforce development strategy to the next level through a community-wide partnerships with groups such as the Green River Workforce Investment Board, the Department of Employment Services, and the Owensboro Community and Technical College. These partners work to analyze and revitalize existing workforce strategies, identify and address workforce gaps, and work together to seamlessly provide the strongest workforce solutions for companies that choose to make the Greater Owensboro area their home.

OwensboroWorks.com-- is a web-based regional talent pool of more than 5,500 potential employees organized in an interactive, user-friendly database. Employers can search for potential candidates based on specific criteria, and job seekers post their experiences all free of charge.

GO-iNTERN is an additional resource provided to local businesses. Employers can post internship opportunities at intern.owensboro.com free of charge. For more information on any of these programs, please contact GO-EDC at 270-926-4339.

Last Chance to Sign Up for EDC's Economic Development Academy, Sessions Begin Thursday, January 27

2011-01-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

This is the last chance to sign up for the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation's inaugural Economic Development Citizen Academy. The Academy will kick off on Thursday, January 27, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Commerce Center. Topics for the first session include an overview of the Owensboro economy and new business attraction strategies employed by the EDC to attract new business into the region.

The Academy is an effort to continue to encourage public involvement and understanding of economic development. EDC President/CEO Nick Brake said over 30 citizens have already signed up for the program, but spaces remain.

The Academy will meet on February 17 and March 17. For more information or to sign up visit http://edc.owensboro.com/about/Citizen_Academy or call 926-4339.

WKU- EDC Announce Owensboro-Based Applied Research Programs

2011-01-18T06:51:00.000-08:00

The Centre for Business and Research

Western Kentucky University President Dr. Gary Ransdell and Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation President/CEO Nice Brake today announced an economic development partnership creating Owensboro-based applied research programs in plant biotechnology and food science with lab space at the Centre for Business and Research where full-time WKU-Owensboro faculty can successfully interface with existing companies and to help foster new startup companies in the region.

Ransdell said the partnership is part of the Memorandum of Agreement between WKU, the Daviess County Fiscal Court, and GO-EDC committed to exploring opportunities for applied research programs that fit the Owensboro economy and can positively impact economic development. “Our priority at WKU is for our faculty to work to identify and solve problems that help drive economic development and improve quality of life in the communities we serve,” Ransdell said. “This partnership matches our faculty’s strengths with Owensboro’s needs, and I’m pleased for WKU to be a partner with GO-EDC in the Centre for Business and Research.”

GO-EDC President/CEO Nick Brake said the Owensboro Centre for Business and Research is a business accelerator modeled, in part, on the successful program at WKU through their innovation center program at an old shopping mall. “A hallmark of the success in Bowling Green is the connections with WKU applied research programs also located in that incubator,” said Brake. “We hope to replicate some of that success here focusing on the unique strengths in the Owensboro economy.”

The Centre for Business and Research is a 38,000 square-foot business incubation and research center located in a newly renovated 100-year-old tobacco warehouse converted into office and research space supporting high tech development in food science, plant biotechnology, and life science companies. The Centre currently has two tenants. Economic development officials are negotiating leases with three other companies. The Centre will officially open in March, when science wet lab space is completed.

EDC optimistic about projects that await in 2011

2011-01-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation!

We are enthusiastic about the projects that await us in 2011, hopefully the volume of activity will rival the past two years.

Since 2009 EDC have worked 26 projects bringing over $100 million in new investment to the region creating 1,110 new jobs. This volume more than doubled our share of projects statwide compared to previous years.

The following are projects that we are working on as we start 2011:

It will be a big year for the Centre for Business and Research, our business incubation facility will officially open this spring. We have already surpassed our goal of having three tenants the first year of operation. We fully expect to have at least five by the end of 2011.
The EDC will continue to work on lead generation activities locally and through our partnership with Kentucky United at the state level. We are currently in the middle of a lead generation campaign focusing on logistics and distribution centers. We will also focus on food manufacturing and back office operations this year.
We will continue to make our work with existing businesses a high priority. The EDC is currently working on several existing business expansion and retention projects that should be announced in 2011.
The EDC will be launching a couple of campaigns in 2011 focusing on talent attraction. The first campaign, which will feature a new community video, is part of a partnership between the EDC and local colleges to attract new college students to the region.
This month the EDC is launching the first ever "Economic Development Citizen's Academy," an effort to encourage public involvement and understanding of the economic development process. The Academy begins on January 27. For more information visit the Citizen Academy page of the EDC website.

We hope you have a prosperous 2011!

Owensboro's Unifirst Featured on CBS Celebrity Boss

2011-01-10T06:54:00.001-08:00

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/video/?pid=2R8lJzQ8rmzwqjQM8JVAIRFXpshKfdCc

January 6, 2011 State of the City Presentation

2011-01-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

EDC releases Dates for Inaugural Economic Development Citizen Academy

2010-12-21T09:27:00.000-08:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation has released the schedule for the inaugural Economic Development Citizen Academy. The schedule is as follows:

January 27, 2011 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Commerce Center- topics include an overview of the Owensboro economy and new business attraction

February 17, 2011 6:30 to 8:30 at the Advanced Technology Center at OCTC- topics include existing industry retention and workforce development

March 17, 2011 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Centre for Business and Research- topics include business startup and incubation and placemaking

The Academy is an effort to continue to encourage public involvement and understanding of economic development. EDC President/CEO Nick Brake said over 20 citizens have already signed up for the program, but spaces remain.

The program is modeled on the successful Citizen Academy programs used by the City of Owensboro and the Owensboro Police Department.

The sessions will offer comprehensive insight into the strategies and ideas of modern economic development. Participants will get a behind the scenes view of the economic development process, dialogue with leaders from local businesses about the regional economy and visit amenities such as the Centre for Business and Research.

The EDC anticipates offering the academy program annually. For more information or to sign up for the Economic Development Citizen’s Academy visit http://edc.owensboro.com/about/Citizen_Academy or call 926-4339.

OMHS "healthy" and growing contributor to the Owensboro economy

2010-12-10T14:45:00.000-08:00

Owensboro Medical Health System is in stronger financial shape than it was a year ago, according to the consolidated financial statement released at its annual Report to the Community on Wednesday morning at the HealthPark.

OMHS showed a profit of $40.1 million in the fiscal year ending May 31, up $27 million from $13 million profit the previous fiscal year. Additionally, OMHS' investment portfolio showed an increase of $56 million as the market improved over the previous year.

Hospital officials also gave an update into the construction of their new facility on the east side of town. Concrete was recently poured on the second story and workers say they're on schedule to finish in early 2013.

Jeff Barber, the hospital's CEO says they have more than 3,200 employees, but that number should go up dramatically once the new facility is complete.

Kentucky United Meets with Site Selectors in Indianapolis

2010-12-07T10:34:00.001-08:00

Kentucky United, a partnership of local economic development agencies and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, hosted a meeting of site selectors recently in Indianapolis.

Site selectors are consultants that assist companies in finding a competitive location of company relocations or expansions.

Larry Hayes, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development spoke to the group at lunch. "Kentucky is open for business and willing to work hard to help meet the needs of new or growing companies."

Nick Brake, President of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation said the event was well attended. "We took the opportunity to promote many of the good things going on in Kentucky and our local communities to site consultants from several nationally respected firms."

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:E Maryland St,Indianapolis,United States

Farmers Market Moving Downtown

2010-12-07T06:41:00.001-08:00

OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) - The farmers market in Owensboro may move to a new location that officials say will make it more convenient and provide a better shopping experience.

The same consultants conducting a feasibility study on the Bluegrass Museum will also make a site plan on moving the Farmer's Market Downtown.

City leaders say they are looking into having the market on the north end of the state office building property.

One idea is to build a long pavilion with a canopy. County officials discussed funding the project $25,000 to get electricity and water lines to the facility once built.

Other funding will come from the state and ag-extension agency. The industrial development authority believes moving the farmer's market downtown will draw big crowds and become an asset to downtown's environment.

Many shoppers say the market's current location on old Hartford road is too far away.

Owensboro resident Shawn McHenry says, "It's kind of far out and it's really not accessible to a lot of people here in town and I think downtown it's on more of a bus route and for people that can walk can get to it."

Owensboro resident John Storm says, "I live on third street so it's not that far from my house anyway so it would be a great location for me."

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Kentucky Export Initiative Designed to Increase Exports among Small and Medium Sized Businesses

2010-12-03T13:24:00.000-08:00

Gov. Steve Beshear announced the launch of the Governor’s Kentucky Export Initiative, an initiative designed to increase exporting activity among small and medium-sized businesses. The statewide program, which is loosely modeled on the National Export Initiative announced earlier this year, will leverage the existing efforts of Kentucky’s leading international trade organizations, as well as create new opportunities for education and market exploration.

“For many small businesses, accessing markets outside the United States, which represents 95 percent of the world’s customers and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power, is a key element to growth and prosperity,” said Gov. Beshear. “With the right assistance and guidance, many more Kentucky companies can grow and create jobs through beginning or expanded exporting activity. Our goal is to provide that needed assistance through the Kentucky Export Initiative.”

The Kentucky Export Initiative is composed of six alliance members, all engaged in providing international trade assistance and expertise to Kentucky businesses. They include: the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; the Kentucky World Trade Center; the U.S. Department of Commerce; the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; the Northern Kentucky International Trade Association; and the U.S. Chamber’s TradeRoots program. Additionally, a growing list of strategic partners will work with the alliance members to further support the initiative.

Alliance members and strategic partners will join forces to educate qualified small and medium-sized businesses about the impact of exporting, as well as provide information on new markets; identify potential distributors, agents and end-users; and assist with compliance, logistics, legal issues and more.

“We are grateful for the support of the Appalachian Regional Commission and look forward to working together to make sure that Kentucky’s Appalachian companies have the opportunities they need to be successful in the global marketplace,” added Gov. Beshear.

Informational seminars will be held in various communities beginning in January 2011, followed by a series of in-depth training programs on the fundamentals of exporting. Additional information about the Governor’s Kentucky Export Initiative, including details on upcoming events can be found at www.kyexports.com.

AT&T Announces Service Enhancement and Investment in Region

2010-12-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

Officials from AT&T AT&T will join officials from the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and other community leaders to announce investments and service enhancements being made in the Greater Owensboro region.

The announcement will take place on Monday, December 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Centre for Business and Research at 1010 Allen Street in Owensboro. The public is invited.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Greater-Owensboro-Economic-Development-Corp-.html?soid=1102418495173&aid=ZtIfzXQQNDs

Building Demolition gives Owensboro a "Clean Site" on the Ohio River

2010-12-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

The buildings on the Green River Steel site were recently demolished

The 91 acre Ohio River site in Owensboro that was once the Green River Steel Mill is now a clean site ready for development.

The Owensboro Riverport Authority, the owner of the property on the east side of Owensboro, recently had three massive buildings demolished and removed.

The Riverport also completed environmental remediation on the property to enhance the marketability of the location for industrial development.

The site offers river and rail access to the CSX main line. It is directly off of US Highway 60 and less than a mile from an interchange to the Interstate 65- Interstate 64 Connector, currently under construction.

More information about the site is available at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/edis/PDF/Site/AM059-005.pdf

Workforce Aligned High School Academies

2010-12-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

Community Campus: Workforce Aligned Academies

Economic and Education Leaders Create Workforce-Aligned Academies

2010-11-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Leaders from regional school districts and the Owensboro Community and Technical College will join economic development officials, regional employers and community leaders to kick off the Community Campus program, an innovative high school reform model that will create five workforce-aligned academies utilizing the community as the campus.

The five workforce academies are in Health and Life Sciences; Construction, Trades and Energy; Science, Technology and Engineering; Business and Entrepreneurship; and the Arts.

The announcement will take place on Monday, November 29 at 10 a.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Owensboro Community and Technical College. A meeting of parents and students interested in participating in one of the five academies will take place on Monday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m. in Blandford Lecture Hall at OCTC.

Owensboro Unemployment at Lowest Level in Two Years

2010-11-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

The Owensboro MSA monthly unemployment rate in September dropped to 8.6 percent, the lowest level since December 2008. At its peak during the recession, regional unemployment hit 11 percent, but remained lower than the state and national levels throughout most of the recession.

"We are starting to see the effects of much of the positive economic activity from earlier in the year," said EDC President/CEO Nick Brake. "We are in the midst of a building boom with multiple private and public projects that are putting people to work in construction. Much of this construction will translate to jobs in the coming year in the financial industry and health care."

According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate for September was 9.1 percent. The rate for Kentucky was 9.8 percent.

Despite the Bumpy Economy it is a Year to be Thankful in Owensboro

2010-11-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

US Bank Construction in Mid America Airpark

While the national recession has reared its ugly head in Owensboro through 2010, on the balance this thanksgiving is a time to be thankful that our region is prospering with an unprecedented wave of building projects spurring economic activity, job creation, and enthusiasm that will hopefully translate into more good news in 2011.

The nearly $1 billion worth of construction projects currently underway include the following:

KBP Expansion

the construction of the new US Bank Mortgage Processing Center in the Mid-America Airpark that will add 500 jobs in 2011;
the new OMHS, which will add at least 300 health care workers in the coming years;
an addition to Kentucky BioProcessing, part of the $17 million contract with the Department of Defense;
the $37 million completion of the US 60 bypass, which provide a four lane connection between I-64 and I-65;
a new National Guard Armory at the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport;

New Hospital Construction

the $40 million riverfront development project, which coupled with the $79 million locally funded downtown revitalization package will totally transform the riverfront and downtown Owensboro in the coming years.

Riverfront Development Project

All total these projects are creating 10,000 construction jobs this year and in 2011. Happy Thanksgiving!

U of L and Owensboro working together - 14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-

2010-11-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

U of L and Owensboro working together - 14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-

Bill Monroe, bluegrass music and Owensboro to be featured on Times Square billboard

2010-11-12T14:43:00.001-08:00

OWENSBORO, Ky. — The late father of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, will be playing soon in New York's Times Square to promote the Kentucky celebration of the centennial of his birth.
The convention and visitors bureau for Owensboro and Daviess County, Ky., is putting a 15-second ad on a digital full-motion billboard on New York's 42nd Street.

Visitors bureau executive director Karen Miller told the Messenger-Inquirer of Owensboro that the spot will feature Monroe, bluegrass music and Owensboro and will run 18 times a day for 48 days at a cost of $15,000.

It will run from Nov. 15 to Jan. 1, times that will cover the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration.

Online: Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau's new website, www.BillMonroe100birthday.com.

Owensboro Job Retention Gives City National Marks - NEWS 25 WEHT Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

2010-11-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

Owensboro Job Retention Gives City National Marks - NEWS 25 WEHT Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Owensboro’s KBP is building a biotech mousetrap

2010-11-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

In his "Beyond 5 Percent" Blog, OMHS President Dr. Jeff Barber offered some excellent insight about the work of Kentucky BioProcessing in creating a plant pharmaceutical cluster in Owensboro:

To paraphrase the famous quotation, Owensboro’s KBP is building a better biotech mousetrap, and it looks like the world may soon beat a path right to its door. In fact, large corporations, international governments, and even the U.S. Department of Defense are already knocking. I am confident KBP will succeed, and when that happens, we could be witnessing the birth of a new industry in our region, one that could completely reinvent the local economy. Here’s what my friend and colleague Hugh Haydon, KBP chair, says about this endeavor.

“I’m convinced that this venture is about more than KBP or OMHS. It’s about Owensboro demonstrating the vision and ability to establish a foothold in a very significant industrial sector, the way other areas built an automobile industry or Silicon Valley.”

Bold thoughts, indeed, but take a look at what KBP is doing, and you’ll see why the future seems so optimistic.

The next generation of drugs and vaccines, forecasts say, will increasingly utilize proteins derived from various biological production systems. In fact, a version of the tobacco plant so long associated with our region is the basis for just such a system. This plant is already playing a key role as researchers discover new ways to produce critical proteins through the use of genetic enhancements.

But here’s the challenge: should a breakthrough discovery be made or a vaccine be invented, how would you harvest proteins on a scale large enough for mass production? Lab results are wonderful, but replicating them on a commercial scale presents a completely different challenge, one that is usually time-consuming and extremely expensive.

Click here too read the rest of Dr. Barber's Blog.

Architect chosen for convention center

2010-10-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Virginia Beach Convention Center designed by Trahan Architects

The architectural firm that led the $200 million renovation of the Louisiana Superdome after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and also designed the $212 million Virginia Beach Convention Center was selected Thursday to design the downtown Owensboro convention and events center.

Trahan Architects of Baton Rogue, La., and Chicago was chosen from among 26 firms that sought to design the $27 million Owensboro facility that will sit near the Ohio River on the site of the former Executive Inn Rivermont.

Trahan's fee has not been determined. Negotiations to determine how much money Trahan will be paid to design the building, either on a percentage of construction cost or flat fee basis, will begin now and take up to six weeks to complete, Downtown Development Director Fred Reeves said.

But Trahan will actually begin working on the convention center design immediately, Reeves said.

At a meeting Thursday morning at City Hall, the Downtown Events Center Steering Committee voted unanimously to recommend Trahan to design the facility. Immediately following that meeting, the Owensboro-Daviess County Industrial Development Authority met and approved the steering committee's recommendation.

Trey Trahan, principal architect in charge, Leigh Breslau, project architect, and Brad McWhirter, project manager, all of Trahan, were on hand for the meeting. David Gamble, principal architect of the urban design firm Gamble Associates of Boston, and Edward Kruger, architect and project manager for Bravura Architects of Louisville, were also at the meeting.

Gamble Associates, which specializes in urban design, and Bravura are among the several firms that will team with Trahan on the Owensboro project. Bravura has a history with several downtown Louisville projects.

Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire, chairman of the steering committee and a member of the subcommittee that recommended Trahan to the full committee, said Trahan was the clear choice of the subcommittee.

Four firms were brought to Owensboro for interviews.

"At the end of two days, the subcommittee was unanimous for this firm," Haire said. "We were extremely excited and energized by them."

Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne, a subcommittee member, echoed Haire. "This is a very exciting day," Payne said. "We are finally launching a project to replace the Executive Inn Rivermont and put something back on the river."

Barry Alberts, managing partner of CityVisions, the consulting firm that is assisting the steering committee throughout the planning and construction of the convention and events center, praised the selection of Trahan. "You really did find a firm that was right for your aspirations," he said.

Breslau, who led the design work on Millennium Park in Chicago, said the design for the convention center would be done by the fall of next year, making it possible to put the project out for construction bids in early 2012.

"We understand the urgency of the project," Breslau said. "As early as the fall of 2011 our documents will be complete. ... That is quick."

Trey Trahan said the team his company has assembled will focus on authentic architecture that reflects the identity of the community.

"We believe in embedding ourselves in the community with real, authentic architecture that is informed by the people," he said. "It will truly represent the community."

Breslau said the company intends to learn more about the area's history, culture, ecosystem, environment, important and historic buildings, the downtown revitalization project, traffic patterns and parking as it develops a design unique to Owensboro.

Trahan did not list any local partners, while some other firms did, Haire said. But Haire said the preparation Trahan put in gave it an advantage.

"With their ties to the southern part of the United States and their Chicago involvement ... we have some of the brightest individuals in the country to make this project succeed," he said.

Reeves would not identify the other three finalists for the design contract. Only one of the 26 proposals had a local firm playing a lead role, but several of the proposals contained involvement of local companies.

Breslau led the design team for the 1.3-million-square-foot Zhongshan International Exhibition Center in southern China, the $254 million McCormick Place Phase 2 convention center expansion plan in Chicago (1.6 million square feet), the 800,000-sqaure-foot Suzhou, China, International Expo Center and the 558,000-square-foot Tanguu Hotel and Conference Center in Tianjin, China.

CityVisions and partner consulting firm ConsultEcon of Boston have recommended a convention center containing up to 138,350 square feet and featuring a 40,000-square-foot, dividable convention space, four ballrooms totaling 14,000 square feet, a room overlooking the Ohio River and a lecture hall with tiered seating.

The request for qualifications from architects contained six specific goals for the convention center. They are:

* To create a highly competitive public assembly venue that will provide modern, state-of-the-art meeting and exhibition facilities superior to comparable communities in the region and attract the potential markets as specified in the feasibility study.

* To contribute to the transformation of the former Executive Inn site and reconnect this portion of downtown with the river.

* To institute a strong visual and pedestrian axis along Veterans Boulevard to the RiverPark Center that reinforces the downtown core.

* To serve as an icon for the community that celebrates the vision, vitality and progress of Owensboro's downtown revitalization.

* To optimize the efficiency of the facility's operations and maintenance.

* To emphasize sustainability and environmentally responsible construction and operational materials and systems.

Editorial: Insight Needed into Economic Efforts

2010-10-23T07:15:00.001-07:00

Messenger-Inquirer Editorial, October 23, 2010:

The economic downturn has turned up the rhetoric this campaign season about job creation through economic development -- even more so than during a typical year. Owensboro and Daviess County have fared better than many similar communities during this recession, though has still suffered from job loss and the sagging economy.

Economic development is a broad term that encompasses everything from direct incentives to bring companies to an area to more indirect methods that encourage the development or retention of businesses. Elected officials and candidates routinely state that economic development is a priority, but often that assertion is accompanied by few specifics.

Though generally agreed upon as the top goal for any community, many in the public know little about what generally and specifically economic development entails, or how to go about spurring on the economy, encouraging job growth and actively recruiting business.

That makes a new citizens academy established by the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. an asset for this community and its understanding of how to approach economic development. EDC officials announced this week they will mirror citizens academy programs at the city and the Owensboro Police Department, with sessions beginning in January.

Because economic development is a diverse and broad field, any effort that better explains the processes this community uses to help propel the economy and encourage job creation is a benefit. Hopefully the sessions will offer more in-depth explanations of programs and processes like the ones used to help bring a new U.S. Bank Home Mortgage facility to Owensboro and with it up to 500 jobs. The public would do well to understand the variety of factors that go into promoting job creation and the attraction of new companies, like those factors at work in the downtown master plan and the "place-making" initiative.

Many of the deals worked out between the EDC and private businesses take place away from the public eye, often for good reason. Economic development officials frequently hold back details as deals are in the works -- perhaps unnecessarily sometimes -- and there is frequently little public understanding of how these deals are crafted.

But these deals routinely involve the use of the public's tax dollars, and this academy can bring a greater understanding to the public of why such incentives are needed, how the public investment is determined, and what the long-term payoff might be. At the very least, the opportunity for the public to learn more about economic development is likely to generate more interest in these activities in the future.

Economic development has changed in the past several decades, with a shift in focus away from attracting large-scale industrial companies as the economy itself has changed.

"Economic development" will continue to be a popular catch phrase, particularly for those running for office. A program like this can help ensure voters can better challenge candidates on what they mean by economic development, and how to bring it about.

This new citizens academy program should allow the public to better understand how this community can adapt to a changing economy, and can encourage residents to be more involved in the broader economic goals of where they live.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Owensboro’s Share of New Kentucky Jobs, Investment and Economic Development Projects Increases

2010-10-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

Greater Owensboro’s share of Kentucky economic development projects, jobs created and investment has increased over the past five years, according to data collected from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for the 2010 “We the People” Town Meeting.

Since 2006 the region has had 51 projects that have created 2,859 jobs and brought $301 million in new investment. The region's share of projects compared to the rest of the state increased by 31 percent since 2006 when compared to the first five years of the decade.

The Owensboro region share of jobs increased by 104 percent from 2.4 percent share of all new Kentucky jobs from 2000-2005 to 4.9 percent of all jobs created in Kentucky since 2006. The area's share of investment during that same time increased by 72 percent.

New manufacturing locations have declined statewide this decade compared to the last, yet Owensboro's share of new manufacturing jobs and new plants has remained the same from 2000-2010 compared to the 1990s.

In Kentucky overall, new manufacturing locations went from 727 projects in the 1990s to 342 projects since 2000. Owensboro’s share remained relatively constant, from 21 projects in the 1990s (2.8% of all state projects) to 9 since 2000 (2.6% of state projects.

Owensboro's share of new manufacturing jobs from 2006-2010 compared to the first five years of the decade remained steady at around 3 percent share of all new manufacturing jobs in Kentucky.
The data on economic development projects was collected by the EDC from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, KBIIS Location/Expansion Database available at think.kentucky.com. The data collected for the Greater Owensboro region include counties where the EDC markets industrial property, including Daviess, Hancock, and Ohio counties.

Funding for economic development in Owensboro has increased in the past five years, including higher levels of private investment. Despite these increases, funding for economic development in Owensboro is still lower than most of Owensboro’s peer and benchmark regions.

In the past five years, the EDC budget has increased from $348,000 in 2005-2006 to nearly $600,000 in 2010-2011. Private investment has doubled from $100,000 in 2006 to $190,000 in 2010. The EDC has also succeeded in obtaining state funding for the newly created eMerging Ventures Innovation Center, which is part of the state network of 13 innovation and commercialization centers focusing on business startup and high tech development.

A survey, conducted by the EDC, of the economic development funding of Owensboro’s 10 peer and benchmark regions indicated that EDC ranked 7th in overall funding. The average level of funding for the 10 regions, including Owensboro, is $829,000 annually, compared to the 2010 EDC budget of $596,000. The top two regions were Dubuque, IA and Kokomo, IN which spend $1.7 million and $1.3 million respectively on economic development each year.

Despite the funding challenges, Owensboro ranked among the top of its peers in five year job growth (3rd), job growth over the past year (3rd), and the retention of manufacturing jobs (2nd).

To access the complete report on Kentucky Business Location and Expansion Data and Economic Development Funding, please visit http://edc.owensboro.com/data/Reports_Documents_and_Data

Survey shows more than half of Kentucky manufacturers plan to hire in 2011

2010-10-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2010) — Gov. Beshear today announced that 57 percent of Kentucky manufacturers surveyed for the recently conducted 2010 Annual Manufacturing Wage and Benefits Survey said they are planning to hire between one and 19 employees in 2011, a 16 percent jump from last year’s results. The annual report, sponsored by the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet’s Department of Workforce Investment and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM), was released today.

“The results of this survey are good news for Kentucky businesses and Kentucky families,” said Gov. Beshear. “Growth in the manufacturing industry will be critical to Kentucky recovering from the global economic crisis, and this survey shows that manufacturers find Kentucky a positive place to do business. In addition, businesses across Kentucky are able to maintain or add new jobs by taking advantage of the new incentives the state offers under my administration.”

The survey showed that, for the first time, the average annual wage of manufacturing employees in Kentucky broke the $50,000 mark. Manufacturing employees made an average of $51,771 in 2010, up from $48,277 in the 2008-2009 survey, for an increase of 7.2 percent. Compared to 2010, the average annual manufacturing wage has jumped from $34,736 in 2000, and it has increased each year since 2000. Sixty-three percent of the 177 manufacturing job categories recorded a higher average wage in the 2010 survey.

“The fact that wages went up 7.2 percent from the last survey was a positive surprise,” said Shawn Herbig, president of IQS Research. “It shows that employers are working to keep the staff they have by compensating them appropriately.”

IQS Research of Louisville collaborated with KAM on the development of the wage and benefits survey for Kentucky’s manufacturing community. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, South Central Kentucky Regional Economic Development Partnership and the Central Kentucky Career Center also supported the survey this year.

“The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) clearly understands the importance of helping the Commonwealth’s manufacturing community control costs, especially when making hiring and promotion decisions,” stated Greg Higdon, KAM president & CEO. “KAM's 99th annual Wage & Benefits Survey Report is a valuable tool manufacturers can use in their efforts to compensate employees in a fair and competitive manner.”

“This study represents more than 31,000 salary and hourly manufacturing employees and 202 companies in Kentucky. It gives us a valuable snapshot of what is happening and helps us measure the vitality of the sector in Kentucky. It shows that manufacturing is moving forward cautiously from the recession and making plans to hire in the next year, which is a positive,” said Beth Brinly, commissioner of the Department of Workforce Investment.

In addition to the statewide report, the Department of Workforce Investment worked with KAM to produce a set of regional reports. The information gives manufacturers timely and accurate wage and benefits information such as paid vacation and sick time, health insurance and overtime pay when making hiring and promotion decisions.

To conduct the survey, IQS Research e-mailed invitations to Kentucky manufacturers. Information was collected and compiled during July and August 2010. The number of companies participating in the report rose from 147 in the last survey to 202 this year. Of the employers who participated, 55 percent said that they had fewer than 100 employees. All of the information provided in the report is in aggregate form, so as to not identify individual companies.

In addition to wage and benefits information, for the first time in the survey’s 99-year history questions were included about green jobs and what Kentucky manufacturers are doing or planning to do to make companies more environmentally friendly.

The number of companies that are currently producing green products is 43 percent, while 40 percent are in the process of developing new green products. In addition, 69 percent of employers are educating and training their workforce on ways to use energy more efficiently, reduce pollution, conserve natural resources and be more cost effective.

“The survey found some very interesting trends happening in green jobs across the state. This study indicates that Kentucky manufacturers are recognizing the importance of green technology and manufacturing for future growth and that’s exciting,” said Brinly.

Questions about benefits showed that 80 percent of the companies provide nine or more paid holidays per year. Health insurance was offered by about 97 percent of employers surveyed.

Companies were also asked about hiring temporary workers. About 68 percent of the employers currently use temporary staff as compared to 65 percent in the last report. In the 2010 survey, about 41 percent said they plan to hire temporary workers in the future as compared to 3.4 percent of employers surveyed in the last report.

The manufacturing sector employs more than 212,000 people in Kentucky as of August 2010, according to the Department of Workforce Investment.

Visit www.KAManufacturers.com or call 502-352-2485 for information on how to purchase a copy of the 2010 KAM Wage and Benefits Survey report.

EDC encourages Public Involvement with Economic Development Citizen Academy

2010-10-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

In an effort to continue to encourage public involvement and understanding of economic development, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation will launch an Economic Development Citizen’s Academy this winter.

The program is modeled on the successful Citizen Academy programs used by the City of Owensboro and the Owensboro Police Department. The Economic Development Citizen Academy will consist of three two-hour sessions scheduled from January to March 2011.

“The board and staff of the EDC are very committed to public participation in the economic development,” said EDC Board Chair Rod Kuegel. “This Citizen Academy is a direct outgrowth of the public process we used in creating our most recent strategic plan. The EDC currently has a greater level of public input and participation than any other time in the history of the organization.”

The sessions will offer comprehensive insight into the strategies and ideas of modern economic development. Participants will get a behind the scenes view of the economic development process, dialogue with leaders from local businesses about the regional economy and visit amenities such as the Centre for Business and Research.

“Economic development has evolved and changed significantly over the past decade,” said EDC President Nick Brake. “In a more global, yet increasingly networked world, many of these changes mean that the average citizen sitting at the computer screen can be involved in our efforts to promote the region. We are hoping to encourage more citizens to learn about economic development so that we can create ambassadors that can tell our story in a whole new way."

The EDC anticipates offering the academy program annually. For more information or to sign up for the Economic Development Citizen’s Academy visit edc.owensboro.com or call 926-4339.

EDC encourages Public Involvement with Economic Development Citizen Academy

2010-10-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

The EDC anticipates offering the academy program annually. For more information or to sign up for the Economic Development Citizen’s Academy visit edc.owensboro.com or call 926-4339.

Achieving the "Bilbao Effect" in Owensboro

2010-10-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

As community leaders in Owensboro are focusing on the design of the newly planned Downtown Events Center and contemplating ideas for a new version of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, how important is the design of these amenities to the overall success of revitalizing the downtown and the overall region?

Just ask the once declining city of Bilbao, Spain. This sleepy, seaside, former industrial city in Northern Spain gets a new museum housed in a building already called--on its completion at the end of the 20th century--the most important building of the 21st. The museum is Frank Gehry's Guggenheim. Virtually overnight, the small city became one of the most popular destinations in Europe. From all reports, Bilbao is rapidly metamorphosing from a sort of one-hit wonder to a genuinely vibrant city with restaurants, nightlife, theatre, and art. Gehry's radical, shimmering metal building has become a source of immense civic pride.

Called the "Bilbao Effect," great architecture should be the centerpiece of urban space. Whether religious, governmental, commercial, or cultural, buildings define their cities. This is our chance to have a world class building on the world class river that runs through this city. Given the strength of the proposals and the architectural talent from around the country interested in the project-- world class is possible. Such a "Bilbao effect" could benefit the region culturally and economically for a long time to come.

Louisville, Owensboro will cooperate to grow life-science companies

2010-10-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Nucleus, the life-sciences initiative of the University of Louisville Foundation, and Owensboro economic development officials will cooperate to form and grow high-tech and life science companies.

Under an arrangement announced Wednesday, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. will introduce companies interested in aging and long-term care technologies to Nucleus for help analyzing business opportunities. Louisville is home to several major long-term care companies, and Nucleus is establishing the International Center for Long Term Care Innovation in Louisville.

Nucleus will introduce Louisville companies with technologies in the areas of plant-made drugs and food sciences to the Owensboro agency for similar business-growth services.

Hollison Technologies Announces Issuance of Core Patent for Food Safety

2010-10-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

OWENSBORO, KY--(Marketwire - October 6, 2010) - Hollison Technologies, provider of products and services to the food industry to detect and track contaminants in the food supply chain, today announced that it has been awarded US patent number 7,807,344 on October 5, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The patent covers the collection, detection and identification of contaminants in particulate food including food commodities, food intermediates and finished food products. This approach enables the particulate food to be sampled much more effectively and efficiently than the traditional approaches used currently.

The contaminants can be biological, chemical or radiological in nature and may typically include E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, as well as many others, such as aflatoxin.

The technique is applicable to a wide variety of particulate foods including, grains, rice, wheat, finished cereals, dry pet foods, pepper, nuts, spices, and coffee.
About Hollison Technologies

Hollison Technologies is focused on providing breakthrough solutions for ensuring and maintaining food safety. Hollison provides unique products and services for food protection and the detection of contaminants in the food supply chain including, but not limited to, farms, bulk storage facilities, commodity transportation, food processing, food distribution and point of consumption. The company offers capabilities for the protection of the entire food supply chain with the detection and identification of chemical, biological and radiological contamination in food commodities, processed food and beverages. Hollison has developed a proprietary secure web-based food tracking capability for use with its breakthrough sampling and detection technologies to offer complete chain-of-custody information complete with available contamination test data.

Five Key Trends for Local Economic Development

2010-09-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Leo Vazquez, from the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, offered some insight into trends we are likely to see in the world of economic development over the next decade that are worth repeating.

Five Key Trends for Local Economic Development in the 2010s

The arts as engines for the creative and experience economies. According to a report to be published soon by Arts Build Communities, there was a 10% jump in the number of people working in the creative sector between 1998 and 2007. Most are probably not artists, but rather the people whose work supports the arts: administrators, blue-collar workers, manufacturers of creative products. The arts are at the heart of two other growing economic trends -- the creative economy and the experience economy. The creative economy includes scientific innovation and cultural products for export (Think Ipads, Droids and the new medicines you see on TV.) The experience economy includes all those retailers, businesses and places people are willing to pay more money to because of the experience they provide. (That's why the Mall of America has an amusement park in the center, and not just more chain stores.)

To take advantage of this opportunity, consider: Attracting and retaining creative sector professionals through place- and community-building efforts; place marketing efforts; providing more flex space; whether your community feels inviting to creative professionals.

The growth of "free agent" nation. Self-employed workers accounted for about 30% of the job growth in the United States between 1998 and 2008. While the number of employees in businesses grew 10% in that time, the number of self-employed workers grew 26%. (See the County Business Patterns database for more information). In 2008, about 15% of 142.2 million jobs in the United States were held by self-employed workers.

To take advantage of this opportunity, consider: Business assistance and development strategies targeted to micro-entrepreneurs; live-work spaces clustered in downtown settings; cooperatives, and other structures that help businesses share resources.

Ethnic minority communities as emerging markets. Ethnic minority communities had about 23% of the nation's $10.7 trillion in buying power in 2009, according to the Selig Center for Economic Growth. While the total amount of disposable income in the United States had been growing through most of this decade, the buying power of African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and multiracial Americans grew faster than that of non-Hispanic Whites. Those trends are likely to increase as the nation gets more diverse.

To take advantage of this opportunity, consider: Place marketing and business development geared to ethnic communities; developing more culturally competent placebuilding and economic development professionals.

Green industries replacing gray industries. It may be a decade or more before alternative energy producers and manufacturers of green products become a major source of jobs in many communities. Placebuilders who plan for these uses now will have a tremendous advantage. Whether green or gray, industrial uses need large, affordable spaces and the ability to easily move large amounts of goods. (That's why so many 19th and early 20th century factories in city neighborhoods have become loft housing).

To take advantage of this opportunity, consider: Preserving existing industrial and warehousing areas; landbanking; encouraging the transitional use of light industrial spaces as artisan work/live spaces, server farms, or retail/commercial storage facilities.

Transnational communities as market expanders. From classic port-of-entry cities to small farming towns, continued immigration is having a bigger impact on America. One of those impacts is economic: It is easier for money and goods to flow between countries. Communities that participate in transnational economies can significantly expand their market area while minimizing competition with its neighbors. In an age where the Internet and lower costs in other countries are challenging brick-and-mortar American businesses, this is a way for communities of any size to bring more wealth into its borders.

To take advantage of this opportunity, consider: Building relationships with immigrant groups in and around your community; encouraging the use of light industrial facilities for import, export or assembly of materials; promoting community building efforts that make immigrants feel more welcome in a place.

These trends have influenced our work in crafting a new economic development strategy in Owensboro based largely on talent and quality of place.

Click here to read more or follow this blog.

Completion construction of bypass extension to start next spring

2010-09-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the second and final phase of construction on the 2.1 mile U.S. 60 bypass extension will start next spring with a May bid letting. That means the entire project could be done by mid to late 2013.

Phase I construction from U.S. 60 East to Hwy. 144 began last year and is expected to be completed by late 2011. The entire project has been largely funded by federal transportation dollars.

Completion of the bypass extension will open a new 100-mile, four-lane corridor between I-64 in southern Indiana and I-65 near Bowling Green with the summer 2011 opening of the new U.S. 231 in Spencer County, IN, the bypass extension and the existing Natcher Parkway.

Detroit and Economic Development

2010-09-25T12:55:00.001-07:00

I spent the better part of the week in Detroit with several of my economic development colleagues from around Kentucky selling the Bluegrass state to companies in Michigan and Canada. While together with so many economic development pros who have made their life's work helping build and grow communities, we could not help being struck by many of the problems Detroit is experiencing. Let's be clear Detroit is not in an economic downturn, they are in a modern Great Depression of the magnitude of the 1930s.

I have visited several major cities in the past 18 months, no major city looks more beleaguered than Detroit. Nearly one million people have left since Detroit was at it's peak population mid-century. Detroit is the first major US city to see it's population drop below 1 million.

Not a single national grocery chain operates in City today. And perhaps the most recognizable informal measure of disposable income, Detroit has only four Starbucks in the city. By comparison, Owensboro currently has four Starbucks operations.

Mayor David Bing estimates that the real unemployment rate in Detroit is close to 50 percent, since so many have given up trying to find work. Just 10 percent of adults have a college degree, 30 percent are on food stamps. There are an estimated 62,000 vacant lots or uninhabited buildings, the total of which would occupy the entire city of Boston.

Two key development issues have plagued Detroit, both of them are a result of the automobile. The first has been their dependence on that single industry without significant diversification for decades. That dependence also lead the city adopt a development pattern based on the automobile, suburban sprawl. The development handicapped the urban core and created a major void in the center of the city. To crawl back, Detroit will need to focus more on it's center.

Detroit has also suffered because, in the current age of talent and innovation driven economy, their two world class universities are out in the hinterland to the east and west of the city. Pittsburgh was able to successfully reinvent itself from a rust belt steel town to a vibrant and hip city through it's focus on education and quality of place. It did so largely due to Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. Today, this poster child of a blue collar town is more known for it's innovative health care and computer science than it's steel.

Richard Florida in his latest book the Great Reset, highlighted many bright spots for the Greater Detroit region going forward. Despite the challenge of proximity, Michigan and Michigan State are world class universities and still home to some of the best engineers and designers in the automotive industry. The region is pinning much hope on this position as innovator in the automotive industry as it changes in the future.

The region is also looking to become a logistics center, with a truly world class airport--that recently captured a large share of jobs from Kentucky with the expanded Delta hub at DTW.

Finally, it is joining some other prominent cities, including Pittsburgh, in the "shrinking cities" movement, focusing it's future not on growth, but quality. Quality of place through redeveloping blighted properties and quality of education.

These are lessons we are focused on here in Owensboro-- quality of place, cultivating talent, industry diversification and redeveloping the center. Thankfully, despite our challenges, we are ahead of the game--especially compared to rust belt regions large and small like Detroit.

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Owensboro participates in Kentucky United Economic Development Mission to Michigan and Canada

2010-09-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

Through a partnership with KentuckyUnited, GO-EDC recently participated in a marketing mission to Michigan and Canada. The EDC joined with approximately 20 economic development professionals from throughout the Commonwealth and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to meet with site selectors and prospective companies in the Greater Detroit area, other parts of Michigan, northern Ohio, and Canada about the opportunities available in Kentucky, especially in the automotive parts supplier industry.

This is the first Marketing Mission KentuckyUnited has sponsored in the Greater Detroit area. The visits to over 35 companies and site selectors have increased the awareness of the state and given the EDC an opportunity to tell decision makers about Kentucky’s new incentive programs.

The meetings may result in several potential projects, some of which have a direct interest in Owensboro.

Over the next few weeks, GO-EDC will conduct further follow up marketing to these prospective companies and consultants.

Owensboro has a great story to tell and the EDC is committed to getting the word out to businesses on the opportunities available in this region!

For more information about KentuckyUnited visit www.kentuckyunitedonline.org/

Economic Gardening: Growing Jobs by Supporting Entrepreneurs and High Growth Firms

2010-09-22T12:12:00.001-07:00

Economic gardening is a hot topic in economic development practice, and it is not just another passing fad. The idea originated in Littleton, Colorado over 20 years ago.

The program is based on the premise that economies are best grown internally by nurturing high growth firms. Economic gardening has seen a significant amount of success and gained national attention. Economic gardening programs have been implemented in numerous other communities, both large and small; urban and rural. The state of Florida has also adopted this concept as part of a statewide economic growth strategy.

Since 1987 the Littleton job base grew from 15,000 to over 30,000. Their sales tax base expanded from $6 million to over $20 million. In that time, the community has not recruited a single company or spent a penny on incentive packages.

The foundations of economic gardening as a new approach to economic development were built carefully using the best business and economic research and engaging many of the top minds working both in the business world and academia. At its core, economic gardening focuses on the idea that economies are driven by entrepreneurial growth.

From an economic development organization perspective, economic gardening uses three basic rules to support businesses in any given community: providing information, development of infrastructure supporting an entrepreneurial eco-system, and nurturing connections and networks that are critical to business success. In the focus on Stage II companies, the economic development organization must think and act differently in helping businesses use very sophisticated tools including the following:

database searches
geographic information systems
search engine optimization
web marketing
social media and research tools
network mapping

Economic gardening also focuses on front-end strategic issues of businesses, such as

core strategy
market dynamics
marketing
teamwork and human resources
finance

Economic gardening is not a quick fix-- it is not a silver bullet. It is a long-term strategy. It is a lifestyle change rather than a fad diet.

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High Growth, Stage II Companies, Part II

2010-09-21T14:37:00.001-07:00

In the previous blog, we looked at the importance of high growth, Stage II companies as the engines of job creation.

Stage II companies are among the most important in the economy. They are also among the most ignored. They are critical because they are powerhouses when it comes to job creation. Second stage companies are privately held enterprises that have 10 to 99 employees, annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $50 million, and the intent and capacity for further growth.

According to research by youreconomy.org, in 1993-2007, second stage companies represented only 11.8 percent of all resident companies in the United States, but generated 34 percent of positive job growth. Second stagers also attract money. Venture funds and angel investors follow success. The more successful high growth companies in any given region, the more attractive the region will be to investors at all levels. They also make the region far more attractive to other companies, adding to a regional business attraction strategy by building up the region's existing business base.

Owensboro has built up an infrastructure to provide support for business startups through the eMerging Ventures program and provides services for existing businesses, so support for Stage II companies is a natural outgrowth of the two.

According to data on youreconomy.org, the jobs in the Owensboro region created by Stage II companies has lagged behind the national pace since 2005 (0% of jobs in Daviess County compared to 24% nationally). This is a critical reason why the EDC is putting so much emphasis on support for Stage II companies through a program called "economic gardening."

NEXT: What does a Stage II Company program look like? We will review the successful "economic gardening" programs.

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High Growth Stage II Firms: the Key to Job Growth

2010-09-20T15:53:00.001-07:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation is embarking on a new strategy to focus on high growth Stage II companies. This blog by Dan Gundersen, Senior Advisor, published by the International Economic Development Council, offers a good overview as to why Stage II companies will be such an important focus in the new EDC Strategic Plan.

"What kinds of businesses create the most new jobs? Most likely, your answer is that small businesses create the most new jobs. Yes, they do – but historically, they also lose the most jobs.

The most important and overlooked concept in modern economic development is net new jobs – those jobs that remain once we subtract all the jobs lost when firms contract, migrate, and close. These net new jobs are overwhelmingly generated through the sustained profitable expansion of existing companies, also known as ‘high-growth' or Stage II firms.

You might respond that high-growth businesses are start-ups and small businesses, usually technology-based enterprises. They tend to be located in or near metropolitan areas to have access to transportation infrastructure, dense labor pools, and thick supplier and customer networks.

Question those assumptions

But here's a reality check: High-growth businesses are usually at least ten years old and have more than 50 employees; rarely are they start-ups or very small firms. Perhaps most surprising, they are much more likely to be found in traditional industries than in high-tech industry clusters.

Why? Nearly every industry segment has one or two dominant firms that provide the most competitive products and services, and thereby reap the lion's share of sales and profit growth, even during recessions. This success fuels extraordinary job creation.

These exceptional firms grow throughout the nation, regardless of local infrastructure or labor markets. They tend to hire new employees based more on drive and desire to grow with the firm than education level or current technical skill-sets. Many are owned and managed by minorities and women entrepreneurs. Their growth increases the equity of job creation because opportunities are widely shared across all demographic groups in our society.

The most comprehensive research of high-growth businesses in the nation was conducted recently in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When I was COO at the Department of Community and Economic Development, we sponsored early research to drill down on the factors for regional prosperity. Dr. Gary Kunkle led this massive effort to analyze the growth of more than half a million firms by integrating proprietary and non-proprietary databases over a multi-year period. It was hard, complex work conducted over several years, and included personal visits and surveys of CEOs at 600 high-growth firms.

The results showed that one percent of firms in the economy generated over 90 percent of the state's net new jobs. Every county with at least 10,000 residents had one or more high-growth businesses.

What do high-growth firms need?

Dr. Kunkle's work for Pennsylvania also found that exceptional growth causes challenges that transcend industry and location. CEOs of high-growth firms routinely struggle with common problems – such as funding expansion, developing management talent, and overcoming delays due to permitting processes. These difficulties slow growth and reduce long-term job creation.

High-growth business owners are simply too busy to seek public notice or assistance. In fact, they have surprisingly few places to turn for help. They typically avoid standard chamber networking events and are much more concerned with managing rapid growth than dialing for incentive dollars or pushing political buttons to advocate for tax cuts and credits. They are effectively 'under the radar' of most economic development efforts.

In an era when performance matters and jobs are scarce, the economic development profession must include efforts that focus on what works – fostering the green shoots of success that already exist. To advance the agenda of job creation, we must learn from and replicate the secrets of those businesses that produce 90 percent of the net new jobs in every community.

Sure, scouring data sets to understand growth trends and find high-growth firms can require technical skills and expertise, not unlike industry cluster analyses and other market studies. But once you identify these exceptional firms, you will then be in an excellent position to engage them. In time, you might realize that you can improve your effectiveness by modifying your organization's services and introducing new approaches to better help these and other firms sustain profitable job growth."

COMING NEXT: Why Owensboro needs to focus on Stage II firms, a look at the data.

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Efforts to Revitalize Owensboro Getting Noticed

2010-09-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

Veteran economic development consultant and expert Ed Morrison with the Purdue Center for Regional Development cited the rebuilding of Owensboro on his EDPro Blog that is a staple for economic development professionals and site selectors.

Morrison's entry from September 5 follows:

"Over the past two decades, Owensboro, Kentucky has quietly been putting itself on the map. An urban design firm, engaged in redesigning the Owensboro downtown, provides a look inside the process. Out of the decline of the past, Owensboro has been designing around a new narrative:

The slow death of the Executive Inn ushered in a new era of culture in Owensboro with a nationally recognized symphony, an “off-Broadway” River Park Performing Arts Center, and a new reputation for festivals including the nationally recognized Mystery Writers’ Festival.

If you work in a smaller city and are looking for a good model to follow, put Owensboro on your list to visit."

Visit the EDPro Blog by clicking here.

EDC releases New Economic Development Strategy

2010-09-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation released its vision to guide the economic growth of the region over the next five years.

The GO-EDC Board kicked off the 2010-2015 Strategic Planning process in June 2010 with meetings that included community leaders, elected officials and candidates, investors, and stakeholder groups. The EDC also hosted two public input sessions and distributed a survey online and through its Facebook site to solicit public comment and feedback.

The plan developed is well researched, more comprehensive, and involved a greater level of public input and participation that any other in the history of the organization. Based on the evaluation of data, public input and feedback gathered, the strategy will consist of a three pronged emphasis focusing on the following:

• TALENT- Developing, Attracting, and Retaining Talent

• INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION- Providing Support for Existing and Emerging Industry Clusters

• PLACE- Creating a Quality of Place that Meets the Needs of Current and Future Residents

The following are five key highlights of the new plan.

1. Existing Industry will remain a high priority. Most jobs created in any given region come from existing employers. We have been successful in retaining jobs, particularly compared to peer regions and the rest of the country. We will continue to focus on supporting our existing employers to help them grow and prosper in our region. .

2. Continue efforts to target and recruit industry. EDC has been a partner with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and other Kentucky communities in a program called Kentucky United. EDC will participate in at least two trade missions this year, including a visit to Detroit later this month to meet with companies in Michigan interested in potentially relocating to Kentucky. These efforts will also include a continuation of our partnership in Hancock County and the potential new industrial site along the river.

3. EDC will continue to build on the work done in the 2006 Strategic Plan to promote innovation, technology based company development and entrepreneurship. These efforts will continue support for Kentucky BioProcessing and the Centre for Business and Research. A new aspect of this work will include support for Stage II Companies, growing companies that create a majority of the jobs in the national economy, but create very few jobs in the region.

4. The EDC will focus on two new initiatives dealing with talent attraction and workforce development. The first is "Owensboro U," an effort in conjunction with local colleges to market Owensboro as a college town with college town amenities. The second is workforce aligned high school programs, which will create joint programs in the life sciences, manufacturing, health care and other areas with available jobs in the coming years.

5. Continue to focus on quality of place amenities such as those being developed as part of the downtown plan. Much of this work will focus on developing a research corridor between the Carnegie Village area and the OMHS Parrish Ave site. The plan also suggests a comprehensive master plan for the newly developing I-64/ I-65 corridor where the new OMHS campus will be located.

To read more about the EDC Strategic Plan please visit:

http://edc.owensboro.com/_documents/owensboroeconomicdevelopmentstrategicplan2010-2015-executivesummary.pdf

New jobs expected to go to the highly skilled

2010-09-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

By Christopher S. Rugaber and Michael Liedtke, Associated Press
Published: Monday, September 6, 2010 12:05 AM CDT

Whenever companies start hiring freely again, job-seekers with specialized skills and education will have plenty of good opportunities. Others will face a choice: Take a job with low pay -- or none at all.

Job creation will likely remain weak for months or even years. But once employers do step up hiring, some economists expect job openings to fall mainly into two categories of roughly equal numbers:

* Professional fields with higher pay. Think lawyers, research scientists and software engineers.

* Lower-skill and lower-paying jobs, like home health care aides and store clerks.

And those in between? Their outlook is bleaker. Economists foresee fewer moderately paid factory supervisors, postal workers and office administrators.

That's the sobering message American workers face as they celebrate Labor Day at a time of high unemployment, scant hiring and a widespread loss of job security. Not until 2014 or later is the nation expected to have regained all, or nearly all, the 8.4 million jobs lost to the recession. Millions of lost jobs in real estate, for example, aren't likely to be restored this decade, if ever.

On Friday, the government said the August unemployment rate ticked up to 9.6 percent. Not enough jobs were created to absorb the growing number of people seeking work. The unemployment rate has exceeded 9 percent for 16 months, the longest such stretch in nearly 30 years.

The crisis poses a threat to President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress, whose hold on the House and Senate appears to be at increasing risk because of voter discontent.

Even when the job market picks up, many people will be left behind. The threat stems, in part, from the economy's continuing shift from one driven by manufacturing to one fueled by service industries.

Pay for future service-sector jobs will tend to vary from very high to very low. At the same time, the number of middle-income service-sector jobs will shrink, according to government projections. Any job that can be automated or outsourced overseas is likely to continue to decline.

The service sector's growth could also magnify the nation's income inequality, with more people either affluent or financially squeezed. The nation isn't educating enough people for the higher-skilled service-sector jobs of the future, economists warn.

"There will be jobs," says Lawrence Katz, a Harvard economist. "The big question is what they are going to pay, and what kind of lives they will allow people to lead? This will be a big issue for how broad a middle class we are going to have."

On one point there's broad agreement: Of 8 million-plus jobs lost to the recession -- in fields like manufacturing, real estate and financial services -- many, perhaps most, aren't coming back.

In their place will be jobs in health care, information technology and statistical analysis. Some of the new positions will require complex skills or higher education. Others won't -- but they won't pay very much, either.

"Our occupational structure is really becoming bifurcated," says Richard Florida, a professor at University of Toronto. "We're becoming more of a divided nation by the work we do."

By 2018, the government forecasts a net total of 15.3 million new jobs. If that proves true, unemployment would drop far closer to a historical norm of 5 percent.

Nearly all the new jobs will be in the service sector, the Labor Department says. The nation's 78 million baby boomers will need more health care services as they age, for example. Demand for medical jobs will rise. And innovations in high technology and alternative energy are likely to spur growth in occupations that don't yet exist.

Hiring can't come fast enough for the 14.9 million unemployed Americans. Counting part-time employees who would prefer full-time jobs, plus out-of-work people who have stopped looking for jobs, the number of "underemployed" is 26.2 million.

Manufacturing has shed 2 million jobs since the recession began. Construction has lost 1.9 million, financial services 651,000.

But the biggest factor has been the bust in real estate. The vanished jobs range from construction workers and furniture makers to loan officers, appraisers and material suppliers. Moody's Analytics estimates the total number of housing-related jobs lost at 2.4 million. When you include commercial real estate, the number is far higher.

One of them is Martha Escobar, who last month lost her $13.50-an-hour job cleaning an office tower owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Century City, Calif. She was one of 16 janitors, mostly single mothers, who lost jobs as part of the real estate crunch that's squeezed landlords.

Some of them traveled to New York on Thursday to try to pressure JPMorgan to get its cleaning contractor to take them back, given that the bank earned $8.1 billion during the first half of this year.

"I don't know what I am going to do if I can't get my job back," Escobar, 41, said.

JPMorgan Chase spokesman Gary Kishner said the bank has no say over the layoffs, which he said are handled by the building's cleaning contractor.

On top of real estate-related job losses, manufacturing is likely to keep shedding jobs, sending lower-skilled work overseas. Millions who worked in those fields will need to find jobs in higher-skilled or lower-paying occupations.

"The big fear is the country is simply not preparing workers for the kind of skills that the country is going to need," says Gautam Godhwani, CEO of SimplyHired.com, which tracks job listings.

These sectors likely to grow fastest, according to economists and government projections:

* HEALTH CARE

The sector is expected to be the leading job generator, adding 4 million by 2018, according to Labor Department data. An aging population requires more doctors and nurses, physical therapists, home health aides and pharmacists.

Many of these jobs will pay well. Physical therapists averaged about $76,000 last year, according to the department's data. Others pay far less. Home health care aides earned an average of just $21,600.

Home health care and personal care aides are expected to add about 900,000 jobs by 2018 -- 50 percent more than in 2008.

Jennifer Gamboa of Body Dynamics Inc., an Arlington, Va.-based physical therapy firm, says the drive to reduce health care costs should benefit her profession, which can treat pain less expensively than surgery. Gamboa plans to add two employees in the next year.

* INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Technology could be an economic elixir as computers and online networks expand ways to automate services, distribute media and communicate.

Companies will need people to build and secure those networks. That should boost the number of programmers, network administrators and security specialists by 45 percent to 2.1 million by 2018, the government forecasts. Most of these jobs will provide above-average pay.

Technology pay averaged $84,400 in 2008 -- nearly double the average private-sector pay of $45,400, according to an analysis of the most recent full-year data by the TechAmerica Foundation, a research group.

* NEW INDUSTRIES: Deepak Advani, an IBM executive, has a title he says didn't exist five years ago: "Vice president of predictive analytics."

Companies and government agencies have amassed data on behavior ranging from shopping habits to criminal activity. Predictive analytics is the art of determining what to do with that data. How should workers' time be deployed? How best to target customers? Such jobs could grow 20 percent by 2018, the government predicts.

Still, economists say more will be needed to boost job growth. The answer may be some technological breakthrough akin to the personal computer or the Internet.

"Most big booms come from a particular sector that moves the rest of the economy," said Richard Freeman, a Harvard labor economist.

Technology spurred job growth after the 1982 and 1991 recessions. The PC became revolutionary in the early 1980s. Internet use exploded after the Mosaic Web browser was introduced in 1994. Housing eventually lifted employment after the 2001 dot-com bust.

"There's a lack of clarity on what the next big thing is going to be this time," said David Card, an economics professor at the University of California.

Until there is, many people will have to lower expectations and living standards as they enter fields with less pay and less job stability, said Dan Finnigan, CEO of online employment service Jobvite.

"People who are unemployed have to embrace this future that they are going to have many jobs," he said. "We will always be working on the next gig."

Citiwire.net Â» New Urbanism, Smart Economics Rejuvenate an Old River Town

2010-09-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

Scott Polikov, the lead planner from the Gateway Planning firm out of Ft. Worth, Texas that worked with the EDC on the downtown development project wrote a nice article about Owensboro for the Citiwire publication in the link below.

Citiwire.net Â» New Urbanism, Smart Economics Rejuvenate an Old River Town