EDC Officials, KBP, Governor Beshear Promote Owensboro at Biotech Conference

ATLANTA-- Three years after advancing a strategy to lure high tech life science companies, significant infrastructure is in place for Owensboro to be the epicenter for plant pharmaceutical technology. The infrastructure has already attracted two small biotech companies and a significant partnership with big-pharma when Bayer AG signed an agreement with Kentucky BioProcessing last year.  

This week local officials will take their efforts to the international stage at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention in Atlanta.  The BIO international convention is the largest gathering of biotech leaders, public officials, and companies in the world.  With over 25,000 attendees from over 70 countries, 1,900 exhibitors will participate.  Over 300 public officials, including Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, will attend.  

In 2006 the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC) released A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Life Sciences in Greater Owensboro.  The report offered recommendations focusing on high technology developments in the life sciences as a new economic development approach. 

The competitive advantage driving the development of the emerging plant made pharmaceutical industry in Owensboro is Kentucky BioProcessing.  KBP is the world’s only full scale facility designed and built for the commercial production of plant made pharmaceuticals.  The company uses tobacco as a bioreactor to produce disease curing proteins.  Farmers are also getting involved in producing crops for use in biotechnology products through the Owensboro Biotech Alliance.   OBA has a database of regional farmers that enjoy a national reputation for compliance with USDA regulations and a willingness to grow crops for use by plant biotech companies.

 “Make no mistake; we are not trying to become a biotech cluster to compete with the likes of San Diego or Boston,” said EDC President/CEO Nick Brake.  “But we can succeed in creating a cluster of companies focusing on the utilization of our strengths, plant pharmaceuticals and plant-based natural products.  In this area between KBP, the Owensboro Cancer Research Program and the partnership with the University of Louisville, and our regional agriculture community, we have a competitive advantage not found anywhere else.”

The latest investment in the high tech infrastructure in Owensboro to support KBP and the growth of plant biotech companies is a new business and research accelerator.  The City of Owensboro with support from the Daviess County Fiscal Court are converting an 85-year-old former tobacco warehouse near downtown Owensboro into high-tech lab space for the use of tobacco to search for cures for cancer and other diseases.  The Centre for Business and Research, set to open by fall 2009, The Centre will be equipped with life science labs suitable for education of undergraduate and graduate students, externally funded university research, and incubation of many of the small biotech companies working with KBP. 

EDC ISSUES REQUEST FOR PROPSAL FOR CONVENTION CENTER HOTEL

Today the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a qualified developer for a new downtown hotel as part of the $120 million package of catalyst projects in the Downtown Owensboro Placemaking Initiative. 

This RFP is a solicitation process, which is expected to culminate in a negotiated agreement between the City of Owensboro and a qualified private developer to develop and construct the convention center hotel and related infrastructure. 

GO-EDC will select a developer for the Hotel project subject to the approval of the Owensboro City Commission. An RFP Review Team consisting of EDC staff, Gateway Planning consultants, and City and County staff representatives will review and recommend the potential developer.

Several state incentives may be available to the developer of this project, including, but not limited to, incentives from the Kentucky Tourism Cabinet.  In addition, the site of the proposed hotel is located in an area that qualifies for New Markets Tax Credits financing. 

EDC President/ CEO Nick Brake said respondents to the RFP will be expected to utilize hotel operators that will provide a “full service” hotel recognized by the convention and meetings markets. 

Brake said respondents are encouraged to bring to the project a team of architects and construction professionals with proven track records that meet the goals of the development, adding that the Hotel should operate as a corporate managed, national or international chain-affiliated property positioned to primarily accommodate convention and group-meeting demand. “The quality and level should be consistent with the quality of similar headquarters hotels in other North American cities,” he said.

In order to encourage broad participation by the development community and in recognition of the strong interest in Owensboro’s hotel market, developer responses to this RFP are due, August 1, 2009.  GO-EDC expects to conclude selection of a development team for recommendation and finalization by December 31, 2009.  “The RFP will be advertised both regionally and nationally in hopes of attracting strong interest among the local, regional, and national development community,” said Brake.

The Downtown Owensboro Initiative generated a market-based Downtown Master Plan (prepared by Gateway Planning Group at www.gatewayplanning.com) and a comprehensive package of catalyst projects intended to jump-start downtown revitalization. For a complete copy of the Downtown Owensboro Master Plan, see “Master Plan” under the “Town Planning and Urban Design” section of www.gatewayplanning.com. 

Please visit edc.owensboro.com and click on “Downtown Development” to view the RFP executive summary or click here to obtain a downloadable and printable full RFP document.  

Peabody, Conoco Phillips Partnership Will Create 500 Jobs in Muhlenberg County

At a time when energy is among the top concerns in America, Peabody and ConocoPhillips are developing a project to produce clean energy from secure, domestic sources. The Kentucky NewGas Energy Center would use proven technology, which would minimize environmental impacts and comply with regulatory standards to protect the environment.

Kentucky NewGas combines the strengths of Peabody and ConocoPhillips to produce pipeline quality natural gas, just like we use to heat our homes, prepare our meals and power our lives. The ConocoPhillips E-Gas™ technology creates natural gas from coal through a conversion process called “gasification.”

Coal gasification is a proven process that has been used by a number of industries for more than 100 years. Kentucky NewGas is a multi-billion dollar project in Muhlenberg County that would create new jobs and provide a major economic benefit to the region and the state. 

The project would create 1,200 jobs during the four-year construction period and over 500 long-term, high paying jobs.  It will provide up to $100 million annually in local and state economic impact through wages, taxes and other benefits.  The success of this facility may lead to additional projects that could combine the capabilities of ConocoPhillips and Peabody.

For more information please visit http://www.kentuckynewgas.com/.  To see a short informational video about the gasification process visit http://www.kentuckynewgas.com/project-news/

Governor Announces Expansion at Owensboro Sazerac North America

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 30, 2009) – Gov. Steve Beshear and Sazerac North America today announced the expansion of two Kentucky distilling operations, located in Frankfort and Owensboro. The expansions represent a combined investment of nearly $28 million and will result in approximately 89 new full-time jobs in the Commonwealth.

“I’m delighted Sazerac North America has chosen two Kentucky locations for additional investment and job creation as part of their corporate growth strategy,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Sazerac’s long history and tradition in the distilled spirits industry is a perfect match for Kentucky.  The Commonwealth looks forward to continuing our partnership with Sazerac as they evaluate Kentucky for additional investments.”

Sazerac, which recently purchased a significant portion of Constellation Spirits, Inc., will also add 300,000 square feet to its Owensboro facility at an estimated cost of $10.5 million.  Additionally, the expansion will require the purchase of $8.25 million in new machinery and equipment. Approximately 50 new jobs will result from the project. Current employment at the facility totals 188.

“We are very pleased and grateful for the interest and support demonstrated by Gov. Beshear and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development as Sazerac works to develop and grow its operations in Kentucky,” said Sazerac President and CEO Mark Brown. “This is the first in a series of steps where we are working with the Governor and the Legislature to become more competitive nationally and globally while promoting one of Kentucky’s signature products, bourbon.”

Buffalo Trace Distillery, Inc. in Frankfort and Sazerac North America in Owensboro were approved for tax benefits under the Kentucky Industrial Development Act for up to $3.28 million today by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA). 

“We are pleased a company of Sazerac’s caliber and quality will expand its operations in our community,” said Nick Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation. “Sazerac’s investment in Owensboro and resulting job growth can only enhance what has been an exceptional industry in the Daviess County area for many years. The project will provide additional opportunity for an excellent workforce in these tough economic times. We look forward to working with Sazerac as it makes this much anticipated transition.”

EDC and Downtown Updates on YouTube

Nick Brake and Fred Reeves were recent guests on the Green River Area Development District Dialogue Show.  To view please go to the following links.  

Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qdg0xgPqJk

Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZX_WOZv_i0

Society of Owensboro Events this Summer in Four Cities

This summer, the Society of Owensboro will be hosting events in Louisville, Atlanta, Nashville and Lexington to reconnect with Owensboro-alumni living in those cities. 

The first event is in Louisville on May 15th at O'Shea's Irish Pub. For event information, click on the "events" link on the Society of Owensboro Group page on Facebook at this link.   A printable invitation is also available for you to distribute to your other non-facebook friends. 

The Society of Owensboro is dedicated to displaced Owensboroans with a keen interest in the progress of their former community.  The Society of Owensboro claims well over 500 members, including people from Seattle, Birmingham, Louisville and Nashville. The goal is for there to be regular  Society events keeping people engaged in what is going on in Owensboro will lead to some positive results in retention of our young people.

If you or someone you know would like to join The Society of Owensboro, first sign up for a free Facebook account, then click hereto join.

Dalisha's Desserts Wins Emerging Ventures Challenge

Dalisha's Desserts, a start up cake bakery specializing in providing quality artistic desserts, was selected as the winner of the first annual Emerging Ventures Challenge business plan competition.

Dalisha's will receive a $15,000 investment award and a six month lease at the Centre for Business and Research, a business accelerator located at ninth and Allen St.  The company, a sole proprietorship, is currently searching for a location in downtown Owensboro.  

Emerging Ventures Executive Director Madison Silvert, Dalisha's could utilize the space being built into the Centre for Business and Research for a cafe or small restaurant. 

"We live in a very fast-paced, convenience-driven society," said Alisha Hardinson, the principal of Alisha's.  "Our specialty is our artistic flair, with unique desserts that can't be found anywhere in the region." 

The Emerging Ventures Challenge is funded from the Emerging Ventures Seed Capital Fund, created last year by the Owensboro City Commission.  Emerging Ventures is a division of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. designed to assist entrepreneurs and start up companies in the Owensboro region.