Daviess County farmer and agri-businessman Rod Kuegel will take over duties as Chairman of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation next week. Kuegel succeeds Darrell Higginbotham, the Daviess County President of Independence Bank, who served as EDC Chair since 2007.
Kuegel is excited to take over as chair and recognizes the contributions of Higginbotham in leading the organization through its current strategic plan which greatly expanded the scope of the region's economic development efforts. "I am taking over the role of chair at a time when the EDC is well positioned for the future thanks to the leadership and accomplishments of Darrell during the two and a half years he served as chair," he said.
"From the revitalization of downtown to our work in supporting existing businesses and new entrepreneur-based startups, I anticipate much of that work will begin to pay dividends with private investment in the coming years," said Kuegel.
Higginbotham said it has been an honor to serve as chair of the EDC Board during such an exciting time. "I am most proud of the fact that whatever the issue the tenor of conversation and actions taken by the EDC board and staff have always been about what is in the best interest of moving this region forward. I have been blessed to serve with a committed and engaged board. Our EDC staff is truly one of the best in the state."
EDC President/ CEO Nick Brake said Kuegel is the eighth chair of the organization in the 17 years in which the private sector has provided leadership at the board level. Kuegel is the first board chair from the agriculture sector of the economy.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
EDC Strategic Planning Public Meeting Scheduled for June 28 at 7 pm at OCTC
The GO-EDC is currently working on a new strategic plan and comprehensive economic development strategy for the region.
The public is invited to attend a public input session on June 28, 2010 at 7 pm in the Advanced Technology Center at Owensboro Community and Technical College for a presentation and discussion of the regional economy.
Please visit the following link on the EDC Website Strategic Planning Page to access background materials about the EDC stategic priorities and planning process.
The public is invited to attend a public input session on June 28, 2010 at 7 pm in the Advanced Technology Center at Owensboro Community and Technical College for a presentation and discussion of the regional economy.
Please visit the following link on the EDC Website Strategic Planning Page to access background materials about the EDC stategic priorities and planning process.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
EDC developing New Strategic Plan, seeking Public Input
The board of directors and staff of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation are setting priorities and objectives for the region’s economic development strategy. The EDC is holding several sessions to receive input from, investors, stakeholders, and the general public throughout June and July.
A public meeting will be held on June 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at OCTC. EDC Strategic Planning materials are available at the following link. An additional public meeting will be held in July in coordination with the Region of Opportunity Team (ROOT).
The current EDC Strategic Plan, adopted in 2006, significantly broadened the scope of work of the organization. The 2006-2010 plan focused heavily on nurturing and helping existing companies grow and remain competitive in the region. The plan also created infrastructure to support the growth of high tech companies, including state funding for the Emerging Ventures Center for Innovation, a seed capital fund and a business incubator, the Center for Business and Research, which will open this year.
"The primary accomplishment of our plan of work over the past five years has been to add significant amounts of infrastructure to make Owensboro more competitive," said EDC Board Chair Darrell Higginbotham. "Moving ahead over the next five years, we hope to capitalize on the infrastructure with new private investment."
EDC President/ CEO Nick Brake said the plan has also positioned Owensboro to be successful in marketing to expanding companies. Lead generation has increased 80 percent due to enhanced web presence and marketing activities with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Kentucky United, an organization that promotes all regions of Kentucky to prospective companies.
With the new strategic plan the EDC will look to build on the development of existing clusters of industries in the region such as aluminum, food processing, transportation and logistics, and plant pharmaceuticals.
"From the revitalization of downtown to our support for existing industries and entrepreneurs, we definitely have gotten the attention of people statewide and nationally about all the development happening in Owensoboro," said Brake.
The new EDC Strategic Plan is expected to be in place by September.
A public meeting will be held on June 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at OCTC. EDC Strategic Planning materials are available at the following link. An additional public meeting will be held in July in coordination with the Region of Opportunity Team (ROOT).
The current EDC Strategic Plan, adopted in 2006, significantly broadened the scope of work of the organization. The 2006-2010 plan focused heavily on nurturing and helping existing companies grow and remain competitive in the region. The plan also created infrastructure to support the growth of high tech companies, including state funding for the Emerging Ventures Center for Innovation, a seed capital fund and a business incubator, the Center for Business and Research, which will open this year.
"The primary accomplishment of our plan of work over the past five years has been to add significant amounts of infrastructure to make Owensboro more competitive," said EDC Board Chair Darrell Higginbotham. "Moving ahead over the next five years, we hope to capitalize on the infrastructure with new private investment."
EDC President/ CEO Nick Brake said the plan has also positioned Owensboro to be successful in marketing to expanding companies. Lead generation has increased 80 percent due to enhanced web presence and marketing activities with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Kentucky United, an organization that promotes all regions of Kentucky to prospective companies.
With the new strategic plan the EDC will look to build on the development of existing clusters of industries in the region such as aluminum, food processing, transportation and logistics, and plant pharmaceuticals.
"From the revitalization of downtown to our support for existing industries and entrepreneurs, we definitely have gotten the attention of people statewide and nationally about all the development happening in Owensoboro," said Brake.
The new EDC Strategic Plan is expected to be in place by September.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
"Budding Biotech" Program Motivates the Future Biotech Workforce
A partnership between the Owensboro Museum of Science and History the Owensboro Community and Technical College and the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is motivating young students in the Owensboro region to explore careers in biotech and health care.
The "Budding Biotech" partnership is hosting a camp at the museum for elementary school age students and an biotech expo for middle school students on June 10 from 6-8 pm at OCTC. The programming is funded through a grant from the Owensboro Medical Health System.
"We believe it is our responsibility as a community to foster an understanding of the growing biotech discipline and alert our citizens to biotech and health care educational and employment opportunities in the region," said the organization's website. "In doing so we create tomorrow’s scientists, doctors and health innovators, improving the health of our community and the global community through education"
For more information about the Budding Biotech program, visit http://www.buddingbiotech.net/
The "Budding Biotech" partnership is hosting a camp at the museum for elementary school age students and an biotech expo for middle school students on June 10 from 6-8 pm at OCTC. The programming is funded through a grant from the Owensboro Medical Health System.
"We believe it is our responsibility as a community to foster an understanding of the growing biotech discipline and alert our citizens to biotech and health care educational and employment opportunities in the region," said the organization's website. "In doing so we create tomorrow’s scientists, doctors and health innovators, improving the health of our community and the global community through education"
For more information about the Budding Biotech program, visit http://www.buddingbiotech.net/
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
General Assembly approves funding for Final Leg of Interstate Connector
That includes $34.62 million to complete the 4.9-mile bypass extension in eastern Daviess County. Once complete, the bypass extension will form a four lane connector between Interstate 64 in southern Indiana and Interstate 65 in Bowling Green.
"This is our interstate," said Nick Brake, President/CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. "We are creating a four lane highway between I-64 and I-65, and the main center is going to be Owensboro. The area around the new hospital will grow with retail and commercial development much like you would see around an exit from an interstate. This is Owensboro's exit on the interstate highway system!"
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Owensboro participates in Kentucky United Economic Development Mission to the Northeast
Through our partnership with KentuckyUnited, GO-EDC recently participated in a marketing mission to the northeast. 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 New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts about the opportunities available in Kentucky.
This is the first Marketing Mission KentuckyUnited has sponsored in the northeast. 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 should 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!
This is the first Marketing Mission KentuckyUnited has sponsored in the northeast. 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 should 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!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Biotech efforts praised by Governor at BIO
CHICAGO-- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear celebrated Kentucky's success attracting high tech and life science companies to the Commonwealth at a reception at the annual gathering in the biotechnology industry. Kentucky jumped from 44th to 26th in state rankings of National Institute of Health funding that support life science and biotech companies. Significant progress has been made in Owensboro in the last three years to supporting high tech businesses. The infrastructure has already attracted small biotech companies and significant partnerships with big-pharma when Bayer AG signed an agreement with Kentucky BioProcessing and the most recent investment by the Department of Defense supporting plant biotech efforts.
This week EDC officials took their efforts to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention in Chicago. 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, 1,700 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 this year, will be equipped with life science labs suitable for the incubation of many of the small biotech companies working with KBP.
This week EDC officials took their efforts to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention in Chicago. 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, 1,700 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 this year, will be equipped with life science labs suitable for the incubation of many of the small biotech companies working with KBP.
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