FOURTH QUARTER RECAP
NEWSLETTER October - December 2020
A message from the President/CEO The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation continues to move forward into 2021 with a healthy project pipeline. Our pipeline consists of potential $850 Million in Capital Investment and over 800 new jobs. Big Rivers Electric Corporation has announced the relocation of their headquarters to downtown Owensboro, we appreciate their investment in Owensboro, Daviess County and look forward to welcoming them and their 120 employees to the community.
Brittaney Johnson
NEWS, IDEAS, AND INSIGHTS
As always, we continue to market Owensboro locally and nationally. We have joined forces with the five leading metros in Kentucky – Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville and Northern Kentucky, harnessing our economic strengths to market our assets and attract new companies. The goal is to build on our successes and drive progress in Kentucky by attracting investment and jobs to the Commonwealth. Collectively, the five metros, make up over half of the state’s population and GDP.We have completed our 2021-2024 strategic plan and are excited to begin working through implementing the plan, continuing our existing initiatives, creating additional subcommittees, and adding to our GOEDC team! Thank you for your continued support!
MANUFACTURING MONTH OCTOBER 2020
Throughout the month of October we highlighted our existing manufacturing industries and their hardworking employees. Red Wing Shoes graciously provided each manufacturing industry with 2 gift certificates to distribute to their employees.
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INDUSTRIE S VIS IT E D
The City of Owensboro, Daviess County Fiscal Court and GOEDC announced that Big Rivers Electric Corporation is relocating their headquarters to Owensboro, KY. Big Rivers headquarters operation employs 120 employees with an annual payroll of $14 million. The Big Rivers headquarters will create an annual economic impact of over $100 Million for the Greater Owensboro region. The new headquarters location will be constructed at 700 W 2nd Street in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. Company leadership is hopeful the project will be complete within 18-24 months. We are thrilled to welcome Big Rivers to the Greater Owensboro community and look forward to continuing a strong partnership with this great corporate citizen.
As the world mitigates a global pandemic, Kentucky economic developers have had to reach deep within our collective resolve to emerge with strategies to address COVID-19 and to protect our existing industries. We have also been forced to innovate to assure that our Commonwealth remains competitively positioned to seize upon new opportunities post-COVID-19. Each year we meet with partners at the Kentucky Economic Forum with those responsible for job creation, for retaining existing industry, for inspiring innovation, and for preparing Kentucky’s workforce for success. In November, GOEDC team members Sidney Riney and Elizabeth Griffith had the pleasure of attending the Annual Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) fall forum in Ashland, Kentucky. Together, our group strives to assure that we thrive in the Commonwealth. It is beneficial to discover key Kentucky leaders plans for economic growth and the KAED resources available to accelerate economic development in the Commonwealth. We are excited to seize new opportunities and are looking forward to Kentucky’s bright future!
2020 KENTUCKY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Daviess County made it to the site visit round of the PDI process. GOEDC hosted a virtual site visit, as well as welcomed site consultants from Site Selection Group to the community for a familiarization (FAM) tour. The tour consisted of a drive through downtown, to the Riverport, Airport, Airpark and HWY 81. Partners who were included in the virtual site visit were RWRA, OMPC, Atmos Energy, Kenergy, and OCTC. This was a great opportunity to showcase the community and continue building relationships. The site consultants were very complimentary of Owensboro in their feedback and key takeaways after touring the community.
AWARDED
THE
2020
SUPERLATIVE OF
OBKY Local Look Dahl & Groezinger is a 5th generation scrap iron & metal recycling business that purchases steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and more from both individuals and businesses. They supply buyers across the nation and ship internationally to buyers throughout the world. Founded in 1885, Dahl and Groezinger has the distinction of being Kentucky’s oldest family-owned scrap iron and metal processor. The family takes personal pride in maintaining a quality facility and providing ultimate service to their customers.
Click here to view the OBKY Local Look video featuring Dahl & Groezinger
The Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) is an organization of stakeholders dedicated to strengthening prosperity in the Commonwealth. The Association’s membership is comprised of over 700 members consisting of economic development organizations, Chambers of Commerce, state Cabinets and Agencies, local governments, utilities, universities, quasi-governmental organizations, and professional service firms. With a mission to enhance professional capacity to accelerate economic development, the KAED service portfolio includes education, advocacy, domestic and international business development marketing, consultative services, networking forums, and more. KAED has recently elected our very own President/CEO, Brittaney Johnson as a new Director to the Board!
Congratulations, Brittaney!