w w w . v e n t m a g o w b . c o m Left: Drawing of Downtown Master Plan
Right: Center for Business and Research
WITH PRESIDENT AND CEO OF OWENSBORO’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, NICHOLAS BRAKE
G BY: CASEY AUD
reetings Venters and Ventees. Here we are second areas. The EDC is working with Kentucky Bio Processing, the Canissue and going strong. This month we find our- cer Research Program, and Western Kentucky University . The center selves at The Crème in our beloved downtown is funded and Brake looks for the ribbon cutting to be in the second speaking to president and CEO of Owensboro’s quarter. The Center is about pairing higher education, technology, and Economic Development Corporation, Nicholas entrepreneurship, one combination that will generate business and Brake. Vent ran the gamut with Nick in an ener- put Owensboro on the map. “A similar model exists in an old shopgized jam session about Owensboro past, present, future, and beyond. ping center in Bowling Green , but has a different focus,” says Brake. Two: The combining of the River Port Authority and the OwWhen you think of Owensboro do you think of innovation, walkability, and a downtown scene that is a destination? Has the term new urbanism ensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport into one consolidated Port Auever crossed your lips when speaking of Owensboro ? If you are Nick Brake thority.The EDC is evaluating whether or not the airport is living up to its it certainly has, and he is working tirelessly to ensure that it does for you. potential as a commercial flight facility. Owensboro is in a key location for freight/cargo and military space 2009 was ushered in on the wake of for the entire eastern half of the stock market instability,corporate bail outs, United States thus, putting Owand the doom and gloom of a recession ensboro on the map. So, once nursing a depression. Not to mention that we have the business and people The Messenger-Inquirer deemed the closhere what do we have for them? ing of Owensboro ’s once flag ship hotel, -Nick Brake Three: That’s where The Executive Inn, to be 2008’s top story. Grim enough? Vent thinks so, too. It turns out that asking the Master Plan comes in. “ Owensboro needs to improve its quality of Nick about the Big E was the perfect entry he was looking for to living and create a synergy,” says Brake. A downtown district that follows springboard into his big three projects to come out swinging in 2009. a ‘new urbanism’ format is the model Owensboro needs.The Master Plan The EDC’s approach to revitalizing Owensboro is drastically different would include a combination arena/convention center, parking garage, than a 30 year old strategy that has kept Owensboro on a respirator. arts academy, farmer’s market area, traffic-pattern changes, and develop“People are tired of living in Evansville ’s shadow…and tired of being pa- ment of Smothers Park . Brake says that Owensboro has to create a tient.” Owensboro used to focus on large manufacturers, showing them sense of vibrancy that is going to attract private investors and now is cheap property and electricity, hoping they move in. The global economic the time to do it with labor costs, materials, and commodities dropping. situation has changed, says Brake, we want to maintain the manufacturing Vent agrees that it is now or never and the closing of the Big E was that we have, but play in this high tech, knowledge-driven economy. “ Ow- the jolt Owensboro needed. Vent will continue a series of arensboro is not a corridor city, it needs to be a destination city,” says Brake. ticles relating to the development of a new community, one that One: The EDC is developing the Center for Business and will rise from the ashes of a recession and send a message that Research. The facility, a 37,000 square foot building on the fringe of we have lasted and have grown stronger from our setbacks. downtown that used to be a tobacco warehouse, will act as a business please send any comments or questions to ventmagazineowb@yahoo.com accelerator providing room for labs, offices, workspace, and common
FEB. 2009 | SOLUTION #2
“People are tired of living in Evansville’s shadow… and tired of being patient.”
12. VENTMAGAZINE FEB. 2009 | SOLUTION #2