Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp.

As the Owensboro regional economic development agency, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation is a public-private partnership formed to create a diversified, sustainable economy generating wealth, quality jobs and improving quality of life of Kentucky’s third largest city
The EDC fulfills its mission through the following activities:

1. Create an environment to attract economic investment, business formation, company location and talent.
2. Strategic positioning for the long-term development of the region by creating the infrastructure, nurturing a competitive workforce, and creating quality of place to enable the region to compete in the global economy.
3. Serve as the primary point of contact for existing companies, new business prospects, and startup companies interested in investing in the region.

Recent public projects include the following:

$120 million of public infrastructure for a master plan to reinvent downtown as a mixed use walkable urban center

Life science partnership including partnership with hospitals, biotech firms, agriculture and universities creating Owensboro as a center of plant biotechnology.

$2.5 million Centre for Business and Research, a 40,000 square foot accelerator with research and development lab space for high tech company formation.

MOU with Western Kentucky University creating a new publicly funded campus in Owensboro.

Recent activity:

Existing companies in Owensboro added over 500 new jobs and $90 million in new investments in 2009. Owensboro’s overall economic strength index is higher than it has been in five years. Moody’s Adversity Index lists Owensboro as a metro whose economy has moved into recovery. Jobs were added in the home mortgage industry, food manufacturing, and warehousing. Innovations in plant biotechnology, food safety, and emerging energy technologies have led to the formation of 13 new technology based companies in Owensboro the past two years.




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Specialties

Economic and community development, strategic planning, community marketing