greater owensboro chamber of commerce
Vol 17/Issue 8
CHAMBER MATTERS 2019
AUG.
Gateway Planning Group returns for report card visit The Chamber 2019 Plan of Work identifies two areas, aside from the core day-to-day programing, where the Board of Directors believed more attention was needed. Those two areas were workforce development and downtown housing. The board directed the Chamber staff to identify ways for our members to fill critical workforce needs and to facilitate opportunities to increase downtown housing options for our talent retention and recruitment efforts. This week, the Gateway Planning Group led by Scott Polikov, Jay Narayana and Owensboro native Michael Huston will be assessing the community’s efforts to date and will identify opportunities for the future. Gateway Planning Group was engaged in 2008 by several partners including the City of Owensboro, the Public Life Foundation and the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation to generate a market-based master plan and a comprehensive package of catalyst projects intended to jump-start downtown revitalization. With its emphasis on mixed-use land use and development, the concept behind the revitalization of Downtown Owensboro was designed to reflect current market trends and conditions. Scores of community roundtables were convened for citizen input. Gateway analyzed the market environment by evaluating the market conditions under which revitalization would occur, as well as an assessment of the potential size, scope, and preliminary feasibility of specific initiatives. Following a review of market demand and potential catalyst projects, the costs of project implementation were outlined along with preliminary financing options. The plan was ratified by the Owensboro City Commission in December 2007. In January 2008 the Owensboro City Commission and Daviess County Fiscal Court together passed an increased in the insurance premium tax that, along with $40 million in federal funds secured by United States Senator Mitch McConnell, fully funded the public infrastructure. To date, private investment has exceeded that public investment at a ratio of 2:1.
The Gateway Planning Group led by Scott Polikov, Jay Narayana and Michael Huston will assess the community’s efforts to date and identify future opportunities. Scott, Jay and Michael are speaking at Thursday’s Rooster Booster Breakfast. Read more information about them on page 3.
2020 COMMUNITY PRIORITIES FORUM Kentuckians will be electing a Governor this November and the 2020 General Assembly will be gaveled into Session in January. To prepare our community for these important events, we began work on our 2020 Community Priorities at the July 18 Community Priorities Forum. Proposed priorities include:
CAPITAL PRIORITIES • New Judicial Center
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES • Complete I-69 and Upgrade Audubon Parkway to I-69 Spur • Extend I-165 to US 60 at Maceo • Extend I-69 from KY 425 to KY 351
Leadership Owensboro, a program of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, has a tradition of excellence in cultivating and encouraging Owensboro leaders since 1982. The program, boasting an alumni base of more than one thousand, is the premier local professional development and community learning opportunity. To learn more about Leadership Owensboro and download an application visit chamber.owensboro. com/leadership-owensboro. Applications for the 2020 Leadership O wensboro class are due by noon on Wednesday, July 31.
TownePlace Suites by Marriot, located at 3365 Hayden Road, hosted a Chamber After Hours reception on Tuesday, July 16. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the opening of this new addition to Owensboro!
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES • Home Rule/Flexibility in Local Government Revenue Structure • Adjusting all current transportation user fees, including the motor fuels tax rate, to compensate for declines in revenue due to decreases in the average wholesale price of fuel, mandated fuel efficiency standards (CAFÉ), and inflation