Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp.

07/07/2026

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center - Owensboro is looking for its next business coach and the deadline to apply is July 13!

Know someone who may be interested? Tag them in the comments! ⬇️

Candidate will be responsible for:Helping entrepreneurs with overall business plan development and strategy.Helping entrepreneurs develop business strategies and mitigate risks around new products, services, and/or processes.Perform training workshops on a consistent basis.Coaching entrepreneurs thr...

06/30/2026

Today, we celebrated the graduation of 10 inmates from the Reentry Success Program at the Daviess County Detention Center, marking another incredible milestone in this community workforce initiatives.

Seven graduates were on hand to receive their Enhanced Operator I and Workforce Readiness Certificates through Owensboro Community & Technical College.

Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Claude Bacon celebrated the graduates and tied their achievement to the region's workforce needs.

"You are wanted and needed in this community," shared Bacon. "Completing this program takes real commitment, and that is exactly the kind of dedication our employers are looking for. We are proud of every single one of you."

The ceremony also included remarks from Daviess County Fiscal Court Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen, City of Owensboro City Commissioner Curtis Maglinger, Daviess County Jailer Art Maglinger, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet Reentry Program Coordinator Sarah McLaughlin, Katie Vincent of Owensboro Workforce Solutions, and Tammy Keller from CRS OneSource, a proud partner in second chance employment in our community.

The keynote was delivered by Byron Gaither Sr., a graduate of the program who now owns multiple businesses and works as a line contractor for Spectrum.

His message? "The program works if you work."

Read more: https://edc.owensboro.com/reentry-success-program-celebrates-cohorts-7-and-8-graduates-at-daviess-county-detention-center/?oti=76

06/29/2026

Small business owners, this one's for you! The Women's Business Center of Kentucky has partnered with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready to offer free on-demand business training, plus a chance to apply for a $10,000 grant. Learn more & register at the link in the comments! 🤗

06/22/2026

Congratulations to the FIVE professionals from Daviess County who've been selected for Leadership Kentucky's Class of 2026! ⬇️

Cate Gaddis, RiverValley Behavioral Health
Lelan Hancock, City of Owensboro
Gil Mischel, Owensboro Health
Jill Switzer, Century Aluminum
Emmy Woosley, Foundation for Daviess County Public Schools

Announcing the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2026!

We are proud to welcome 52 exemplary leaders to the Leadership Kentucky family! The flagship program kicks off later this week in Berea, followed by Louisville, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Murray, Somerset, Lexington, Frankfort, and Northern Kentucky.

This year’s class includes 52 participants from across the Commonwealth representing a variety of public and private sectors, and we can't wait to get to know them better! Please visit our www.leadershipky.org to learn more about the LKY Class of 2026.

06/22/2026

GOEDC was pleased to welcome Meg Fister, the new Executive Director of the Kentucky Film Office, to Owensboro last week. 📸

After building a career in Los Angeles and New York working with major studios and networks, Meg recently returned home to Kentucky to lead the state's efforts to grow its film and entertainment industry. We were honored to invite her to Owensboro to experience firsthand the people, partnerships, and infrastructure that are helping position our community as a destination for creative industries.

During her visit, Meg met with community leaders and industry partners, including Rep. Suzanne Miles; Steve Johnson, Principal of Representgpa and facilitator of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission, Patrick Ball of Patrick Ball Media, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, and the team at Kentucky Sound Stage.

As Kentucky continues investing in film, television, commercial, gaming, and digital media production, we're excited to work alongside state leaders to showcase everything Owensboro-Daviess County has to offer.

The conversation continues GO Chamber's Rooster Booster presented by Visit Owensboro on July 9, where Meg will share her vision for Kentucky's film and entertainment industry and the opportunities ahead for communities like Owensboro. We hope you'll join us!

To learn more about Meg's visit to Owensboro and her vision for Kentucky's film and entertainment industry, check out the Owensboro Times article linked in the comments! ⬇️

06/17/2026

Greater Owensboro was recently represented on a statewide stage as GOEDC President & CEO Claude Bacon joined Sprocket Executive Director Monica Bilak for a presentation at the Kentucky League of Cities Summer Summit. Their session focused on how communities can foster entrepreneurship, support small businesses, and create the resources needed to turn ideas into opportunities.

Thank you to Kentucky League of Cities for the opportunity to showcase Greater Owensboro as an example of how communities can support entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses, and turn local ideas into lasting economic impact.

06/10/2026

The 2026 Wage & Workforce Survey closes June 15! 🏭

Manufacturing, energy, logistics, and distribution employers across Kentucky are encouraged to participate in this confidential survey, which helps the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers create one of the state's most comprehensive industry wage and workforce reports.

The data collected provides valuable insights into compensation, workforce trends, and industry benchmarks that can help employers make informed business decisions.

If your company has not previously participated, or last participated in 2024 or earlier, sign up here: https://surveys.iqsresearch.com/s3/OEDC26

Companies that participated in 2025 will receive a survey invitation directly from IQS Research.

Learn more about the survey and this year's study: https://iqsresearch.com/kam-wwf-2026

06/08/2026

Spoiler alert: the most successful entrepreneurs don't have all the answers! They just know when to ask for help.

Behind many successful business owners is a mentor who challenged their thinking, shared their experience, and helped them navigate the road ahead.

Elevate Owensboro connects entrepreneurs and small business owners with experienced local business mentors who can offer guidance, perspective, and real-world advice from someone who's been there before.

Learn more and apply for a mentor of your own by June 12 ➡️ https://buff.ly/CcGitQD

06/05/2026

GOEDC recently had the opportunity to tour CRS OneSource and learn more about one of Owensboro's long-standing, family-owned businesses.

Founded in 1948 as Clark Restaurant Service, CRS has grown from a one-truck operation into a regional foodservice distributor serving customers across Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee.

Logan Carden and Derek Clark shared more about CRS's ongoing expansion, its second-chance employment initiatives, and the creative ways the organization continues to improve efficiency while supporting growth.

CRS supplies restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities, and other foodservice operations throughout the region while also helping connect customers with Kentucky Proud products and local favorites, including items from Cecil Farms and other Kentucky producers.

One of the biggest takeaways from our visit was the organization's focus on service. Derek emphasized that the "S" in CRS stands for "Service," and that dedication to building relationships and providing a high-touch customer experience has helped set the business apart for decades.

We also enjoyed learning more about CRS's history, including its role as a founding member of UniPro Foodservice, Inc., a cooperative that allows independently owned foodservice distributors across the country to work together and advocate with a stronger collective voice.

From one truck in 1948 to serving customers across four states today, CRS OneSource is proof that growth doesn't have to come at the expense of personal service. Their focus on innovation, relationships, and opportunity continues to make an impact far beyond Owensboro.

06/03/2026

When you're in the middle of running a business, it's easy to get stuck in the weeds. 😅

An experienced mentor can help you step back, see opportunities you may be missing, and think strategically about what's next.

Applications for the second cohort of Elevate Owensboro, GOEDC's one-on-one mentorship program, are open through 6/12.

Learn more & apply before it's too late ➡️ https://buff.ly/CcGitQD