The Owensboro Magazine 2009

EDUCATION Building Opportunity By Tracy Marksberry he building rising from the dirt in a field off U.S. 231 is more than bricks and mortar. It’s opportunity. “Institutions of higher education are the most powerful economic development tools in today's economy,” said Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. “The expansion of public higher education is a top priority to improve the human capital of our region.” This building across from Owensboro Community and Technical College represents a major expansion for Western Kentucky University – Owensboro. What makes this project unique is that it is funded by Daviess Fiscal Court rather than state government. Daviess County Judge-Executive Reid Haire said the project is so critical to the community’s future that local leaders couldn’t afford to wait. “Our community college has the highest enrollment of any in the state. However, the number of our citizens with baccalaureate degrees is significantly below the state and national average,” Haire said. “If this community wants to be competitive in the global economy, we must increase the number of our citizens The artist’s rendering of the Western Kentucky University Administration/Classroom building by Ross Tarrant Architects. The building is being built in Owensboro by Daviess Fiscal Court. T with four-year college degrees.” The first building will include administrative offices and classrooms, leased to Western and owned by Daviess County. Crews from Deig Brothers Construction Co. of Evansville will be working on the project for most of 2009 and are expected to complete it by October. The first classes are planned for the spring of 2010. Angela Shouse will be one of the first students taking courses at the new building. She will graduate from OCTC in May with an associate’s degree in biotechnology. “An associate’s is great, but I would really like to have my bachelor’s,” she said. Shouse, a 36-year-old wife and mother, said Western’s expansion here will make it OWENSBORO 2009 much easier for her to complete her bachelor’s degree. “I just think it’s going to get bigger and better. I think the biotechnology program is going to blossom into something big,” she said. “I’m “If this community wants to be competitive in the global economy, we must increase the number of our citizens with four-year college degrees.” – Reid Haire, Daviess County Judge-Executive 18

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Owensboro Magazine 2009

The Owensboro 2009 From our Chair Contents Buffalo Trace Brings History to Owensboro Environmental Education Blooms in the Garden Owensboro Arts and Cultural Events Making the Grade Building Opportunity In the Swim Economic Development through Placemaking Sister Cities brings International Benefits Embracing Innovation to spur Economic Development Creating a Pool of Skilled Workers Expanding Transportation Options One-Stop Business Licensing Robot Doctor Building a Locally-Based Food Economy Welcome to the Neighborhood Luxury Living on the River Moving In Trendy Excursions Evolves with the Times The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown Growing with the Community Family Business Boasts Longevity, Good Barbecue Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Home Capturing the Broadway Market Ministering to Church Leaders Community at-a-Glance By the Numbers Dining & Catering Guide Advertiser Index

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