The Owensboro Magazine 2009

thrilled to be in the program.” Western is the fastest growing state university in Kentucky, and WKU President Gary Ransdell said he is excited about expanding opportunities in Owensboro. “It’s critically important to Western and to Owensboro,” Ransdell said. “It’s what is necessary to drive Owensboro’s economy and improve the quality of life.” Daviess Fiscal Court has committed more than $6 million to purchase the land and build the first building. The first building will include computer labs, distance learning classrooms and faculty offices as well as the campus administration. Local officials expect more buildings, funded by the state, to follow. About $8 million in funding for future campus work is expected to come from Phase II funding for the Advanced Technology Center at OCTC. Local officials have attempted to have Phase II funded in the state budget for the past three state General Assembly sessions. While Ransdell is concerned about the prospect of future state funding during tough economic times, he remains optimistic about the possibilities for growing programs. “Owensboro leaders know that they need more bachelor’s and master’s degree holders among their citizens, and they’re taking steps to address that,” Ransdell said. “It’s the Fiscal Court that has stepped forward, but it is really the taxpayers that need to be thanked.” Gene Tice, director of WKU-Owensboro, said he is impressed by the Owensboro community’s commitment to education. “I’m not aware of any other community where local government has stepped up to building a building like this,” Tice said. “It really is amazing.” Forrest Roberts, who serves on Western’s board of regents, said the building will greatly enhance Western’s ability to offer more classes in Owensboro. “Space has been a real issue,” said Roberts, who is also co-chairperson of the Citizens Committee on Education. Local leaders are working with Western to design programs that meet the needs of employers. Tice said those programs will complement the offerings already available at Brescia University and Kentucky Wesleyan College. “As we grow, we’ll have a four-year institution to complement the fine private institutions,” he said. The Greater Economic Development Corp., the Regional Alliance for Education and The Learning Community are collaborating on a workforce development initiative called Go Higher. One of the key goals is to increase the number of college degree holders in Daviess County by 10,000 by 2020. “It’s going to take all of us growing to meet those goals,” Tice said. “No one entity can do this alone.” ● Jim Harley teaches geometry in one session of “The Loft @ OCTC” program at Owensboro Community & Technical College’s Frederica Street campus. The platform program offers two, fourt-week sessions for K-12 students. �� OWENSBORO 2009 19

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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