The Owensboro Magazine 2009

COMMUNITY Sister Cities brings International Benefits By Benjamin Hoak hen Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the international Sister Cities program in 1956 as a citizen diplomacy initiative, he may not have ever heard of Owensboro, Kentucky. But today, Owensboro and Daviess County are home to thriving Sister Cities agreements with Olomouc, Czech Republic, and Nisshin, Japan, and a Sister Regions pact with Olomouc Kraj, Czech Republic ("kraj” means “region” and is pronounced “cry”). Begun in 1993 though the leadership of current executive director Bill West and local government officials, the program benefits both Owensboro and its sister cities by enabling them to develop international contacts and work together to address areas of mutual concern. Sister Cities requires a formal, recognized relationship between the governments of an American city and the foreign city. Visitors to the annual Multicultural Festival at Owensboro’s First Presbyterian Church look at information about Japan. The Owensboro Sister Cities and Regions display about Nisshin, Japan, included gifts and other items from Owensboro’s Japanese sister city. W More than 550 people have made exchange visits between Owensboro and Olomouc, a city of about 106,000 with industries similar to Owensboro’s. Visitors have included government officials, doctors, emergency workers, teachers, professors, students, librarians and more. “Wherever we can find areas of mutual interest, Sister Cities will help to work up an exchange opportunity,” West said. “It is critical that our citizenry learn about Owensboro’s connections with the rest of the world, whether that be commercial, educational or political.” Owensboro began a relationship with Nisshin, a city of 84,000, in 2007, based on the location of plants in that area that supply the Toyota plant in southern Indiana. In an era of global economy, ties such as these are more important than ever, especially if economic development is to flourish. “We’re shipping worldwide from Owensboro already,” West said. “This isn’t fluff, it is critiOWENSBORO 2009 cal, it’s a must.” Investors looking for a home for their money want to see communities which are culturally well-versed, said Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. The Sister Cities program “really gives you a very direct attitude of openness and multiculturalism and wanting to be known internationally.” In 2007, the Green River Area Development District (which represents seven counties, including Daviess), signed a Sister Region agreement with Olomouc Kraj, a 13-county region. Only one other region in the United States has a similar program. GRADD Executive Director Jiten Shah said the two regions agreed to work together on challenges they both face, including education and infrastructure. “The strongest thread will be economic development,” he said. “(We need to) create a trust between the business 26

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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