Chamber, EDC, Visit Owensboro partnering to drive community growth
Representatives from Visit Owensboro, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation met earlier this month to discuss ways to strengthen their collaboration. The ongoing conversation aims to align their efforts and improve community engagement.
At Tuesday’s Visit Owensboro board meeting, Chamber President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake spoke about the importance of the collaboration. She emphasized that understanding what each organization does and finding common ground to work together is crucial to their collective success.
“We know how critical it is for the community to have confidence in organizations driving our economy forward,” Brake said. “Anytime we can collaborate, it’s important. The most significant thing we can do is build partnerships, especially for small businesses that need these relationships to thrive.”
Brake also highlighted the Chamber’s impact on the local business community, particularly through initiatives aimed at young professionals. City Commissioner Mark Castlen praised Brake’s leadership.
“She runs the Chamber like a well-oiled machine,” Castlen said. “There’s electricity at those Rooster Booster meetings, and we’re the envy of the state because of how our Chamber is run.”
Claude Bacon, GO EDC president and CEO and Visit Owensboro board chair, also weighed in on the collaboration.
“Bringing our organizations together helps foster new relationships and strengthen existing ones,” Bacon said. “We’re leveraging collective intelligence to drive creativity and find better solutions.”
Visit Owensboro president Mark Calitri echoed the sentiment.
“Partnership and collaboration are crucial for successful cities,” Calitri said. “The goal is to create an opportunity to work together. Thinking long-term and maximizing our resources are essential to our community’s success.”
In other updates from the Visit Owensboro meeting, Calitri announced that Owensboro Racing and Gaming, owned by Churchill Downs, is on track to open in February of next year. Additionally, the new Home2Suites in downtown Owensboro should be completed by March.
Leaders also celebrated the success of hosting the Special Olympics State Softball Tournament, which received positive feedback from participants and organizers. Visit Owensboro showcased a new digital billboard sign that can be moved to various locations and events around the county. They also announced the return of USSSA baseball tournaments and a partnership with Holiday World, utilizing influencers to promote Owensboro as a preferred stay destination for visitors to the theme park.
Other news included the introduction of Christina Collins as a new associate specializing in sporting events. Owensboro will also host the AA state volleyball and soccer championships this week, and Collins will dive in head first.
Lastly, Comic Con returns to the Owensboro Convention Center on October 5-6, featuring celebrity guests like Patrick Duffy, the original Power Rangers, and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times