A two-year initiative aimed at fostering collaboration, civic engagement, and community-led problem-solving is well underway in Owensboro, led by the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute in partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation.

Founded by Rich Harwood nearly four decades ago, the Harwood Institute works with communities across all 50 states and in 40 countries to help bridge divides and build what Harwood calls a culture of shared responsibility. Owensboro is one of only a handful of U.S. communities chosen for the organization’s “intensive multi-year engagement program.”

“In a time when the country seems to be coming apart, we’re focused on how to bring communities together, how to strengthen civic culture and help people work toward a shared purpose,” Harwood said. “Owensboro was already starting from a position of strength. The question is how to build on that — how to work better together, be more inclusive, and make sure young people want to stay and raise their families here.”

The effort began with more than 50 in-depth interviews conducted by the Harwood team with local leaders and residents, aimed at understanding how people view life in Owensboro-Daviess County and what issues matter most. The findings were compiled in a report titled Building a Better Owensboro: A New Path Forward for Owensboro-Daviess County, released in partnership with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute.

That report identified key challenges such as housing and homelessness, drug addiction and recovery, and limited opportunities for youth — as well as an overarching theme that, while Owensboro has strong organizations, those groups don’t always work effectively together.

“What people said is, too often we’re putting Band-Aids on problems instead of getting to the root of them,” Harwood said. “This initiative is about addressing what really matters to people — and strengthening the way we work together in the process.”

To tackle the issues identified in the report, four action teams were formed focusing on housing and homelessness, youth, the arts, and health. Each group includes representatives from different sectors, organizations, and neighborhoods who are working collaboratively to create small, meaningful actions that can spark broader change.

“These teams are not just creating plans — they’re already taking action,” Harwood said. “The arts team, for instance, started arts mixers to build stronger networks among local artists, and they’re launching a portrait initiative that celebrates people from all walks of life in Owensboro. None of that costs money — it just requires people working together differently.”

Harwood said many communities mistakenly assume major change always requires new funding. In reality, he said, success often depends more on collaboration and coordination among existing organizations.

“Owensboro Health and RiverValley Behavioral Health both had mobile units that served different purposes,” he said. “They realized if they went to the same part of the community at the same time, they could provide better care — and it didn’t cost a dime. That’s what we mean by working differently.”

According to Harwood, the Owensboro effort is progressing even faster than expected. Attendance at recent sessions has grown, and more community members are joining by word of mouth.

“The initiative is going exceedingly well,” he said. “People are taking this approach and embedding it in their organizations. It’s spreading, which is the whole point.”

Stacey Edds-Ellis, executive director of the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute, said the partnership with Harwood’s team has provided a valuable framework for advancing leadership and engagement locally.

“Our network keeps growing, which is a good sign that people want to come together and move the community forward,” Edds-Ellis said. “People are using this practice not only in the Harwood teams but also on the boards and organizations they serve with — that’s how the ripple effects start.”

The Leadership Institute, established in 2022, was initially inspired by Chamber of Commerce leaders who saw a need to cultivate more engaged local leadership. It operates independently as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization funded primarily through local foundations, including the Lawrence & Augusta Hager Educational Foundation, which also underwrites the Harwood partnership.

Harwood said the next year will focus on expanding those community-led actions and deepening collaboration among organizations. The initiative continues through 2026, with coaching, workshops, and storytelling designed to help local leaders sustain the approach beyond the formal partnership.

“We’re not consultants — this is the community’s work,” Harwood said. “When we started, some people wondered if this would amount to anything. My message now is: it’s working, and it’s going to produce a lot more moving into the future.”

Edds-Ellis emphasized that anyone can still get involved.

“The tent is always open,” she said. “If someone wants to be part of the effort or start a team around a new issue, all they have to do is reach out. This work is about people coming together to make Owensboro stronger, and there’s room for everyone in that.” 

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Local government officials and business leaders gathered downtown Tuesday afternoon for the official ribbon-cutting at the new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel on West Second Street.

The $50-million project broke ground in 2019 but was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back the completion date. The hotel began accepting reservations in mid-September.

“This is one of the only hotels you’ll find that started during COVID and was built during COVID,” said Ed Ray, chief operating officer for Gulfstream Commercial Services, the company that developed the hotel.

Construction was impacted by factors such as architects working from home during the pandemic and various delays, Ray said. The western side of the building had to be redone after sustaining damage in a large spring hailstorm, he said.

Having the hotel open despite the delays was a “miracle,” Ray said.

Candance Castlen Brake, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, said when city and county elected officials voted to raise the insurance premium tax to pay for downtown development, “we told the community, ‘this is not a beautification project, this is economic development.’”

Brake was a city commissioner when the tax increase was approved in 2009.

The government investment has led to an influx of private-sector spending on downtown development, Brake said.

“I’m so proud to say, to date, for every $1 (in government spending), there has been $5 in private-sector investment,” Brake said.

Samir Lakhany, president of Superhost Hospitality, the company managing the hotel, said the 144-room hotel is “going to be a great asset for the community” and will create careers as hotel workers move up the business ladder.

The Home2 Suites is the third hotel to open downtown, joining the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro Waterfront and the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront. Lakhany said the Home2 Suites is unique because it offers rooms for guests on extended stays.

“We’re not trying to take business away from other hotels,” Lakhany said. “This is the only all-suite product you have in downtown Owensboro, and right now people are going to municipalities, other cities that are 40 minutes away for that type of use.”

The new hotel is within a stone’s throw of the city’s indoor sports complex being built downtown.

Lakhany said sports teams look for Home2 Suites hotels and noted in a separate interview that the hotel will attract a variety of business.

“Most hotels are focused on just corporate business or group business or sports teams,” Lakhany said. “We have the ability to attract all types … of those types of groups to our hotel.”

The second phase of the project, which will include apartments, a parking garage and retail space, is under construction.

That portion of the project will be completed “sometime in 2026,” Lakhany said.

By: James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer

Community and business leaders gathered Tuesday night to celebrate the grand opening of Home2 Suites by Hilton Owensboro with a Chamber After Hours event.

“The highly anticipated Home2 Suites by Hilton Owensboro is now officially open, bringing a fresh and modern extended-stay option to the heart of downtown Owensboro,” said Ashtyn Redmon, director of sales for the hotel. “The team is thrilled to join such a vibrant and welcoming community and looks forward to building strong partnerships with local businesses, corporations, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Owensboro.”

Redmon said the new addition supports Owensboro’s continued growth as a destination.

“The addition of Home2 Suites further supports Owensboro’s ongoing economic growth, enhancing the city’s ability to host larger conventions, sports tournaments, and other major events,” she said. “We extend our sincere gratitude to our development partners at Gulfstream, the contractors from Envision, and our management company, Superhost Hospitality, for their dedication and collaboration throughout this project. We are proud to begin this new chapter serving guests and contributing to the continued success of downtown Owensboro.”

The grand opening event, held at the new hotel at 560 West 2nd Street and hosted by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, began with a ribbon cutting and remarks before guests toured the property and enjoyed live music from the Owensboro Symphony. 

Attendees also had the chance to win several door prizes, including a 40-inch TV, Amazon Fire Stick, AirPods Pro, and a branded tumbler.

“Our Chamber After Hours at Home2 Suites by Hilton was a great opportunity for our business community and membership to tour the latest hotel and lodging offering in our downtown,” said Chamber President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce will host a Chamber After Hours event Tuesday, Nov. 4, in partnership with Home2 Suites by Hilton Owensboro to celebrate the hotel’s grand opening at 560 W. Second St.

According to the Chamber, doors will open at 3:30 p.m., with a ribbon cutting and remarks beginning at 4 p.m. Following the ceremony, guests are invited to tour the property and connect with fellow Chamber members.

“The highly anticipated Home2 Suites by Hilton Owensboro is now officially open, bringing a fresh and modern extended-stay option to the heart of downtown Owensboro,” said Ashtyn Redmon, Home2 Suites by Hilton Owensboro director of sales. “The team is thrilled to join such a vibrant and welcoming community and looks forward to building strong partnerships with local businesses, corporations, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Owensboro.”

Redmon said the addition of Home2 Suites supports Owensboro’s ongoing economic growth and enhances the city’s ability to host larger conventions, sports tournaments and other major events. She thanked the project’s development partners at Gulfstream, contractors from Envision and management company Superhost Hospitality for their collaboration.

The celebration will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, along with live music from the Owensboro Symphony. Guests will also have a chance to win door prizes, including a 40-inch flat-screen TV, Amazon Fire Stick, AirPods Pro (4th generation) and a branded tumbler.

“Our Chamber After Hours at Home2 Suites by Hilton will be a great opportunity for our business community and membership to tour the latest hotel and lodging offering in our downtown,” said Candance Castlen Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber After Hours events are designed to bring the business community together for networking, celebration and a behind-the-scenes look at local organizations. They provide Chamber members a chance to showcase their services, mission and team members in a lighthearted environment.

By: Messenger-Inquirer Staff Messenger-Inquirer

More than four decades ago, a small group of Owensboro residents came together to ensure that no one in the community would have to die in pain or alone. From their efforts, Hospice of Western Kentucky was born.

At Trinity Episcopal Church, Rev. Gledon Coppick, Alice Bagot, Ann Greer, and Bea Lennox founded what was originally known as “The Hospice Association.” It was officially incorporated on July 7, 1980, and served its first patient two years later. For 12 years, the organization operated entirely through volunteer efforts before becoming Medicare-certified, allowing services to expand into Hancock, Hopkins, and Muhlenberg counties.

In October 2013, Hospice opened The Heartford House — the first free-standing inpatient hospice facility in Western Kentucky. The center provides around-the-clock care for patients who need more intensive symptom management than can be provided at home, offering an alternative to hospitalization in a peaceful, home-like setting.

Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky, now often referred to as HPC, remains devoted to providing individualized end-of-life care.

“Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky offers a specialized service that focuses on providing individualized care to help people live with dignity through the final stages of life,” Marketing Director Hannah Cecil said. “Our dedicated staff works hard to provide excellent care. We serve patients from all walks of life and of all ages, including pediatrics. We are proud to say no one is ever turned away for their inability to pay.”

In addition to patient care, HPC offers bereavement services to families, including counseling and grief groups that are open to the entire community.

Cecil said being part of the Owensboro community is both rewarding and vital to its mission.

“Being a part of Owensboro is incredible because the community is so supportive of our mission,” she said. “We have a great group of volunteers who are integral to what we do. To help give back, we have a program called Hospice Cares, Hospice Gives. This program consists of staff members frequently participating in a volunteer capacity, whether that be collecting items for donation or serving at a local homeless shelter.”

Leaders at HPC also want to dispel misconceptions about what hospice care truly means.

“There is a stigma that hospice means giving up. This couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Cecil said. “Hospice helps individuals spend quality time with family and encourages them to live their life to the fullest. While we can’t add days to life, we can add life to days.”

Recently, the organization’s Board of Directors approved a new logo, marking a refreshed look while keeping the same mission and leadership.

“We will now be referred to as HPC, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky,” she said. “We are still under the same leadership, same ownership, and are still providing the same great service! It was just time to refresh our look – so be on the lookout for our new logo.”

To celebrate Veterans Day, HPC will host a ceremony at 9 a.m. on November 10 at The Heartford House to unveil a new flagpole. Veterans and community members are invited to attend, with donuts and coffee provided.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

New CEO of Owensboro Chamber of Commerce appointed

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — A new president and CEO has been appointed at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

David Kirk was chosen by the chamber’s board after a search that involved more than 60 applicants. Kirk is an Owensboro native and has worked in local media, public schools and at Visit Owensboro.

Eyewitness News El’Agance Shemwell interviewed Kirk during First at Four about the new position and what he hopes to accomplish in the role. You can watch the full interview in the video above.

By: Ian Young, El’Agance Shemwell

Dave Kirk, an Owensboro native, is the new president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

He takes office on Dec. 8.

He succeeds Candance Castlen Brake, who has held the position since March 2015. Brake announced in May that she would be leaving by the end of the year.

Kirk, 38, has served as destination management director for the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2018.

“Leaving is bittersweet,” he said.

Mark Calitri, CVB president, said, “I am incredibly proud of Dave, and he has absolutely earned this opportunity. I’ve watched him pour his heart out into this community, giving everything he has to make Owensboro better. With Dave’s leadership, Visit Owensboro has become a powerhouse in the tourism industry, raising the bar for what a destination marketing organization can achieve.”

He added, “We’ll have big shoes to fill, but I’m excited for the energy and vision he’ll bring to the Chamber. The future looks bright for Owensboro, and with the Chamber, economic development and Visit Owensboro working together, we’re going to show what great things can happen when a community moves forward together.”

Brake said, “Dave Kirk and his wife, Jessica, have poured themselves into the Chamber’s work for over a decade. We are so excited that Dave will be leading the organization and look forward to seeing where he and the team will take us.”

Olga McKissic, board chairwoman, said Kirk was the unanimous choice of both the selection committee and the board of directors.

She said the Chamber conducted a national search and received 70 applications from across the country.

“We realized that he stood out above all the rest,” McKissic said. “And we had some really good candidates.”

She said Kirk had volunteered with the Chamber in the past and is familiar with the organization’s culture.

The Chamber, CVB and Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. all work closely together.

Kirk said he applied for the position in July.

“It’s an incredibly important position,” he said. “I’m honored to be selected.”

Kirk said, “Candance has set the bar very high. They’ve done incredible work.”

He added, “I’ll be looking for new initiatives and ways to serve our members. I love Owensboro. It’s exciting to watch it grow.”

Kirk said, “I want to listen to members and nonmembers. I want to know why nonmembers aren’t members. I want to listen and meet their needs.”

He continued, “I want to make sure Owensboro is heard in Frankfort. We have to go get it.”

McKissic said the Chamber has 988 members today, the most in about 12 years.

Kirk said if membership hasn’t hit 1,000 before he arrives, that will be his first goal.

McKissic said that after an initial round of virtual interviews, four finalists from across the country were interviewed face-to-face — and Kirk was the unanimous choice.

Kirk is a graduate of Owensboro High School and holds degrees in journalism and communications from the University of Kentucky.

Worked in TVAfter graduating from UK, he worked as a television reporter in Jackson, Tennessee, before moving back home to work in the news department at WFIE-TV.

In 2012, Kirk was appointed public information officer for Owensboro Public Schools. During that time, he became heavily involved in the Chamber.

Kirk served on the Advocacy Committee; acted as moderator for forums and legislative updates; participated in Owensboro Day in Frankfort; and served as media coordinator for the Red, White and Blue Picnic.

He graduated from Leadership Owensboro in 2016 and chaired Chamber Young Professionals during its relaunch, helping the group grow from eight members to more than 150.

The group was responsible for bringing ridesharing services such as Lyft to Owensboro.

Kirk’s wife, Jessica, worked at the Chamber for several years as executive director of Leadership Owensboro and director of talent programs. She currently works for Boardwalk Pipelines as a GasQuest development specialist.

They have three sons.

By: Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has named Dave Kirk as its next president and CEO, following a national search that chamber officials said drew more than 60 applicants from across the country.

Kirk will succeed Candance Castlen Brake, who has led the Chamber since March 2015. He will officially assume the role on December 8.

“We are truly excited about the appointment of Dave Kirk to lead our Chamber,” said Chamber Board Chair Olga McKissic. “He was the unanimous choice of our selection committee as well as our board of directors. We look forward as a board in supporting him as he takes the helm.”

After Brake announced in May that she would step down by year’s end, a selection committee made up of past Chamber Board Chairs launched a nationwide search. The committee conducted virtual interviews with several candidates before narrowing the field to four finalists for in-person interviews. Kirk ultimately received unanimous support.

A native of Owensboro and graduate of Owensboro High School, Kirk earned degrees in journalism and communications from the University of Kentucky. He began his career as a television reporter in Jackson, Tennessee, before returning home to work for 14 News.

In 2012, he was appointed public information officer for Owensboro Public Schools, where he became deeply involved with the Chamber through its Advocacy Committee, Owensboro Day in Frankfort, and the Red, White and Blue Picnic.

A 2016 graduate of Leadership Owensboro, Kirk also chaired Chamber Young Professionals during its relaunch, growing the group from eight members to more than 150. Under his leadership, the organization helped bring ride-sharing services such as Lyft to Owensboro, a release from the chamber reads.

Kirk joined Visit Owensboro in 2018, where he led destination management efforts, overseeing marketing, event development, and sales lead generation.

He and his wife, Jessica — a Lexington native and former Chamber staff member — have three sons: Talon, Tipton, and Talmage.

Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 1,000 members and continues to serve as a leading advocate for business and community development throughout the Owensboro region.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

The Greater Owensboro Music Commission is prioritizing the next steps for strengthening the local music ecosystem following results from the region’s first-ever music census.

The Commission’s meeting on Monday was led by Don Pitts, founder of Texas-based Sound Music Cities, a firm that helps cities nationwide evaluate their music scenes through data-driven studies. Pitts, who spent more than three decades in the music industry, including 16 years with Gibson Guitars, said Owensboro has “all the right pieces” to grow its musical identity.

“Owensboro just has a lot of all the pieces there. We just have to put them all together,” Pitts said. “It’s definitely a worthy cause, and I think if we can get three or four organizations with the right skill sets to collaborate, it’ll make it a much easier lift.”

Pitts previously conducted music censuses in cities such as Austin, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana, where he helped identify community priorities and reduce noise complaints through practical, community-focused initiatives. He said the Owensboro census, conducted earlier this year, measured the “lived experience” of local musicians, technicians, venue operators, and others involved in the industry.

During Monday’s session, attendees ranked eight community action opportunities outlined in the census, narrowing them down to the top priorities that will guide the Commission’s work going forward. Pitts said his firm will now analyze the responses and submit final recommendations to the Commission.

Steve Johnson, who helped organize the meeting through the Bluegrass Music Initiative, said the next step is for the Commission to review the community’s rankings and begin acting on them.

“There was a great dialogue about what we can do to elevate music and musicians in this community,” Johnson said. “You’re going to see more out of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission in the coming weeks than you’ve ever seen before.”

Johnson noted that about 15 members of Owensboro’s music community attended Monday’s session, including members of the 15-person Commission. The group represents a broad mix of the city’s musical and civic leadership, including bluegrass musicians, venue owners, symphony representatives, and Chamber of Commerce and economic development officials.

He added that the effort to grow Owensboro’s music scene is about more than bluegrass.

“The Bluegrass Music Initiative is focused squarely on bluegrass,” Johnson said. “What occurred today was about how to elevate all music — bluegrass and other genres — in Owensboro. It’s amazing the talent we have here that people don’t even know about.”

Local musician and venue owner Andy Brasher, who serves on the Music Commission, said the meeting was a major step toward uniting the region’s music ecosystem.

“This meeting was the first gathering of music folks, members of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission, public officials, and interested members of the community to talk about what the data means and how we can use it to better our music community,” Brasher said. “It’s a great first step toward nurturing and sustaining our very important music business ecosystem.”

Commission member Christian Potts said Monday’s discussion underscored the importance of collaboration and community input as Owensboro’s music scene evolves.

“Today’s roundtable was an incredible opportunity to bring together people from every part of our local music community and focus on what comes next,” Potts said. “From the beginning, our goal as a commission has been to listen, learn, and identify where we can make a meaningful impact. The census results highlight just how much potential exists within the Greater Owensboro area, and now it’s about turning that potential into action.”

Potts said the data offers a roadmap for growth.

“The census helped us better understand the music industry’s cultural and economic impact on our region,” he said. “It offers valuable insights that, combined with further community input, will guide us as we work to create more opportunities and sustainability for musicians, venues, promoters, and educators right here at home. I encourage anyone involved in our music scene to review the results and reach out to get connected.”

Candance Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the census results underscore the economic significance of the local music industry.

“The income-related data and economic impact that the census report includes demonstrate that this is truly a niche that we can encourage and help develop,” Brake said. “We understand the quality-of-life benefits from continuing to build out the music infrastructure here in our region, but it goes well beyond quality of life. This is a serious economic impact, and this group has just started.”

By; John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Josh Nelson said he and his husband are “beyond thrilled” with the early success of Nelson Home & Co., the interior design business they launched in Owensboro this fall. Since officially opening in September, the couple has been overwhelmed by community support, new clients, and growing brand partnerships.

“We didn’t realize in our wildest dreams that this was something we were going to be able to accomplish so quickly,” Nelson said. “We are just beyond thrilled to bring a wonderful sense of style and a new set of eyes to Owensboro design.”

The couple relocated to Owensboro in July and soon began offering a wide range of services — from interior design and remodeling to seasonal decorating. They work with local contractors and furniture companies as well as national brands such as Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn.

Nelson said what sets their business apart is the effort to personalize each project.

“When we get to know our clients and see what their sense of styles are, we’re able to create the perfect design based on that — not what we like,” he said. “Sometimes they’re a little lost, and that’s why they need the designer’s help. But we make sure it’s their space.”

Their approach begins with an in-home consultation where Nelson learns about how clients live day to day — whether they need more storage, what colors make them comfortable, or where their kids play. From there, Nelson develops a design proposal tailored to their needs and budget.

“It doesn’t matter if you have an 800-square-foot house or an 8,000-square-foot house,” Nelson said. “Every single person should be able to walk into their home after a long day of work and be able to sigh and just look around and have a good feeling. We’re here to help with that, regardless of if your budget is $5,000 or $50,000.”

With the holidays approaching, Nelson said they’re also offering seasonal decorating — from pumpkin porchscapes to Christmas trees, wreaths, and mantel arrangements — and bookings are filling up fast.

“Moving into the new year, a lot of people start to clean out their houses,” he said. “It’s the perfect time for us to get things going so they can start the year fresh and have everything they want in their home.”

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit nelsonhomeandco.com or follow Nelson Home & Co. on social media.

Read The Owensboro Times’ earlier story on their launch here.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times