Dispo Smoke was founded with a mission to educate customers about cannabis while creating a welcoming environment that challenges traditional perceptions of smoke shops.

Owner Madison Burris said he and part-owner Richard Beeler had worked together for many years and shared a passion for helping others before opening the business. As Kentucky’s cannabis laws evolved, they saw an opportunity to bring Farm Bill-compliant cannabis products to Owensboro while helping educate the community.

“Our goal is to help Owensboro understand that cannabis isn’t the ‘boogeyman’ we were all taught it was growing up,” Burris said.

Dispo Smoke exclusively carries products that comply with the 2018 Farm Bill and offers gummies, disposable vape products, tinctures, beverages, and mushrooms. Burris said new inventory arrives weekly, and the business also offers local delivery and personalized recommendations.

Every product sold in the store has been personally vetted by the team, allowing employees to confidently answer customers’ questions and help customers find products that fit their needs.

“Educating our guests is a massive priority for us — a natural carry-over from my previous career as an educator,” he said.

Burris said the business was intentionally designed to create a different experience than what many people expect from a smoke shop. The bright, clean interior features a mural painted by employee Shelby Barr, helping create a welcoming atmosphere.

“We purposefully designed our space to stand apart from the typical ‘smoke shop’ stereotype,” Burris said.

Community involvement has been a priority since the business opened. Burris said the business joined the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce as part of its commitment to becoming an active member of the Owensboro community.

In addition to serving customers, the business sponsors local sports teams and plans to continue supporting community organizations and events.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of the Owensboro community,” Burris said. “We want to be as involved in the community as Owensboro will allow.”

Dispo Smoke is located at 1000 E. Fourth St., across from Welborn’s Florist. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.disposmoke.com.

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 more than 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

Financial Freedom Partners has spent more than 20 years helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate their financial futures through independent, comprehensive wealth management services.

Founded in 2004 by two financial advisors, the Owensboro-based firm has grown steadily while maintaining its commitment to personalized financial guidance. Today, Financial Freedom Partners includes four advisors and six additional full-time team members, reflecting both the firm’s growth and its continued focus on serving clients through long-term relationships.

Financial Freedom Partners provides a full range of wealth management services, including retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, and estate and legacy planning. Rather than treating those services separately, the firm develops strategies based on each client’s complete financial picture.

The firm operates on a fee-based model with no commissions, and its advisors serve as fiduciaries.

“All the advisors are fiduciaries, meaning we are legally and ethically obligated to always act in our clients’ best interests — not to sell products, not to hit quotas, but to give advice we’d give a member of our own family,” Brycen Moore said.

Moore said the firm’s independence allows its advisors to make recommendations without being influenced by product sales. He said Financial Freedom Partners also takes a holistic approach to wealth management by considering each client’s broader financial situation rather than focusing solely on investments.

“Because we’re locally rooted in Owensboro, we bring a level of personal relationship and community context that a large national firm simply can’t replicate,” Moore said.

The Owensboro community has remained central to Financial Freedom Partners since the firm’s founding.

“Owensboro isn’t just where we do business — it’s home,” he said. “Our team has deep roots here, and we’ve had the privilege of serving families and business owners in this community for years.”

In addition to serving clients, Moore said the firm supports local organizations, sponsorships, and causes throughout the region because it believes investing in the community goes hand in hand with helping clients achieve long-term financial success.

For more information about Financial Freedom Partners, visit ffponline.net, stop by the office at 2703 Breckenridge St., or call 270-240-4752.

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 more than 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 Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

Local businesses grow stronger together.

That is something we see every day through the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

With over 1,000 Members, the Chamber represents a wide range of businesses, industries, organizations, and community leaders. Each one has its own mission, goals, challenges, and story. But when those Members connect with one another, something bigger begins to happen.

Collaboration is one of the most valuable parts of Chamber Membership.

Sometimes collaboration looks simple.

It may be a local market carrying bread from a local bakery, giving that bakery another place to reach customers while also helping the market offer something unique and homegrown.

Sometimes it looks like service providers in the nonprofit realm coming together to bring awareness to an issue, support a shared mission, or better serve individuals and families in our community.

Other times, it looks like a business gaining access to a platform they may not have had otherwise. Through Chamber events, Ribbon Cuttings, Member of the Week features, networking opportunities, sponsorships, and community conversations, Members are given a voice and a place to share who they are, what they do, and why their work matters.

Those connections are important.

In a community like Owensboro, relationships matter. People want to do business with people they know and trust. They want to support businesses that show up, invest locally, and care about the place we all call home. The Chamber helps open the door for new relationships and conversations that may not have happened otherwise.

Each of these connections add to the momentum we see across Owensboro.

When Member businesses support one another, the impact reaches far beyond a single transaction. It strengthens our local economy, creates opportunity, encourages innovation, and builds a stronger sense of community pride. It also reminds us that no business, organization, or leader must do this work alone.

The Chamber is proud to serve as a connector. We are here to help open doors, create visibility, encourage partnerships, and provide opportunities for our members to engage with one another and with the broader community.

But the true strength of the Chamber is found in our Members.

It is found in the business owners who show up to support a ribbon cutting. It is found in the companies that choose local vendors. It is found in the nonprofits that partner instead of working in silos. It is found in the leaders who refer, encourage, sponsor, mentor, and collaborate.

Owensboro is fortunate to have a business community that understands the value of working together. The more we continue to build those connections, the stronger our community becomes.

Local businesses grow stronger together, and through the Chamber, those connections continue to shape the future of Owensboro.

By Kitty Jones For the Messenger-Inquirer

Supreme Dream Realty, LLC is continuing to grow its presence across Owensboro, surrounding counties, and southern Indiana while maintaining a client-focused approach built on integrity, communication, and personalized service.

Founded in 2018 by Owner/Broker Vickie Boarman Ballard, the brokerage was originally established as Owensboro and Kentucky Dream Realty. As the company expanded its reach and services throughout the region, it rebranded as Supreme Dream Realty LLC to better reflect its growing footprint.

Today, the locally owned and operated brokerage serves buyers, sellers, and investors with a range of real estate services, including residential, commercial, land, investment, and new construction properties.

With a growing team of experienced Realtors, Supreme Dream Realty is committed to helping clients navigate every stage of the real estate process.

“What separates Supreme Dream Realty from many other real estate companies is its commitment to putting clients first,” Ballard said.

The brokerage combines a client-focused culture with innovative marketing strategies, technology, strong communication, and personalized service designed to help clients achieve their real estate goals.

Ballard said clients benefit from professional photography, aerial imagery, video marketing, digital advertising, and extensive online exposure that helps properties stand out in today’s competitive market.

“Most importantly, we believe in building lasting relationships and treating every client like family — not just another transaction,” she said.

Supreme Dream Realty has built its reputation on trust, professionalism, and results while remaining committed to serving the communities where its agents live and work.

Owensboro has played a significant role in the company’s growth since its founding.

“Owensboro is more than the place where we do business. It is home,” Ballard said. “It is where our family has built a life, where lifelong friendships have formed, and where neighbors genuinely care about one another.”

The company also supports community organizations throughout the region and strives to make a positive impact both in and out of real estate.

“At Supreme Dream Realty, we are not just invested in real estate,” Ballard said. “We are invested in people, relationships, and the future of the community we are proud to call home.”

Since opening in 2018, Supreme Dream Realty has continued to grow while remaining focused on exceptional service, innovation, and helping clients successfully navigate one of life’s most important investments.

For more information about Supreme Dream Realty LLC, visit SupremeDreamRealty.com or call 270-315-5916.

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 Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

Maui’s Indoor Theme Park is bringing a new destination for family entertainment to Owensboro, offering attractions for guests of all ages to play, celebrate, and spend time together.

Located at 5000 Frederica St., Maui’s opened in 2026 with a goal of creating a year-round entertainment venue where families can have fun together regardless of the weather.

Tom Cardiff, regional manager for Jester FEC, said the park was inspired by the success of Malibu Jack’s Indoor Theme Parks and was designed to bring a similar entertainment experience to Owensboro while adding its own tropical island atmosphere.

“Maui’s was built to bring people together,” Cardiff said. “In a world where everyone is busy and often glued to their screens, we wanted to create a place where families and friends can laugh, compete, celebrate, and simply enjoy spending time with one another.”

The facility offers a wide range of attractions, including indoor go-karts, laser tag, tropical mini golf, duckpin bowling, a large arcade, and a soft play area for younger children.

In addition to its entertainment offerings, Maui’s hosts birthday parties, school events, church gatherings, corporate outings, group events, and other special occasions.

Cardiff said the business was drawn to Owensboro because of its growing community and strong focus on families.

“Owensboro felt like the perfect fit for Maui’s,” he said. “We saw an opportunity to bring something unique to the area.”

One of the park’s goals is to provide a variety of activities in a single location, allowing families to spend an entire day together without traveling between multiple venues.

“We wanted to create a place where families didn’t have to choose between activities,” Cardiff said. “Instead of going to one place for bowling and another for arcade games, you can spend the entire day together under one roof having fun.”

Cardiff said the combination of attractions available at Maui’s helps distinguish the business from other entertainment options.

Guests can race go-karts, compete in laser tag, bowl, play arcade games, and enjoy mini golf during the same visit.

The business also emphasizes creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and enjoy themselves.

“From the tropical theme to our team members, we want every guest to walk in and feel like they’ve escaped on a mini vacation for a few hours,” he said.

As Maui’s continues to establish itself in Owensboro, Cardiff said the business hopes to become more than just an entertainment venue.

“We want to be a place where families celebrate birthdays, sports teams gather after games, schools hold events, and friends make memories together,” Cardiff said. 

That mission has been reinforced by the response Maui’s has received from the community since opening.

“The support we’ve received from Owensboro has been incredible,” he said. “We’re excited to continue building relationships with local families, businesses, schools, and community organizations.”

For more information about Maui’s Indoor Theme Park, visit mauisowensboro.com or follow the business on Facebook and Instagram.

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 Morgan Urbanski The Owensboro Times

DAVIESS CO., Ky. (WFIE) – Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the new location of Highland Elementary School.

As we previously reported, school board members approved the construction of a new location for the school back in August of 2025.

The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

The school is being built behind Davis County Middle School.

School board members, including board chair Tom Payne, approved the construction of a new location in August 2025.

“Four years ago, we stood here in this same spot to welcome a brand-new Davis County middle school. We’re proud today to be standing here for another beautiful school that will last for many many years,” Payne said.

Construction is expected to be completed in 16 months.

“To me it starts right today, we expect the dirt movers to be here immediately, you know were looking at sixteen months,” Payne said.

Payne has grandchildren who attend the school.

“We’ve been a part of this community for many many years … we know that is going to continue because that’s the spirit and the essence of Highland Elementary,” Payne said.

The current elementary school has about 535 students all on one floor.

The new school will have room for 600 students across two stories, along with a slide for students to go down when they meet incentives and goals.

“It’s gonna be state of the art, so all of the technology, the rooms will be very conducive to learning, hands on activities, we have a lot of community spaces in this new school, where our kids can come together to celebrate our growth,” said Beth Hutchinson, Highland Elementary School principal.

Hutchinson said she attended Highland when she was a child and is excited to welcome in the next generation to Highland.

By Madelyn Hanes and Aaron Weeks 14 News

A family-owned dry cleaning business with roots dating back more than 75 years has returned to Owensboro, bringing a third-generation approach to an industry that continues to evolve while remaining a staple service for many customers.

Nu-Look Cleaners, which operates a location at 3101 Alvey Park Drive East across from Chick-fil-A on Kentucky 54, is part of the broader Nu-Look Family of Cleaners, a company that now operates 11 locations across western Kentucky and southern Indiana.

“We’ve been in the family-owned dry cleaning business under the Nu-Look name since 1970,” owner Noah Mills said. “My grandfather purchased Nu-Look Cleaners in Henderson from a gentleman who had been running it since 1950.”

Mills represents the third generation of ownership and joined the business in 2018 after returning home from college. Since then, the company has expanded beyond Henderson through acquisitions and new locations, adding cleaners in Hopkinsville, Evansville, Newburgh, and Vincennes.

The company’s connection to Owensboro is not new. Mills said Nu-Look previously operated two locations in the city beginning in 1996 before selling them in 2003.

The return to Owensboro came after the company acquired the former Concord Cleaners pickup and drop-off location on Kentucky 54.

“We’ve been trying to get back over there, and this kind of fell in our laps,” Mills said. “We’ve been very happy with it since opening back up in Owensboro.”

While the company maintains storefronts across the region, all cleaning and pressing operations are handled at a centralized facility in Henderson. Drivers transport garments between stores and the processing plant daily, a model Mills said has become increasingly common throughout the industry.

“What the industry switched to about 10 to 15 years ago was this centralized model,” Mills said. “It used to be that every store was its own plant. People just don’t wear as many dry-clean-only items as they once did, so the need for that quick turnaround time isn’t what it used to be.”

That shift has reshaped the dry cleaning industry nationwide.

Mills said modern clothing materials, such as polyester and spandex, have reduced the number of garments that require traditional dry cleaning. At the same time, consumers have increasingly embraced casual attire in workplaces and everyday life.

“I think the definition of dressing up has changed,” Mills said. “It used to be you wore a suit and tie to work every day and definitely wore one to church on Sundays. That’s just not the case anymore.”

Instead, many customers now view dry cleaning and laundry services as a convenience.

“We specialize in what we call ready-to-wear clothing,” Mills said. “People want to be able to go to their closet and find something ready to put on. It’s become more of a time-saving service.”

Mills said while traditional dry cleaning remains important for suits, dress shirts, and formalwear, the company’s business has diversified significantly. Household items such as comforters and bedding now make up a substantial portion of the workload.

“We clean more than 100 comforters a week,” Mills said. “Everybody has these large king-size beds, and a lot of home washers just can’t handle them.”

Alterations have also become a growing segment of the business.

“It’s really hard to find seamstresses nowadays,” Mills said. “The need for alterations has definitely picked up over the last year or two.”

Despite challenges facing the industry, Mills remains optimistic about its future.

“When I came into the business, I thought it was something good to get started in, but I didn’t see it being something I’d do the rest of my life,” he said. “In the last five years, I’ve totally changed my opinion on that and realized it is a service that people like to have.”

He believes dry cleaners continue to occupy a unique place in communities, particularly family-owned operations that have served customers for generations.

“Everybody knows what a dry cleaner is. They just don’t know what happened to dry cleaners,” Mills said. “They were always a staple in every community.”

Many smaller communities no longer have local dry cleaners, a trend Mills said has continued across the region. Yet he sees opportunities for businesses that focus on customer service and long-term relationships.

“What we always try to tell people is that when we go to do something, we’re not doing it as a make-some-money-quick type thing,” Mills said. “We like being involved in the communities we’re in and try to stay open and in business for a long time.”

In addition to its Kentucky 54 storefront, Nu-Look also provides pickup and drop-off service through The Laundry Room on Old Hartford Road, continuing a service previously offered there by another cleaner.

For Mills, the Owensboro expansion represents more than business growth. It is a continuation of a family legacy that now spans three generations and multiple communities across the region.

“We’ve had some good success over in Owensboro that we want to continue,” Mills said. “We’ve been trying to get back over there, and this kind of fell in our laps. We’ve been very happy with it.”

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

The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art was created in 1977 — a year after the nation’s Bicentennial.

But it’s going all out for this year’s Sestercentennial — the nation’s 250th birthday.

Jason Edward Hayden, the museum’s executive director, said a highlight of “Kentucky 250,” which is sponsored by Owensboro Health, will be the unveiling of portraits of Col. Abraham Owen, for whom the city is named, and his wife, Martha Dupuy Owen.

The portraits are on loan from the Stacy family of Charleston, South Carolina, he said.

Those portraits will be displayed along with a portrait of Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, for whom Daviess County was misspellingly named, that is already in the museum’s collection.

Both men died in the battle of Tippecanoe on Nov. 7, 1811.

The exhibition will open with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on June 27 at the museum.

Hayden said the reception will feature reenactors of three important figures from the American Revolution.

McCellus Mayes will portray Crispus Attucks, who is considered the first casualty of the Revolutionary War, having died during the Boston Massacre.

Thomas Moseley, an Owensboroan and a member of the 9th Virginia regiment, will be portrayed by Asa Seiber.

And Jeff Stokes will portray Capt. John Parker, who commanded the Minutemen who fought at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.

The historic reenactors are sponsored by Modern Welding and Gene and Jacquie Howard.

They will also be in the museum galleries on June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m.

A number of art works from the museum’s collection that explore Kentucky history will be featured in the exhibit.

Hayden said, “A meticulously researched American Colonial Day Dress by Paula Alex Naas, a handcrafted Frontier ‘Possibles’ bag by Joe Mills and a traditionally forged knife by bladesmith Max Soaper highlight the skill, craftsmanship and material culture that shaped everyday life in Kentucky’s early history.”

Also showcased are miniature replicas of early American ships by Bardstown artist Jim Cantrell and several examples of “Ships in Bottles” by Owensboro artist Greg Alvey.

Leitchfield quilters Sharon Duke and Linda Gentry created a “Teaching Wall Hanging” that depicts historical events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

On loan from the Hancock County Museum and Historical Society is a handmade replica of the steamboat Robert E. Lee, by Hawesville artist Franklin Meserve.

And a needlepoint by artist John Schleicher rounds out the exhibition that highlights the state’s artistic heritage, family traditions and human connection with maritime technology.

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has loaned three graphic reproductions from William D. T. Travis’s Civil War panorama.

The original work stretched over 500 feet of canvas.

David Taylor, an expert in early Kentucky art and owner of David Taylor Antiques, said, “The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is providing a not-to-be-missed opportunity. The KY250 exhibition has assembled a remarkable and historically significant collection of paintings by many of Kentucky’s finest 18th and early 19th century artists.”

Dr. R. Wathen Medley and Jeanette Napier Medley, Greg Alvey, Dr. James F. Naas and Mrs. Paula Alex Naas, Jason Edward Hayden, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the Kentucky Historical Society, Jim Cantrell, Jamie DeWitt, Sharon Duke and Linda Gentry, the Stacy family and the Hancock County Museum and Historical Society all contributed to the exhibit.

It will continue through July 12.

Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer

Back in 1981, what’s now the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce announced a new program called “Leadership Owensboro.”

The charter class had 30 members.

The program was so successful that the Chamber is taking applications this summer for its 45th class.

“Strong communities need strong leaders and Leadership Owensboro helps cultivate the people who will shape the future of the Greater Owensboro region,” said Julia Kimbrell Brooks, director of talent programs for the Chamber.

She said, “We are excited to bring together the Class of 2027 and welcome a diverse group of individuals who are ready to grow, connect and lead.”

Leadership Owensboro is described as a “premier talent development program designed to educate, engage, and empower emerging and established leaders throughout the Greater Owensboro region.”

It helps participants develop “a deeper understanding of the opportunities, challenges and resources that shape our community,” the chamber says.

Topics studied include economic development, education, healthcare, government, justice, philanthropy, human services and the arts.

Brooks said participants are selected through a competitive application process and take part in monthly sessions from September through May.

Nomination packets are available on the Chamber website — chamber.owensboro.com.

They must be submitted to Vice President Kitty Jones at kjones@owensboro.com no later than July 3.

Applications will be sent to all nominees on July 6, and completed applications must be submitted by July 31.

The class begins with a mandatory overnight retreat September 17-18.

Members will participate in monthly programs through June 2027.

Class members will also complete assignments and engage in community meetings and events.

By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer

For the first time in 17 years, a newly chartered Kentucky bank has officially opened its doors, and it’s in the middle of Owensboro.

Cornerstone Community Bank has received its charter from the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions and its certificate of deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, both effective June 8, clearing the final regulatory hurdles for Owensboro’s newest locally owned financial institution.

The bank opens with approximately $25 million in capital raised from about 200 local shareholders, reflecting strong community support for what is the first de novo bank charter issued in Kentucky since 2009 and the first new community bank founded in Owensboro since 1997.

The charter and FDIC insurance approvals officially allow Cornerstone to begin accepting deposits and conducting banking operations.

Located at 1819 Frederica St., the bank officially opened on Monday with a soft opening before gradually expanding services over the coming weeks.

“We officially opened as Cornerstone Community Bank on June 8,” said Kyle Aud, the bank’s president and CEO. “We’ll start with a soft opening to make sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to, then spend the following week opening accounts for our 200-plus shareholders before opening to the general public the week of June 22.”

Aud said the bank will still welcome customers immediately.

“We won’t turn away any potential customers if they want to bank with us,” he said.

The locally owned institution continues to accept additional investors as it works toward a goal of approaching $30 million in capital.

Jon Lawson, chairman of the board, said organizers began discussing the project in December 2024 and have spent the last year and a half working through the process of launching a new community bank.

“It feels great,” Lawson said of the opening. “We started this back in December of ’24, and it’s gone really smooth ever since. I’ve been involved in some bank charters before, and this one went very smoothly.”

Cornerstone is the first de novo bank charter issued in Kentucky since 2009. Lawson said the scarcity of new bank charters can largely be traced to changes implemented after the 2008 financial crisis.

He said minimum capital requirements for new banks increased dramatically following the recession, creating a significant barrier for new institutions.

“No new bank could be opened unless it had $20 million in capital,” Lawson said. “That’s not a small number.”

Lawson said the bank’s local ownership and leadership set it apart from many financial institutions.

“Our board is composed of local people with local interest in the community,” Lawson said. “They have a strong desire for success, not only for the bank itself, but also for the community.”

Aud said several factors convinced organizers that the time was right to launch a new community bank.

“There’s currently only one local community bank in Owensboro and Daviess County that was founded here, and of all the banks in our market, only one has less than a billion in assets,” he said. “While there has been some consolidation among community banks locally, the bigger shift has been larger banks pulling back from supporting our community through small business lending, supporting local nonprofits, and volunteering their time.”

He said Cornerstone’s leadership team wants to return to the traditional role community banks have played in local communities.

“Cornerstone Community Bank is made up of community bankers who want to get back to the basics, and that includes being the kind of community leader that shows up for our neighbors,” Aud said.

A key focus for the bank will be local decision-making.

“The gap we want to fill is in local decision-making,” Aud said. “Between our board and employees, we have the knowledge to make the right calls for our customers, employees, and shareholders because we’re from here and we know them.”

Market President Andrew Howard said the bank’s mission extends beyond simply operating a local branch.

“Opening our doors marks an exciting milestone and a deep commitment to our community,” Howard said. “We are energized by the opportunity ahead to serve with intention and purpose, building meaningful relationships and providing a lasting impact in the lives of our customers and our community.”

Howard said local banking is about more than geography.

“Being local is more than having a presence; it’s who we are and how we serve,” he said. “It means showing up.”

Aud emphasized that the bank will not rely solely on personal relationships when evaluating loans, but said local knowledge remains an important part of the process.

“Character is a significant factor in every loan decision, and it’s one our organization is positioned to assess well,” he said.

Cornerstone’s first-year priorities extend beyond balance sheets and loan growth. Aud said organizers want to create a workplace culture that attracts talented employees and encourages community involvement.

“If you forced us to choose our top priority for year one, it would be to build a brand rooted in the belief that true leadership creates happy employees, then happy employees naturally want to help their customers and give back to their community,” Aud said.

The bank also plans to maintain a strong community presence through volunteerism and charitable support.

“Strong community banks play a significant role in the health and well-being of the communities they serve, and we plan to do exactly that,” Aud said. “Our employees and board members will be out there volunteering their time and showing up for our community.”

Organizers envision future growth beyond the bank’s initial location. Aud said success over the next three to five years would include opening additional branches, growing the employee base, and becoming recognized as one of the state’s top workplaces.

“Success for Cornerstone Community Bank in three to five years would be a bank with multiple locations in the area, a growing employee base, and one that ranks high in the Best Places to Work in Kentucky voting,” Aud said. “If we’ve been successful in hiring the best talent and we’re able to keep them happy and having fun, then satisfied customers and strong financial performance should follow.”

The bank’s ownership structure is another point of pride for organizers. Cornerstone is organized as a C corporation, allowing broad community ownership while preventing any one individual, family, or investor group from controlling the institution.

“We all agreed early on that to be a true community bank, the whole community needed an opportunity to invest,” Aud said. “We didn’t want to be perceived as owned by any one person, family, or group.”

Aud said opening a new bank has been a challenging process, particularly given increased capital requirements and regulations implemented since the Great Recession.

“It takes a special set of circumstances for a de novo to happen,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate because we had talented bankers willing to take the risk, organizers who believed in those bankers, and a community willing to show their support by investing alongside them.”

Cornerstone Community Bank’s main office is located at 1819 Frederica St. in Owensboro. Lobby hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Drive-thru hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. The bank can be reached at 270-215-2685.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times