Senator Mitch McConnell speaks in Owensboro

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was in Owensboro Thursday.

Senator McConnell spoke of issues of importance to the Commonwealth and the nation during the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Here’s his full conversation: LIVE: Senator Mitch McConnell speaking in Owensboro (14news.com)

Senator McConnell spoke on a variety of topics, ranging from the war in Ukraine to the upcoming election.

He also took time to reflect on his career.

“Without the people of Kentucky I wouldn’t have stayed there this long and without my colleagues I wouldn’t have become the longest serving Senate leader in American history, so I’m full of gratitude,” McConnell said.

Senator McConnell announced earlier this year that he will step down as Senate Minority Leader in November. He’s the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history. He will still serve as a Senator until his term ends in January 2027.

Rep. Sen. Mitch McConnell recognized for efforts in Owensboro

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — Republican U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell held a fireside chat at the city’s convention center. The Owensboro Chamber of Commerce also recognized the Senator for his contributions to the city.

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is taking the time to give U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky his flowers.

The legislator has had a hand in securing funding for several city staples like the Owensboro Riverfront and implementing laws aimed at revolutionizing the community’s health like the Tobacco Youth Act. The Act raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18-years-old to 21-years-old.

Senator McConnell sat down with former political reporter Joe Arnold to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth, including necessities in the agriculture world. He spoke briefly about the Farm Bill.

“…sort of the urban nature of the Democrats these days. We’re gonna continue to try to pressure them. We’ve had a one year extension already its very, very unfortunate for production agriculture,” says Senator McConnell.

The farm bill is a package of legislation passed roughly once every five years and touches on regulations for how food is grown, crop insurance, and healthy food access for low-income families.

State Representative D.J. Johnson of District 13 in Daviess County reflected on the lawmakers local efforts, including his hand in helping secure $50 million to develop the city’s waterfront.

“If we didn’t have the Riverfront, there would be no Friday After Five. There would be no car shows, and we just had the great race come through. It just goes on and on. Our economic situation would be so different. It just wouldn’t be the same,” says Rep. Johnson.

Chamber officials say they’re grateful to hear more about his several decades long political career and say they hope the conversation made room for other leaders to be inspired in the way they create community change.

“[Senator McConnell] summed it up the best when he said that ‘there’s two kinds of elected officials. One runs because they have something a point to make, and the others run because they want to make things happen.’ I think if we could think of what the lesson is in this room, it’s let’s be the people who want to make things happen…not the people with just a point to make,” says Candance Castlen Brake, the President and CEO of Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

By Sydney Davis WEHT

It’s time to rethink how we create change. Owensboro offers a way.

Conventional wisdom tells us that Americans don’t have the will and ability nowadays to come together and take shared action to move forward. But that’s dead wrong. It’s why I spend so much of my professional life working deeply with communities that seek to address America’s fault lines — places like Reading, Pa., Union County, Ohio, and Alamance County, N.C.

I recently kicked off our latest community initiative in Owensboro, Ky., by speaking at what’s affectionately called the “Rooster Booster Breakfast,” which is hosted by the regional Chamber of Commerce. More than 300 folks — a “who’s who” of the community — packed into Owensboro’s stunning riverfront convention center.

Owensboro is family-oriented, faith-based and built on deep interpersonal relationships. There’s been significant downtown redevelopment. And people take enormous pride in living there. But the area is also dealing with an array of challenges, from homelessness to a lack of youth opportunities to growing disparities between the haves and the have nots. Their civic culture —the relationships, norms, leaders, organizations and networks that enable a community to work together — has badly frayed and must be strengthened if the community is to make real progress.

I ultimately told them they face a fundamental choice: Adhere to the status quo and risk stagnation or seize opportunities to come together in new ways and build a better Owensboro.

Their response: a standing ovation.

Why? Because people in Owensboro are hungry for a new path forward, just like Americans all over the country. It’s a big reason why our“Enough. Time to Build.” campaign is spreading nationwide so fast.

At issue in Owensboro is the danger of stagnation. That’s different from, say, Reading, once declared the poorest community in America. Or Union County, a largely rural area grappling with rapid growth. Or Alamance County, one of the most divided places I’ve worked.

Regardless of any community’s particular challenge, so much of our country is stuck, unsure how to move forward. On top of that, what I keep experiencing in my travels is that our instincts for how to create change tend to take us in exactly the wrong direction. We turn to comprehensive plans: Seek to get as many groups and organizations and leaders around the table as possible. Spend endless time trying to coordinate everyone’s actions. Prioritize raising boatloads of money. And promise fast change.

Let’s be clear: The state of the country calls for something much deeper, more real and more promising. We must rebuild our belief in one another, demonstrate proof that we can take shared action and create growing momentum over time. Full stop.

The good news is that this is doable. That’s why, during my speech and a series of roundtables I also held in Owensboro, I asked leaders and active citizens from all parts of the community to think about change differently. To see it in terms of “starting small to go big” rather than “bigger is better.” To shift from just “getting together” to actually working together. To find what they can agree on and get moving on it. To catalyze and unleash a chain reaction of actions that not only addresses what matters to people but also strengthens the community’s civic culture. And to focus on creating a new trajectory of hope rather than seeking to solve everything at once.

Without fail, in every setting, one individual after another raised their hand to say, “I have something to contribute. I want to work on this together.”

It’s time to recognize that our very instincts around creating change are taking us in the wrong direction and to recalibrate around the practical steps we can take to get things moving again. This is core to what I’ve come to callour “new civic path,” a fundamental alternative to business as usual.

People in Owensboro are starting to forge this new path. When enough of us seize this opportunity, we can build stronger communities. And in turn, we can build a stronger country.

By Harwood is president and founder of The Harwood Institute. This is the latest entry in his series based on the “Enough. Time to Build.” campaign, which calls on community leaders and active citizens to step forward and build together.

The Fulcrum

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Swedish Match announces $230 million expansion in Owensboro

ZYN-it to win it: Owensboro now home to state’s largest new jobs project of 2024

Many citizens have asked, “With all this economic development talk, when will Owensboro benefit?” That answer came Tuesday when Swedish Match, a Philip Morris International Inc. subsidiary, announced a major expansion in Daviess County. In addition to hundreds of permanent jobs, officials estimated 2,800 trade jobs will be generated — all combining for an economic impact totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

Citizens, business owners, and elected officials flooded the riverfront on a hot Tuesday morning to hear Swedish Match leaders, Gov. Andy Beshear, and other elected officials announce the $232 million investment. The expansion will create 450 new jobs at the company’s Owensboro facility, which produces ZYN nicotine pouches. The project is expected to have a $277 million annual regional economic impact. 

“I’m excited to see this incredible new investment and the 450 great job opportunities it is creating for families in Owensboro and the surrounding region,” Beshear said. “Our economy continues to set records, and today’s announcement shows we’re bringing jobs to our people instead of making our people move to the jobs. I want to thank and congratulate company leadership for doubling down here in the Commonwealth and look forward to many more years of prosperity.”

The expansion, already under construction and set to be completed by the second quarter of 2025, will allow Swedish Match to meet the growing global demand for smoke-free products. 

The investment will also enable the facility to move from a 5-day to a 7-day production schedule. The new jobs will include roles in engineering, production, and quality control. Click here for more information on career opportunities. 

“Smoking cigarettes is the most harmful way to consume nicotine. We are accelerating our mission toward a smoke-free future,” said Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI’s U.S. business. “This investment in U.S. manufacturing capacity will increase the Kentucky plant’s workforce by about 40%, providing good-paying jobs and helping to meet the increasing demand for smoke-free products.”

Kennedy added that PMI has invested $12.5 billion globally to develop, scientifically substantiate, and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for legal-age nicotine consumers.

Company leadership noted a $277 million annual regional economic impact. Additionally, officials expect the construction phase will generate 2,800 trade jobs and a $400 million economic impact.

Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen highlighted the company’s long-standing presence in the community. 

“Since Swedish Match’s arrival in our community in 1973, they have been a premier employer where many of our neighbors have been thrilled to make their work home,” Castlen said. “With today’s announcement, Swedish Match’s Daviess County employee count will be more than four times what it was in 1973. On behalf of our community, I say thank you and congratulations to Swedish Match on this historic announcement.”

Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson stepped up to the podium to show his support for the company and the expansion. He flashed a ZYN can from his coat pocket and praised Swedish Match’s commitment to the community.

“For the past 50-plus years, Swedish Match has been a great corporate citizen and employer,” he said. “We are so appreciative they will continue their legacy in Owensboro. This new investment continues to prove why our community is a great place to do business.”

Claude Bacon, president/CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, also emphasized the impact of the expansion. 

“Congratulations to Swedish Match on this major expansion in Owensboro and Daviess County. For over 50 years, Swedish Match has been a significant contributor to the economic impact of Greater Owensboro,” Bacon said. “An expansion of this magnitude creates additional high-quality and high-paying jobs, positively impacting families in our community. Greater Owensboro is, in fact, greater because of incredible companies like Swedish Match.”

Kentucky lawmakers, including Sen. Gary Boswell, House Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, and Rep. D.J. Johnson, celebrated the announcement with a joint statement.

“This investment reflects the confidence that Swedish Match has in our skilled workforce and local community. Families in our area will benefit from well-paying jobs, and our local businesses will see increased economic activity.”

U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie also expressed his gratitude.

“Swedish Match has always been a great community partner,” Guthrie said. “I’m grateful to Swedish Match for continuing to invest in our community and look forward to working with their team for years to come.”

As the project progresses, officials said the community can expect increased opportunities and continued growth, reinforcing Owensboro’s position as a key player in Kentucky’s economic development.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Chamber Member of the Week: Nick T. Arnold Jewelers

As trends and national chains come and go, Nick T. Arnold Jewelers has withstood the test of time. Fourth-generation owner Candy Oakes attributes the store’s long-standing success to its timeless quality and deep-rooted community connections. 

Established in 1902, the family-owned business is not just Owensboro’s oldest jeweler but one of the oldest in the country.

Oakes, the great-granddaughter of founder Nick T. Arnold, shared the legacy of her family’s commitment to the craft. 

“We’ve been handed down the skills of jewelry repair, custom design, setting, and selling, generation after generation,” Oakes said. “There are very few jewelers with our background and expertise.”

The journey of Nick T. Arnold Jewelers began in downtown Owensboro, where it remained a fixture for 85 years. However, in 2007, the store relocated to 3630 Frederica Street. Oaks cited the changing dynamics of downtown and the need to stay accessible to their loyal customers as the primary reason for the move.

“Downtown had changed a lot over the years,” she said. “The traffic and environment were different, so we decided it was time to update our location.”

Continuing its expansion, Nick T. Arnold Jewelers opened a second store 5 years ago in Gateway Commons on KY 54. She said this move ensured the business could serve both sides of the city as the east side of the county continued to grow.

During the expansions, the core values of the business remained steadfast. 

“We are a very quality-focused, customer-centered store,” Oakes said. “We do everything we can to make our customers’ dreams come true, offering the best value with honest service. When someone comes into our store, they are known, and we make sure their experience is special.”

The bond between Nick T. Arnold Jewelers and the Owensboro community is something Oakes cherishes deeply.

“The community has been crucial to our success,” she said. “It’s one thing to do something well for a little while, but it’s another when generations of families trust you with their most special moments. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”

Oakes believes that the personal touch her family offers sets Nick T. Arnold Jewelers apart in a fast-paced world where quality and genuine service are often overlooked. As the store continues to thrive, its commitment to the community remains as strong as ever. 

“We want to make people feel special, and that’s what we strive to do every time someone walks through our doors,” Oakes said.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Chamber Member of the Week: Supreme Dream Realty

Vicki Boarman Ballard, a real estate industry veteran, has announced the rebranding of her company, Supreme Dream Realty LLC, as part of an expansion into Indiana. Originally founded in 2018 as Owensboro and Kentucky Dream Realty, the company’s new name reflects its broadened service area and renewed focus on providing exceptional real estate services.

Ballard began her real estate career in 2007 after many successful years in the banking industry. She founded the company with a deep passion for helping people achieve their real estate dreams.

“Real estate is more than a job to me; it’s about making people’s dreams come true,” Ballard said. “Whether someone is buying their first home or selling a property that’s been in their family for generations, we treat each transaction with the care and attention it deserves.”

Supreme Dream Realty’s rebranding is a strategic move aimed at expanding the company’s footprint beyond Kentucky while maintaining its strong presence in Owensboro and surrounding counties. 

Supreme Dream Realty prides itself on a team of highly trained, caring, and dedicated professionals. She said her team of licensed realtors brings their clients a wealth of knowledge and expertise, ensuring personalized service and exceptional results whether clients are buying or selling homes or commercial properties. 

The company’s mission statement reflects this dedication: “Transforming the real estate experience with integrity and a client-focused culture.”

“We believe every client deserves the highest level of care and attention,” she said. “We understand that buying and/or selling a home is a significant milestone, and we are here to guide you every step of the way. You are not just a number to us; we will treat you like family.”

As Ballard and her team at Supreme Dream Realty look to the future, they are eager to continue serving the Owensboro community and beyond. 

“Thank you for choosing Supreme Dream Realty LLC for all your real estate needs. We look forward to helping more people achieve their real estate dreams,” Ballard said.

For more information, visit www.SupremeDreamRealty.com.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Chamber Member of the Week: Bluegrass Biker News

In 1999, a poorly attended motorcycle poker run for a child in need sparked an idea that would grow into something much larger. Jimmy Rhoades and his wife were at the event when they realized they could do more to help. With a network of friends and a desire to make a difference, they began spreading the word about charity events throughout the tri-state area.

“We’re not rich, but we’ve got a network of friends,” Rhoades said. “If we start networking these charitable events to people, then attendance should grow, right? That’s literally how we started.

Rhoades and his wife initially traveled to biker bars and car shows, collecting information about upcoming charity events. They would make copies of flyers and distribute them, building a grassroots network that quickly expanded. As technology evolved, so did their efforts, moving from physical flyers to MySpace, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Bluegrass Biker News is a well-known name in the community today, particularly for its commitment to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For the past seven years, St. Jude has been the primary focus of their charitable efforts.

“We work with a national ambassador, Sue Ellen Henderson, based out of Southern Indiana,” Rhoades said. “She has an incredible passion for raising money for St. Jude, and we’ve been honored to support that mission through various motorsports events.”

One of the most significant events they organize is the Bluegrass Legends Experience, set to take place at Moreland Park and the Owensboro Sportscenter from August 16-18. The event will feature an all-vehicle show, food trucks, vendors, and the nationally touring Evel Knievel tribute.

Click here for more information about the event. 

“We don’t charge admission for the general public,” Rhoades said. “Our goal is to make it as cost-effective as possible for everyone to attend, especially families. Once we get you in, we focus on fundraising for St. Jude.”

Last year’s event saw over 600 cars, 50 vendors, and 30 food trucks. Rhoades is optimistic about surpassing those numbers this year, with a forecast of 900 to 1,000 vehicles.

With each event, the Rhoades continue to grow their impact, fueled by the same passion and commitment that started their journey 25 years ago.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times