Owensboro officials are pursuing federal funding for several major infrastructure and economic development projects, including riverbank stabilization along the downtown waterfront, development of the Massie industrial site, and construction of The Landing entrepreneurship center.
The Owensboro Board of Commissioners approved Municipal Order 10-2026 on Tuesday, authorizing City officials to apply for grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Economic Development Initiatives program within the Community Development Fund.
City Manager Nate Pagan said the opportunity arose only days before the meeting after the City was contacted by representatives from U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie’s office to submit potential projects for consideration.
Because the submission deadline is Wednesday, Pagan said City staff worked quickly to identify priority projects.
“We plan to submit the development of infrastructure at the Massie site, which we’ve talked about several times; The Landing, which is an initiative of the Economic Development Corporation; and then also a riverbank stabilization project,” Pagan said.
The stabilization project would address potential erosion concerns along approximately 500 feet of the Ohio River riverbank between McConnell Plaza and the Kentucky Legend Pier in downtown Owensboro, Pagan said. City officials are requesting approximately $6.5 million for that project.
The 121-acre Massie Property, which was purchased by the City of Owensboro in 2025, is being prepared as the community’s next industrial development site. As previously reported by the Owensboro Times, officials view the Massie Property as a critical next step in preparing land for future industrial growth as available acreage at the Owensboro AirPark becomes limited.
Funding will also be requested for The Landing, a planned entrepreneurship and coworking hub in downtown Owensboro being developed by the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation. The project, which will be located in the historic Turley Building, is designed to support startups and small businesses through coworking spaces, training programs, and entrepreneurial resources.
Pagan cautioned that the federal funding process could take time.
“I think this is something that will potentially be funded in the next federal fiscal year, which doesn’t even begin until October, so it’s not a quick process,” he said.
The municipal order authorizes the mayor, city manager, and city staff to submit the grant applications and execute any related agreements needed to pursue the funding.
The commission approved the measure unanimously.
