The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce along with the Economic Development Corporation and City of Owensboro officials unveiled the “community priorities” for the upcoming year, including permanent all-day funding for kindergarten, home rule for local government taxing, county-wide broadband, and the start of construction on KY 54 to Jack Hinton Road.
The local meeting occurs every two years before the General Assembly’s long session. After talking with officials on Monday, the groups feel that the 10 priorities they have selected can be good priorities to focus on for the next 2 years.
The intent of the Home Rule for Local Government Taxing Options is to level the playing field across the state when it comes to taxing citizens.
Atmos Vice President of Public Affairs Mark Martin said that the current standard right now is based on city size, and they have been advocating for home rule for many years.
“If they level the playing field, we’ll compete with anybody. You just give us a level playing field, that’s what we haven’t had for a long time,” Mayor Tom Watson said.
For the legislative category, the groups are hoping to get the money to fund youth employment programs, a new judicial center, and a second family court judge.
The committee also hopes to be able to codify the legislation to continue the all-day kindergarten funding permanently.
“That way, our local superintendents will be able to use the money that they had allocated for half-day to fund preschool for kids and through Owensboro-Daviess County,” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake said.
This is the first time there is a priority on the list focused on K-12 education.
When it comes to the infrastructure of the community, the committee is continuing to advocate for county-wide broadband internet.
For Watson, the events over the weekend has been an even further push to get this accomplished.
Watson added that getting started with the construction of KY 54 to Jack Hinton Road has been a number one project for the second district for a few years. The $64.7 million project is fully funded as long as the budget is kept.
Additionally in the infrastructure area, they are hoping to work on the transportation and roadways around the city — such as extending the interstate spur 165 to U.S. 60 at the Natcher Bridge, the Daviess County interchange on I-165, completing I-69, and upgrading the Audubon Parkway to I-69 Interstate spur (I-369).
“Transportation is the key to economic development. It’s that simple. If you can get your product marketing and get your people to the product, you’re not going to grow,” Watson said.
During the meeting with the legislators, the committee noted that it was overall a positive response. Watson said it is typical of legislators to usually take one item and focus on it; however, local officials are hoping this year that it will be all 10.
