Why Owensboro?: Officials answer questions after four companies announce job expansions this summer

OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) – Two major job announcements in Owensboro mean hundreds of jobs opening up soon for the city’s workforce.

Owensboro has had four major jobs announcement with almost 670 new positions coming to the area.

County and city officials say this is an upward spiral for the area, and these jobs will generate hundreds of millions of dollars more to help secure future growth.

“More than just an incredible day, it is a banner day,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “Because the announcement today in terms of number of jobs is the largest jobs announcement this year in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

Beshear says 450 new jobs coming to the area with the expansion of Swedish Match, a company specializing in smokeless tobacco. But that wasn’t the only news of the day…

Major grocery store chain Publix announced its bringing 150 jobs to Owensboro with the opening of a new store at Gateway Commons.

“The vast majority of these are more than just jobs, they’re careers,” said Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation CEO and President, Claude Bacon.

Bacon says these announcements came on the heels of two other major jobs announcements this calendar month. R & L Carriers announced it was bringing 63 new jobs earlier this month, and Mizkan shared its intent to add another 44 full-time positions in July.

“There’s going to be over 650 people that are going to have a better way of life because these companies are relocating here, and you just can’t say anything better than that, said Daviess County Judge Executive, Charlie Castlen.

He says these new jobs will be enormous for retaining young people seeking jobs and attracting new people to the community.

“These are new dollars that are coming into our community that otherwise would not be here, so they certainly help spur our economy long term,” said Castlen.

Some may ask themselves, ‘Why are all these companies coming to Owensboro?’

“It’s all about the people. they recognize that,” said Bacon. “These companies are expanding, and there’s room for more>

Bacon says these 669 new jobs announced this summer are just the beginning of a development boom for Owensboro.

He says the 450 new jobs just at Swedish Match are expected to generate 2800 other jobs in the community in other trades and a total economic impact of more than $300 million.

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