Greater Owensboro leaders on Thursday traveled to Frankfort for Greater Owensboro Chamber Day, where they met with legislators, attended legislative sessions, and promoted the strength of their community. The day concluded with West Kentucky Thank You Night, bringing together business and government leaders from across the region.
Attendees had the opportunity to sit in on sessions of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, where Owensboro representatives helped open the proceedings.
“Greater Owensboro Day and West Kentucky Night in Frankfort create a statewide awareness of the strength of our community,” said Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake. “This work not only creates opportunities for us to share our story with the rest of the Commonwealth, it connects our current leaders and grows our future leaders. It advances our goals and it also demonstrates our strength. Our community shows up. We work together. We speak with one voice.”
Participants also met with state legislators and members of the executive branch, including Transportation Secretary Jim Gray, constitutional officers, Council on Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson, and Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert.
“Our Chamber members who participated this year ranged in age from 23 to 74,” Brake said. “We were nonprofit leaders, small business owners, accountants, carpenters, technology experts, bankers, corporate leaders, musicians, health care officials, education leaders, and craftspeople. But when we walk in a room together, we are Owensboro. And the friendships, associations, and connections we make are palpable.”
The day concluded with West Kentucky Thank You Night, where Chamber and business leaders gathered with special guests including Governor Andy Beshear, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Congressman Jamie Comer, and State Rep. Suzanne Miles. The event also featured bluegrass musicians representing Owensboro’s musical heritage.
Brake extended her appreciation to those who participated, emphasizing the community’s shared commitment to progress.
