The 12-month, $10 million construction for the new headquarters of Big Rivers Electric Corp. is expected to begin this fall and be occupied by the end of 2022. While they are still more than a year out from occupying a space in downtown Owensboro, Big Rivers is already playing an active role in giving back to the community.
The building will be located at 700 W. 2nd St. next to Boardwalk Pipeline Partners. The first four floors will be the same size, while a fifth floor won’t be as wide or long.
“We’re in the design phase now, getting estimates, getting the specifications, getting ready to bid out the construction,” said Big Rivers President and CEO Bob Berry.
Their next move — which Berry expects to complete this month — is to get a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission. Once that’s approved, the rest of the process toward starting construction will quickly follow.
Berry is hoping the building is complete and fully in use by Dec. 31, 2022.
There will be about 120 employees, most of which will be retained from the current location — though Berry said a few positions may open if some people elect to not make the drive to Owensboro or relocate.
Some employees have already made plans to relocate, Berry said — contributing to the estimated $100 million impact the move is expected to have on Owensboro.
Berry said that number came from the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and includes a variety of factors including property and occupational taxes as well as a payroll of nearly $15 million per year. It also includes those employees doing personal business or shopping and eating at local restaurants.
Berry said they initially looked at a few sites to renovate but ultimately decided a fresh build was the best option.
“We looked at existing buildings, but we would have to give up some things that we wanted — it’s kind of like building a new home versus existing,” he said. “Parking was a big deal to us. We wanted our own on-site parking.
Despite being very early in the relocation process, Big Rivers is already contributing financially to Owensboro. They donated a total of $25,000 to The Daniel Pitino Shelter and the Hayden Home for Girls in May. They’ve also got a few sponsorships lined up for big events in the community.
“We’re a significant partner in the community,” Berry said. “We’re a cooperative, and so we’re owned by people who purchase electricity from us. So we’re owned by the community, and we’d like to give back to the community that we’re located in. And I think you’ll see a lot of that type of support to the nonprofits in the community.”
Berry said Big Rivers is also looking to move their energy and transmission group — about 34 more employees — which would be “ another significant investment in a building.”
He said once they get settled in Owensboro, they might look into plans for further expansion.
“We do have some plans that, you know, there so early in the process, but there are some expansion plans that we have in the future that could bring some additional employees in,” he said.
Big Rivers provides energy to approximately 122,000 customers. Since May of last year, they’ve also provided electricity for Owensboro Municipal Utilities.
