Speaker: Jamie Johnson, Center Director, Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Owensboro
Introduce yourself (your name, where you're from, what you do)
Jamie Johnson: Hi, my name is Jamie Johnson and I am, I MakeMyMove champion for my hometown Owensboro, Kentucky. I love Owensboro. I was born here, raised here. Um I went to Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green and then I moved to Nashville for about four or five years. But I knew deep down that Owensboro is really where I wanted to end up. I wanted to start my family here, grow my family here and you know that's exactly what I've done. I've been back in Owensboro for about 10 years now. Um I have a wonderful husband named Logan, two little boys ages eight and five, Henry and Simon. Um and we absolutely love living here. We couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I am the Center Director for the Small Business Development Center with the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation. And what I do is I help entrepreneurs in our community start businesses, grow their business, help their businesses thrive. I work with existing businesses, helping them with expansions and finding funding and marketing and any other you know, business related activity I can help with. I love doing this, it's a very fulfilling job. I love being able to help those small businesses in our community thrive and you know, really help them grow our economy
What part of town do you live in and what do you love about your neighborhood?
Jamie Johnson: So in Owensboro, I live in what a lot of people would call the city. Um It's the Griffith area, about two or three miles away from downtown Owensboro and our beautiful riverfront. I absolutely love living here. There are a lot of older homes, um, a lot of big trees. Um, it's also known as the Dogwood Azalea Trail. Um, so every spring, all the dogwoods and the azaleas bloom and it's just an absolutely beautiful area to live in. Um, there are a lot of kids, so of course my sons love having their friends around to play with. Um, we live in a cul-de- sac, which is perfect for us. Um, so you know, the kids can ride their bikes up and down the street, um, and play games and all of that, and it's just really a great place to live.
What's a must-do event or activity that remote workers should experience in their first year?
Jamie Johnson: There are so many fun events and activities in Owensboro that I would recommend anyone being here to go do or see. But my favorite by far is probably Porch Fest. Um, it's right in my neighborhood on Griffith Avenue. There are different bands that play on the front porches of all the homes in the area and you can come bring your lawn chair, sit in the front yard, listen to the bands play, get food from your favorite food truck. It's just a really fun day, you know, getting to see all your friends, listening to good music, just having a good time and relaxing. Um, it's probably my favorite, but we also have ROMP, a bluegrass festival held out at Yellow Creek Park. Um, we have Friday after Five on the riverfront, which is always a blast. There's just always something new and exciting going on, whether it's, you know, downtown or at one of the parks or at the Bluegrass Museum or the River Park Center. We just have a lot going on here in Owensboro. Um, and I'm really proud to say that I'm from Owensboro, Kentucky.
