Johnson named to EDC post

Jamie Johnson, who spent the last three-and-half years as center director and business coach at the Kentucky Small Business Development Center in Owensboro, has been named vice president of workforce development, small business and entrepreneurship at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation.

She begins work on June 3.

Claude Bacon, EDC president, said, “Jamie has exhibited all the qualities necessary to be successful in this role. In her SBDC position, Jamie has already been a valued member of our office and her new role with the GOEDC team will strengthen the community even more.”

Johnson, an Owensboro native, worked earlier as the fund administrator for Marshall Ventures, a $2-million venture fund comprised of 16 local investors.

She has also worked at the Owensboro Convention Center and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Johnson serves on the board of directors for the Greenwell Foundation and the Owensboro Dance Theatre.

She and her husband, Logan, have two sons, Henry and Simon.

Johnson said she was thrilled to begin her new job.

“Owensboro has great potential for economic growth, and I’m confident that this position will make a meaningful difference in our community,” she said.

In 2021, as the region was coming out of the coronavirus pandemic, Johnson’s office helped more than 170 businesses create 407 jobs in the Daviess and 10 other area counties.

They added $2.7 million to the local economy that year.

Also that year, out of 14 SBDC offices across Kentucky with 24 business coaches, Johnson finished first among the state’s coaches in business starts, third in most approved funding projects and in the top 10 in clients serviced, capital funding and client hours.