Business Activity Pleases Bryant
by Keith Lawrence, MI
Unemployment in Daviess County is nearing double digits for the first time in more than two decades. Several businesses have closed, and others are scaling back.
But Malcolm Bryant, a local developer, says there's a lot more economic activity going on in Owensboro than a lot of people think.
"Despite the economic climate, we see a good amount of activity in our existing properties," he said in an e-mail. "I'm not sure that I would speculate on new development at the moment, but there is existing positive flow."
At his Owensboro Hampton Inn, 615 Salem Drive, Bryant said, "We are undergoing over $1 million in improvements ... including flat-screen TVs, new fitness equipment, guest room furniture and artwork, wall covering, lobby furniture and state-of-the-art technology."
At The Springs Health Centre, 2200 E. Parrish Ave., he said, "We are moving our first occupant into the most recently completed building" - Building E.
Dr. Zouhair Bibi will soon be joined in the new medical building by two other physicians and Pedia Research, "all developing expansions," Bryant said.
"Next to Niko's is a new medical laboratory - The Springs Medical Laboratory," he said.
At the Corporate Centre, 401 Frederica St., Bryant said, Colonial Insurance opened a medical health insurance headquarters last fall.
"They have already outgrown their space and are expanding in the spring to The Midtown Building," he said. "We are welcoming User Friendly Phone Book with a regional office in an expansion from The Midtown Building (to the Corporate Centre)."
Comfort Keepers expanded to the Corporate Centre from The Midtown Building, 920 Frederica St., at the end of 2008, Bryant said.
"Arizon Insurance will open a new office here in August," he said.
The Department of Public Advocacy, which had previously been housed at the Executive Inn, moved into the Midtown Building in January, Bryant said.
"Dr. Tony Holder opened a family physician practice in November," he said. "Farm Bureau opened a new office. Q101 radio station relocated from the Executive Inn. Lighthouse Counseling has expanded. Spherion management has opened a new office here. And Dr. Randy Cox is opening a new office for neurological medicine."
Faith Bookkeeping has opened a new office in the National City Bank Building at 100 W. Third St., Bryant said. And "Northwestern Mutual is opening a regional office here in June."
Riverside Transport has expanded into a building at 1700 Ragu Drive, he said. Metro Urology opened an office in the Medical Center Office Building, 1101 Triplett St., in January.
And Owensboro Therapeutic Massage has opened a new office in the Courtyard Office Park, 5000 Backsquare Drive.
Keith Lawrence, 691-7301,klawrence@messenger-inquirer.com
