Nov/Dec Chamber Connection

chamber connection

Letter from the Chairman

Happy holidays to you! The time has changed, the leaves have changed, and as always there are so many great things happening in the community.

In October we celebrated local targeted businesses at the Targeted Business Awards and recognized the John B. Holland Business of the Year award winner – Envision AESC! Also in October, the Chamber hosted its annual SCK LAUNCH Experience event and gave nearly 3,500 eighth graders a day of hands-on career exploration experiences. Thank you to the businesses that helped make these events possible.

The 88th Annual Celebration is coming up January 24th, and this year we will be honoring our many Chamber volunteers as part of the celebration. For the first time ever, the Chamber will present the annual volunteer appreciation awards as part of this already fantastic night. You don’t want to miss it!

This year is winding to a close, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as your Chamber chairman. I look forward to officially passing the gavel at the Annual Celebration on January 24th. See you there!

John Dix 2022 Chairman

PRESS RELEASES

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BREAKS GROUND ON SKILLED NURSING FACILITY IN THE KENTUCKY TRANSPARK

Bowling Green, KY, November 2, 2022 – Decades in the making, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) broke ground Wednesday on an 80k sq ft skilled nursing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The $50M investment will create 120 new jobs and serve disabled veterans in the south central Kentucky region.

BOWLING GREEN CHAMBER is Going Green

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Logan Aluminum to help minimize the waste going into landfills. Logan Aluminum proudly offered to be the official Water Sponsor. This sponsorship allows the Chamber to purchase aluminum canned water, instead of plastic, for guests that come into the Chamber for meetings and events. The aluminum cans can be easily recycled with the new service set up through Recyclops.

“Logan Aluminum is pleased to be a leader in recycling throughout Russellville, Bowling Green, and all of the Commonwealth. Our efforts are directed towards a reduction in landfill waste as well as lower greenhouse gases, a product of carbon fuel combustion. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and can be remelted and back on the shelves within 60 days, reducing carbon emissions. After enjoying your favorite drink in an aluminum

packaged beverage product, we challenge you to help “Close the Loop” with recycling to help us work towards a sustainable future for our community and environment,” said Mike Buckentin, President of Logan Aluminum.

Thank you to our partners and your support to help make Bowling Green a little greener.

Upcoming Monthly Networking Events

NOVEMBER 18 | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

Lunch + Learn

WKU Small Business Accelerator

WKU center for Research & Development 2413 Nashville Road, B8

NOVEMBER 29 | 4:30-6:30 PM 1950 Scottsville Road

Sponsored by: Independence Bank

DECEMBER 6 | 12-1 PM

Spencer’s Coffee 1915 College St. Sponsored by: Graves Gilbert Clinic

DECEMBER 15 | 4:30-6:30 PM

1818 Wallace Ct. Sponsored by: FORVIS

Targeted

The annual Targeted Business Awards, sponsored by PNC Bank, was held on October 12th in downtown Bowling Green at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center. The evening consisted of honoring 16 businesses with awards including the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award, given to Envision AESC which was sponsored by Bronze Star Partner The Murphy Construction Group.

Targeted Business and Industry Appreciation Month recognizes and celebrates targeted businesses and industries throughout South Central Kentucky for their accomplishments and the impact they have in the community. South Central Kentucky has experienced great success so far in 2022, announcing $2.33 billion in capital investment and creating 2,741 new jobs year-to-date.

The Chamber presented awards to targeted businesses in five other categories: Healthcare Enterprise, Newcomer, Business Expansion, Business Innovation, and Green to Gold. Holley Performance Products was also honored at the event for celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Judge Buchanon

Over 300 attendees came out on November 10, 2022 to support the Judge Buchanon Tribute Event, sponsored by The Murphy Construction Group. The night was a celebration of the support and service Judge Buchanon has provided our community over the course of his 29-year career. The event held at SKyPAC kicked off with a networking reception, sponsored by Med Center Health, followed by a formal program where attendees heard from many colleagues, delegates, peers and family members of Judge Buchanon.

Thanks to all the businesses that supported this event!

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Judge Buchanon for his many years of partnership and stewardship!

Throughout the day, the class learned through tours and discussion with local economic development and planning officials along with manufacturing and tourism professionals. The class gained a greater insight on how the local community is impacted by manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism opportunities.

Thank You

TO OUR DAY CHAIRS

A special thanks for coordinating Our Community & Economy Day

Julie Milam, WNKY Television

Nora Bryant, Visit BGKY

Bryan Carrico, Stewart Richey

Rachel Brown, Reynolds Corporation

Michele Lawless, Med Center Health Tray Allen

Class of 2023 Recap

The Leadership Bowling Green Class of ‘23 visited General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, and Lost River Cave for Our Community & Economy Day.

Approximately 3,500 students and 102 educators from 14 local school districts participated in SCK LAUNCH Experience on October 26-27, 2022 a hands-on career expo for eighth graders held each year in Bowling Green. In its sixth year, students had the opportunity to interact with 45 local businesses. Students were able to explore many of the career paths available in South Central Kentucky through interactive exhibits that showcased opportunities in our region’s high-growth, high-demand sectors.

Numerous local companies partnered to make this day possible for students including:

Atmos Energy, Bendix, Berry Global, BG Lodging Association, BGMU, Bowling Green Fire Department, Bowling Green Police Department, Carr Riggs & Ingram, Country Oven Bakery, English, Lucas, Priest, Owsley, LLP, FBI, FORVIS, Fruit of the Loom, Graves Gilbert Clinic, Henkel, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Holley Performance Products, Independence Bank, KIRIU USA, Legacy Goodall Homes, Logan Aluminum, M & L Electrical, Mammoth Cave National Park, Med Center Health, National Corvette Museum, Pan-Oston Company, Rosie, Scotty’s Contracting & Stone, Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC, SKYCTC, Stewart Richey Co., Stupp Bridge Company, TAZ Trucking, TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital, UK College of Medicine, Warren County Area Technology Center, Warren County Public Library, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Warren County Water District, WBKO, and WNKY.

A special thanks to the businesses that supported and sponsored this year’s event.

CO-TITLE SPONSORS

Graves Gilbert Clinic

US Bank

LEVEL 1 Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems

Henkel Corporation SKYCTC

LEVEL 2 FORVIS, LLP

Independence Bank Scotty’s Contracting & Stone

LEVEL 3 Western Kentucky University

DONORS

General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant

Sam’s Club

AARP Local Chapter #1967

Nonprofit Organizations

Adecco Employment/Staffing Agencies

All Cats & Dogs Veterinary Hospital Veterinarians

Allegiance Staffing Employment/Staffing Agencies

Builders FirstSource Manufacturers

Corporate Custom Rentals Apartments

Landon’s Sugar Shack Restaurants

Masters SupplyBowling Green Plumbing Fixtures/ Parts/Supplies

The Montessori School of BG Education

Powers Transit, LLC Transportation/Trucking

Senior Healthcare Resources Insurance

Shogun Bistro Restaurants

SKY Restoration DKI Fire/Water Restoration

Smith Bros., LLC Contractor-Commercial/ Industrial

Sober University, LLC Healthcare Services

St. Teresa Ministries Nonprofit Organizations

Stone Bluff Manor, LLC Real Estate-Management

Vita Nova Trucking Company Transportation/Trucking

ABR

Afni

Thank you for Renewing

Systems Group, LLC

America’s Home Place

Amy Milliken, Warren County Attorney

Barren River Area Development District

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC

Bigfoot Technology Group

BorgDirect Marketing

Bowling Green Fireplace & Grill, LLC

Bowling Green Municipal Golf Courses

Bowling Green Warren County Regional Airport

BPL Plasma, Inc. Bowling Green

CASA of South Central KY

CHASE

Combined Communications

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Cross Check Quality Inspection, LLC

Culver’s of Bowling Green

Destiny Dental

Diamond Equipment, Inc.

Double Dogs

Doug’s Motor City Bar & Grill

Dr. Greer Oral Surgery

Edward Jones Investments - Lloyd Williford, AAMS

El Mazatlan Restaurant & Grill-Cumberland Trace Farm Credit Mid-America

Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland

Felts Towing & Recovery, Inc.

First Step Prosthetics

Flex Market Truck Station

Forerunner

Garrott Bros Ready Mix

Gary Logsdon & Associates

Greenwood Properties H & H Sheet Metal

Habegger Corporation

Harlan Construction

Harlin Parker Attorneys at Law

Harris Rebar/Ambassador Steel

Hayes Shoes

Holiday Inn University Plaza Hospice of Southern Kentucky, Inc.

Jackson’s Orchard & Nursery, Inc.

Jane Parrott

Janice R. Avery, CPA, LLC

Jewelry Barn & Pawn Shop

Justin Reesy - Real Estate Consultant

Kerr-Greulich Engineers, Inc. Kirby & Moore, LLP Kirby Builders, LLC

Kroger #535, #585, #509

Lang Company

Lawton Insurance Lee Building Products Love and Warden Eye Care Lyons Service Company, Inc. Marpè Therapy Services Mick Murf Construction, Inc. NewCon Cleaning Northgate Pharmacy

Omega Technology Group, Inc. On Target Cleaning & Restoration ProMed Nurse Consulting Solutions Public Theatre of Kentucky

Q Coffee Emporium Bagels & Artisan Bakery Quality Fence Co. LLC Rafferty Development, LLC RF Group

Riverview at Hobson Grove Roger D. Welch, CPA

Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College

Southcentral Veterinary Services Southern Outdoor Furniture SpeedWash Car Wash Spencer’s Coffee Spillway Bar & Grill Stifel

Swan Financial Home Loans

Teresa’s Restaurant Thornton Furniture Tommy Kelley

Tony Huynh

United Way of Southern Kentucky Vision Source of Bowling Green Walker Towing, LLC

Western Kentucky Door & Specialties, LLC XBS of Bowling Green Yoder’s Sturdi-Built Sheds

S E R V I C E S M E N U

FOR STARTERS:

The

Work Experience Program (WEX)

Businesses host and train an eligible WEX participant at a position within the company while all wages are paid through government grant funds (called "WIOA")

Participants

On-the-Job

Development Board is committed to making sure job seekers have career opportunities and that employers have the talent they need Our Business Services programs and efforts are a vital component in helping employers with recruiting and retention