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Bowling Green is a Top Five Location for Business and Careers
City Climbs 28 Spots on Annual Forbes Magazine List
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY-Forbes Magazine has recognized Bowling Green for the metropolitan area's positive business environment once again. The city is listed as No. 5 in the magazine's recently announced Best Small Places for Business and Careers on www.forbes.com. Bowling
Green climbed 28 spots in the annual list, having been ranked No. 33 in 2010. It is the No. 1 southeastern U.S. location on the list.
"Recognition on this list is another acknowledgement that our city is a great place for business and professionals," said Mayor Joe Denning. "I'm proud to see that we've once again been called out for our work here and that we've grown substantially in the rankings."
Forbes based its rankings on six categories in which it ranked 184 small metropolitan areas (population less than 252,000). The rankings were identified through an index on cost of labor, energy, taxes and office space and college degrees of the adult population, with nationally recognized indices--Moody's Economy.com and
Sperling's BestPlaces--and the U.S. Census as sources for these rankings. The six categories, along with Bowling Green's ranking, are as follows:
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Cost of Doing Business: 31
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Economic Growth Projected Rank through 2013: 28
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Educational Attainment Rank: 40
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Income Growth Rank from 2005 through 2010: 18
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Job Growth Projected Rank through 2013: 28
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Net Migration Rank from 2005 through 2010: 11
Bowling Green's ranking would not be possible without the region's economic development efforts, according to Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon. "Regionalism plays an enormous part in any business expansion or location. It's because of our regional approach that so many of our businesses thrive here. Our workforce is one of the best in the nation, and our costs remain low because of the entire region's commitment to sustaining and growing our business community."
The No. 5 ranking signifies the continuation of successful economic development efforts in South Central Kentucky. In 2010, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce participated in 21 economic development projects, announcing 1,653 new and retained jobs, and a capital investment of more than $241 million for the South Central Kentucky region. Additionally, these industry projects will generate another $140 million in annual economic impact for the region.
These projects are listed in the following table:
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Integrated Pharmaceutical Company
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Barren
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2010
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New
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$5,150,000
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100
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Certifed Flux Solutions
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Butler
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2010
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New
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$863,000
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12
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Renaissance Industries
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Edmonson
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2010
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New
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$1,070,000
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15
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Kentucky Chrome Works LLC
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Hart
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2010
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New
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$2,650,000
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80
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Medina Blankings (Shiloh)
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Warren
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2010
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New
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$9,929,500
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60
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Pure Power Technologies
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Warren
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2010
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New
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$884,440
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10
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Amneal Pharmaceutical Company
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Barren
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2010
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Expanding
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$6,608,000
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48
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Corvac (Eleison)
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Butler
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2010
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Expanding
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$8,100,000
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75
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Gulfstar Energy
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Butler
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2010
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Expanding
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$5,000,000
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7
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Sister Schubert
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Hart
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2010
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Expanding
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$33,250,000
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65
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Country Oven Bakery
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$10,600,000
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33
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Owl's Head Alloys Inc
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$3,000,000
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30
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Xhale Inc
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$175,000
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13
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Topura America Fastener
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$9,340,000
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30
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Sun Products (Huish Detergents)
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$23,970,000
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73
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Fruit of the Loom
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$47,000,000
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600
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NASCO
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Warren
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2010
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Retained
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$10,010,000
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206
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SCA Personal Care
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$44,178,000
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65
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Magna Car Top Systems
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$952,775
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30
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Bando USA
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$7,075,877
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15
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American Howa Kentucky
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Warren
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2010
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Expanding
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$11,500,000
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86
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|
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2010
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New
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$20,546,940
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277
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|
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2010
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Expanding
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$220,759,652
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1376
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2010
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Totals
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$241,306,592
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1653
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Thus far in 2011, the Chamber has participated in four economic development announcements that include a capital investment of $163.25 million and the creation of 673 new jobs.
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Sequa Automotive (ARC)
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Butler
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2011
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New
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$7,100,000
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280
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NASCO
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Warren
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2011
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Expanding
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$20,000,000
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108
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General Motors
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Warren
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2011
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Expanding
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$131,000,000
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250
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Apace
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Monroe
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2011
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Expanding
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$5,150,000
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35
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|
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2011
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New
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$7,100,000
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280
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2011
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Expanding
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$156,150,000
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393
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2011
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Totals
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$163,250,000
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673
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"It's a great achievement to be highly ranked in Forbes," said 2011 Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Rodney Rogers. "We've shown that our community is an ideal location for economic growth, and we'll continue to do so as we actively meet with our existing business stakeholders and potential investors."
To learn more about these rankings, visit http://www.forbes.com/best-places-for-business/list/small?&ascend=true&sort=rank.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.
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