ARTICLE
Date ArticleType
6/16/2009 Community/Chamber
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Fourth Annual DC Fly-In


Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Fourth Annual DC Fly-In


Contact:
Jessica Thompson, Communications Director
781-3200, jessica@bgchamber.com


    

The DC Fly-in participants visit with Representative Brett Guthrie.

BOWLING GREEN, KY-Local leaders throughout the region, Western Kentucky University affiliates, and members of the Board of Directors of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce spent several days in Washington D.C. last week discussing South Central Kentucky's legislative priorities with members of the Kentucky congressional delegation.


Hosted by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and led by Chamber Board Chairman Todd Davis, the fourth annual South Central Kentucky Washington DC Fly-in was held on June 9-11.


"The DC Fly-in is an additional legislative effort on behalf of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and our Board of Directors to reach out to our legislative delegation on behalf of the Chamber partnership," said Chamber president and CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD.  "The time we spend in Washington not only gives us the opportunity to present our priorities and positions on significant federal issues, but it also gives us the opportunity to thank the legislators who have worked hard to make positive changes for South Central Kentucky.”


Fly-in participants who traveled to our nation’s capitol had the opportunity to spend time with Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning along with Congressmen Brett Guthrie, John Yarmuth, Hal Rogers, Ed Whitfield, Ben Chandler and Geoff Davis.


“The Washington DC fly-in is a great opportunity for Chamber partners to thank our legislators for all of the work they do on behalf of our community and region,” said Todd Davis, 2009 chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. “It is also a chance to have a dialogue with our senators and congressmen about issues that impact our business climate.”


Issues discussed included the key congressional priorities identified by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Topics ranged from the opposition of the Employee Free Choice Act to support for free trade agreements with Columbia and South Korea.  Participants also discussed the funding for the Corps of Engineers to repair the Rochester Dam on the Green River, funding for the Corps of Engineers to study raising the level of Barren River Lake to improve the water supply of Bowling Green and other regional communities, the funding of additional master planning for the Kentucky Transpark, and additional funding for Western Kentucky University initiatives.


“We appreciate the time and attention our legislators in Washington give us each year to discuss our views and needs,” said Marc Elliott, vice president of property development and public policy. “It is certainly time well spent.”


Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. 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.