Bowling Green Ranked Again by Site Selection Magazine

Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY-In its national rankings released on March 9, Site Selection magazine recognized the Bowling Green metropolitan area for its number of industry locations and expansions in 2008. Bowling Green was listed as 8th in the nation among metropolitan areas with populations under 200,000. This is the second year in a row Bowling Green has been ranked in the magazine's Top 10 rankings.

Having announced six industry locations and expansions in 2008, Bowling Green tied for 8th place with Owensboro, Ky.;  Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, Va.; Dubuque, Iowa; Elkhart-Goshen, Ind.; Muskegon-Norton Shores, Mich.; and Tuscaloosa, Ala.

"It is an honor to once again be recognized in this well-known publication," said James N. Hizer, CEcD, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. "To have another Top 10 ranking is a real testament to the competitiveness of Bowling Green and the entire South Central Kentucky Region. Since 2004, we've created more than 6,600 new jobs and $800 million in economic investment. That's an outstanding achievement for this region."

Site Selection publisher Conway Data's yearly analyses are regarded as "the industry scoreboard" by corporate real estate analysts. The magazine's circulation base consists of 44,000 executives involved in corporate site selection decisions. To determine the rankings, Site Selection utilized Conway Data's database to track industry location and expansion projects on a state and metropolitan area level. Qualified projects include those that meet at least one of three criteria: (1) involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, (2) create 50 or more jobs, or (3) add at least 20,000 square feet of new floor space.

"Site Selection is the premier magazine for economic development professionals," said Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker. "We're proud to be recognized in such a nationally renowned venue like this publication because of the top-of-mind awareness it creates for professionals throughout the field."

Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon agreed. "To be ranked once again in the Top 10 is an impressive honor, one that is deserved by all of South Central Kentucky because our regional partnership plays such a strong role in attracting site selectors."

In total, new and expanding industries in South Central Kentucky created 1,326 direct jobs and 276 indirect jobs last year. These industries are investing $44.8 million in capital and providing a total of $100.9 million in local economic impact to the region.

"On behalf of the entire Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, I'd like to congratulate our economic development staff for this achievement, which would not be possible without their hard work and innovative approach to economic development," said Todd Davis, 2009 chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors.

Site Selection placed Kentucky 9th in the nation for its annual Governor's Cup rankings; this ranking marks Kentucky's highest placement in the ranking since the inception of the Governor's Cup. The ranking is based on a state's total number of qualified projects as tracked by Conway Data Inc.'s New Plant database. During 2008, Kentucky generated 162 projects that met the database requirements. In total, 280 location or expansion announcements were reported in Kentucky resulting in 11,536 net new jobs created.  Investment was estimated at more than $1.8 billion. Kentucky has the smallest population of any state ranked in the top 10.

A total of eight smaller Kentucky communities were also listed in the magazine's Top Micropolitan Ranking. Frankfort (T14), Paducah (T26), Danville (T41), Glasgow (T41), Madisonville (T41), Campbellsville (T65), Murray (T65) and Somerset (T65) made the 2008 Top Micropolitans list.

The article and rankings can be viewed in their entirety at www.siteselection.com.

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.