South Central Kentucky Hosts Tour for Site Selectors 

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

BOWLING GREEN, KY—For three days this week, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce economic development staff and South Central Kentucky partners played host to site selectors from across North America, showcasing the region’s assets to these professionals. Leaders from throughout the region, along with representatives from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Tennessee Valley Authority, also participated in the three-day event.

"Each year site selection firms work with dozens of industries interested in finding a location for an office or manufacturing facility, or a warehouse/distribution center. Maintaining top-of-mind awareness with these site selection professionals is integral to marketing South Central Kentucky," explained Chamber President & CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD. "By hosting six professionals for a three-day tour of our region, we’re not just displaying our assets—we’re also reinforcing positive relationships with these men and women whose job it is to identify ideal locations for new industries."

Upon arrival on Tuesday, June 2, six site selectors were escorted to a Bowling Green Hot Rods baseball game against the Lexington Legends. After visiting the Kentucky Transpark on Wednesday morning, they boarded helicopters for an extensive tour of the South Central Kentucky region.

"I particularly enjoyed the aerial tour of the South Central Kentucky region," said Joan Herron of Herron Consulting in Atlanta. "When collaborating on economic development or site selection projects with regional economic development groups, it’s important for those in my profession to understand what the entire region offers. With assets in rural and metropolitan areas, South Central Kentucky is an attractive location for business."

"The extensive regional tour supported our enhanced regional marketing efforts by showcasing what the entire region has to offer. From Tompkinsville to Morgantown, we visited all nine partner counties, demonstrating to our visitors that South Central Kentucky offers an array of locations and assets for new industries," said Miller Slaughter, Chamber director, regional development.

The group spent Wednesday evening at a networking reception at the National Corvette Museum. After a 5-minute networking session and panel discussion on Thursday morning, the tour ended with a round of golf at Olde Stone and other recreational activities.

"The Chamber’s staff and partners clearly know how to make visitors feel at home. I’m often asked to participate in tours such as this, but I can truly say that the past three days have been some of the best I’ve experienced during my career as a site selection professional," said Gregg Wassmansdorf of Colliers International in Toronto. "While meeting and networking with local leadership from South Central Kentucky, I found the cooperation among communities strong and was impressed with the infrastructure, resources, and business-friendly focus of the region."

The Barren River Area Development District and Warren Regional Electric Cooperative Corporation provided financial assistance to the Chamber for the tour. "This tour would not have been possible without our event sponsors," said Chamber Chairman Todd Davis. "BRADD’s and Warren RECC’s financial support helped us deliver a first-class event, and we thank them for their assistance."

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.