Chamber Celebrates Industry Appreciation Month

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

Chamber President & CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD and Berry Plastics (Bowling Green) Plant Manager Terry Wix

In addition to honoring the 2009 Industry of the Year, Berry Plastics Corporation (Bowling Green location), the Chamber recognized the many industries that have chosen to locate or expand in South Central Kentucky.

"This banquet gives the Chamber an opportunity for us to show our support for economic development in South Central Kentucky," said Todd Davis, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors. "From new industries locating here to long-time employers expanding their facilities and creating even more jobs, it's clear that South Central Kentucky is a great place to live. The Chamber thanks everyone for their hard work and commitment to this region."

The Chamber's Industry Appreciation Committee organizes this banquet each year, as well as other events throughout the month of October and the Industry Golf Challenge in June to recognize industries in the region.

The banquet began with inspiring remarks by John Britt, nationally renowned speaker and co-author of Who Killed Change? Britt spoke on why 50 to 70 percent of change initiatives at organizations fail; he explained that customer service and communication are key to successful change initiatives.

"The numbers speak for themselves when we look at the importance of industry in our region. For every 100 new manufacturing jobs, 304 new people move to Bowling Green and Warren County. Those 100 new jobs also create a total economic impact of more than $33 million and create an addition 52 jobs in other fields. When we support our current industries and recruit new ones to join us here in South Central Kentucky, we're bettering the entire region," said John Lee, chair of the Industry Appreciation Committee.

Dan Preston, Vice President, Economic Development for the Chamber, shared the year's successes, touching on the Chamber's recent award from the International Economic Development Council and the success of the regional menu of services program. He then recognized the expanding industries in the South Central Kentucky region, which are

• Smuckers (Allen County)
• Casco (Butler County)
• GSYS Military Products, LLC (Edmonson County)
• DART Industries (Hart County)
• Bluegrass Recycling (Logan County)
• Anderson Forrest Products (Monroe County)

Warren County welcomed four new industries in 2009: Android Industries, Ground Effects, MetalWorks Recycle-Reload, LLC, and TMS Automotive. In Warren County, the expanding industries for 2009 are

• Alley-Cassetty Brick
• Corporate Service & Supply/CSS Coatings
• Fruit of the Loom
• Pan-Oston Company
• Shop NBC

In total, the new and expanding industries have made an enormous impact on the region for 2009, creating 1,153 direct jobs and 573 indirect jobs while investing more than $90 million in capital and providing a total of $201 million in local economic impact.

James N. Hizer, CEcD, President and CEO of the Chamber, commented on the strength of the economy in South Central Kentucky. "Bowling Green leads the state in terms of job growth, and we're growing faster than three-fourths of all cities in the United States. As we are consistently ranked among the top places for businesses and careers, we're proud of our positive business climate and that so many companies, like those honored here, have located in South Central Kentucky."

Hizer then introduced Berry Plastics Corporation as the 2009 Industry of the Year. Berry Plastics, Bowling Green began operations in 1995 on a 24-acre tract of land in the South Industrial Park in Bowling Green. The state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facility, which currently employs 185 South Central Kentucky residents, covers 170,900 square feet and manufactures injection and compression molded plastic closures primarily for the food, beverage and distilled spirits industries. The Bowling Green plant produces nearly 4 billion closures annually, with sales in excess of $75 million every year, and the year's projected sales for the Bowling Green plant will be more than $80 million.

After comments from Berry Plastics Plant Manager Terry Wix, Davis presented the Industry of the Year plaque to the company representatives. Then Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC CEO Mike Murphy and President Danny Daniel presented the Industry of the Year flag to the group.

"We are so very honored to receive the Industry of the Year Award," said Wix. "We're very grateful for the support we have received from the Chamber and our entire region."

Davis closed the banquet by thanking all industries for committing their operations to South Central Kentucky and for supporting the regional efforts of all partners.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the 2009 Chamber of the Year, as named by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. 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 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.