Chamber Partners Visit Legislators on South Central Kentucky Washington, DC Fly-In

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

BOWLING GREEN, KY-South Central Kentucky leaders traveled to the nation's capitol to visit legislators and their representatives during the South Central Kentucky Washington D.C. Fly-In.

Hosted by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and led by Board Chairman Rodney Rogers, President & CEO Ron Bunch and Program Director Lindsey McClain, the Fly-In was held on July 12-14. The following local Chamber partners participated in the Fly-In:

• Mike Buchanon, Warren County judge executive
• Steve Davis, board chair-elect, Realtor Association of Southern Kentucky, Inc.
• Bill Garrison, chief financial officer, Stewart-Richey Construction, Inc.
• Wayne Goodrum, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation
• Carolyn Hardcastle, Consolidated Paper Group, Inc.
• Charles Hardcastle, president, Consolidated Paper Group, Inc.
• Dr. Gary Ransdell, president, Western Kentucky University
• Rick Starks, vice president, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation
• Robbin Taylor, vice president for public affairs, Western Kentucky University

Fly-In participants met with U.S. Congressmen Ben Chandler, Brett Guthrie and Ed Whitfield, and U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. They also met with representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressmen Geoff Davis, Hal Rogers and John Yarmuth. Discussion topics included

• Improving the regional transportation system
• Funding the repair of Rochester Dam and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Supply Allocation Study of Barren River Lake
• Improving regional site location competitiveness by funding infrastructure projects and site-readiness certifications
• Supporting the continuing improvements at the Kentucky Transpark
• Continuing and increasing grant allocations for college students
• Funding technical education programs
• Studying real estate issues such as short sales, mortgage loan limits and HR4173 (Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)

"Our time spent in Washington gives us the opportunity to present our priorities and positions on significant federal issues and to thank the legislators who have worked hard to make positive changes for South Central Kentucky," said Rodney Rogers.

For more information about the Chamber's legislative priorities and programs, visit www.bgchamber.com.

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.
 
Visit www.bgchamber.com to learn more about the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.