|
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
|
|
|
|
|
The DC Fly-in participants visited with Senator Jim Bunning
while in Washington. Pictured: Jennifer Breiwa, Chamber
program director; Robbin Taylor, Western Kentucky
University (WKU) vice president of public affairs; Senator
Jim Bunning; Mike Gardner, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
(BGMU) water-sewers systems manager; Nancy Mitchell,
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manager valley relations;
Mark Iverson, BGMU general manager; and James N. Hizer,
CEcD, Chamber president and CEO. Rho Lansden, Lost River
Cave executive director, also participated in the Fly-in.
|
BOWLING GREEN, KY-Local business leaders and Western Kentucky University affiliates spent three days in Washington DC last week, taking the opportunity to talk about South Central Kentucky's priorities to the Kentucky congressional delegation.
Hosted by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the third annual South Central Kentucky Washington DC Fly-in was held on June 10-12 and led by Chamber President and CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD.
Seven individuals traveled to the nation's capitol to meet with Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, as well as Congressmen Ben Chandler, Ron Lewis, Hal Rogers, and Ed Whitfield.
"The Washington DC Fly-in is a legislative effort on behalf of the Chamber and our board of directors to reach out to our congressional delegation and to share with them the local issues that South Central Kentucky is facing," said Hizer. "The three days we spend in Washington give us an opportunity to articulate the challenges our region faces and to emphasize our successes with the hope of creating top-of-mind awareness for those who represent us on a federal level."
Participants focused on community development issues such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding and economic development issues such as opposing the tightening of federal ozone emission standards, which could cause counties in South Central Kentucky to be classified non-attainment. Other topics included infrastructure issues such as the Rochester Dam repair and the approval of moving the Bowling Green Warren County Regional Airport to the Kentucky Transpark. They
also showed support of the Congressional passage and implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with Columbia and South Korea.
Robbin Taylor, vice president of public affairs at Western Kentucky University, said the university views this trip with the Chamber as a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the mutual relationship between the region and the University, and it is important that the two be engaged with each other.
"This trip is a great opportunity for WKU to join in the meetings with Kentucky's Congressional delegation and to discuss the priorities we all share to promote growth and prosperity for Kentucky," she said.
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.
|