BG Chamber introduces “Pathway to Progress” set to diversify economy
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A new initiative at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce looks to the future of Bowling Green and its “Pathway to Progress” with a focus on attracting more businesses and companies to the area.
“It really focuses on what the business community feels are the major opportunities that we have: infrastructure, diversification, workforce and those sorts of things so that we can continue the momentum that we have in Bowling Green/Warren County… improving the quality of life and creating more jobs for people in our region,” Ron Bunch, the President & CEO of the Chamber says.
The main goal is to introduce at least one new project a year that can help with the economy in the area for the next 5 years.
“Last year, in 2024, we actually announced 24 different projects. So we expect to still work our general projects at the pace we’ve been on… but what we’re talking about is specifically projects that help us diversify the economy. More companies that are technology intensive, more office based. So those are the one a year companies that were intended to add to what we’re doing,” Bunch says.
One of those companies is ValorFlex Packaging, who recently announced a move to Bowling Green. CEO Thomas Hazlette explains why he made the choice to come here:
“Kentucky’s home for me, and it’s home for a lot of our team… but it’s still close enough for them to be able to go and to see their families in the metro Nashville area and things like that.”
He’s also excited to be part of the growth of Bowling Green in the future.
“We’re going to be fully invested in this community… it feels great to meet so many good people, to hear so many great ideas, to hear so many people talking about ideas and a path forward rather than… and not focusing on the past or the current. How do we set up a better future for our children and our grandchildren? To be part of that is rewarding beyond measure, but it’ll be rewarding for our team members too,” Hazlette says.
The chamber is excited to be the catalyst for the future of Bowling Green as well.
“If an area stops growing, that’s really when it starts to decline, and it’s very difficult to regain momentum. So what we need to do is continue the momentum, and things like the BG 2050 Initiative really shape how we want Bowling Green to be as we grow,” Bunch says.
