Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce honors 21 businesses with awards

BOWLING GREEN, KY. (October 13, 2021) – The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce honored 21 businesses with awards Wednesday night at the annual Targeted Business Awards Banquet sponsored by PNC Bank. Ball Corporation received the highest honor of the evening, the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award. The event was held at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) with Doug Gorman, Warren County Magistrate (District 1), serving as the evening’s emcee.

The banquet is held every October, in conjunction with Targeted Business and Industry Appreciation Month, to recognize and celebrate targeted businesses and industries throughout South Central Kentucky for their accomplishments and the impact they have in the community. South Central Kentucky has experienced great success in 2021, announcing $504M in capital investment and 1017 new jobs year-to-date.

“The Targeted Business Awards Banquet is one of our favorite nights of the year. We get to honor the many contributions our targeted businesses and industries bring to South Central Kentucky.” Said Chris Thorn, CEO of Graves Gilbert Clinic and 2021 Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chairman. “These companies employ thousands of people and invest millions of dollars in our region. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the overall impact these businesses bring to our beautiful communities. These companies, large or small, help make South Central Kentucky the very best place to live and work in the Commonwealth.”

“Our existing targeted businesses are what fuel the continued growth of our region’s economy,” said Ron Bunch, President & CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is a privilege to be able to support them every day, and it is only fitting that we honor them through this event for the impact they’ve had through capital investment, job creation and community engagement right here in South Central Kentucky.”

The John B. Holland Business of the Year Award, named to honor Mr. Holland and his dedication to business success in the community, was awarded to Ball Corporation. In January of 2021, Ball Corporation chose Bowling Green as the location of their new aluminum beverage packaging manufacturing plant. They are currently ramping up for production to begin in early 2022 and have created nearly 200 jobs for south central Kentuckians.

In attendance to accept the award was Steve Tua, Director of Operations for Ball Corporation. “We are honored to be chosen as the John B. Holland Business of the Year in Bowling Green,” said Tua. “This award is especially meaningful because it celebrates being part of the community in which we live and work with our neighbors, which is a hallmark of Ball and something that is at the core of our plant team’s values. We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with the Bowling Green community.”

Ball Corporation is the largest supplier of infinitely recyclable aluminum beverage packaging in the world, operating 70 locations on five continents. Their $300M capital investment makes them the largest attraction project the South Central Kentucky region has seen since 2004.

The John B. Holland Business of the Year Award was sponsored by President’s Club Bronze Star Partner The Murphy Construction Group which includes Scott, Murphy and Daniel, LLC, Scott & Murphy, Inc., and Hartz Contracting.

The Chamber presented awards to targeted businesses in five other categories: Healthcare Enterprise, Newcomer, Business Expansion, Business Innovation, and Green to Gold. Ron Bunch, Chamber President and CEO, presented the awards. General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant was also honored at the event for celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Healthcare Enterprise Award – Sponsored by Vid Monster Productions:

For South Central Kentucky healthcare organizations that expanded operations in 2021, investing capital and creating new jobs for local residents.

2021 Recipients:

Med Center Health
TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital
Newcomer Award – Sponsored by German American Bank:

For companies that are new to South Central Kentucky and have announced a location here within the past 12 months.

2021 Recipients:

Ball Corporation
Bluegrass Ingredients
Fruehauf, Inc.
Harbor Steel and Supply
Material Handling Systems, Inc.
Nova Steel, Inc.
Business Expansion Award – Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Authority:

For South Central Kentucky businesses that expanded operations in 2021, investing capital and creating jobs for local residents.

2021 Recipients:

Android Industries, LLC.
Bowling Green Metalforming
Castlen Steel
Cross Check Quality Inspection, LLC.
Delta Faucet Company
Dollar General
Fruit of the Loom
Pink Lily
Rhenus Automotive Operations, LLC.
Southeastern Marketing and Distribution, Inc.
Stratus Plastics, Inc.
Business Innovation Award – Sponsored by Stewart-Richey Construction:

For South Central Kentucky companies that – through product or process – best exemplify innovative leadership.

2021 Recipient:

Trace Die Cast, Inc.
Green to Gold Award – Sponsored by Bowling Green Municipal Utilities:

For companies that best exemplify “green” leadership as it pertains to the region’s goals to become a leader in this emerging field.

2021 Recipient:

Logan Aluminum

Finally, the Chamber would like to extend a special thank you to our title sponsor, PNC Bank, and additional sponsors for making the 2021 Targeted Business Awards a success. In addition to the award sponsors listed above, the following Chamber partners sponsored a portion of the event:

Arnold Consulting Engineering Services, Inc.
Atmos Energy
Gerald Printing
Ky Innovation & WKU Small Business Accelerator
Lee Company
PNC Bank
US Bank
Warren County Water District