Kentucky economic growth impacts businesses in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The state of Kentucky has hit all time high records of an economic boom due to tourism.

Ann Scott, the owner of The 30 Bird, says her business has been impacted.

“I definitely noticed an increase in business just over the past like five years, but in particular, in the last maybe year. We go through a lot more food, like we prepare a lot more food. We sell a lot more food,” said Scott.

Gov. Andy Beshear’ s office released a statement Wednesday saying that 2025 was the best year for economic growth in the state. 

“Another historic record-breaking year for tourism is more proof that we’re reigniting the American dream in Kentucky by creating jobs, driving investment and fueling economic growth across the commonwealth,” said Beshear.

According to tourism economics, the food and beverages average spent by tourists was 2.7$ billion.

Scott said over each year, she noticed more and more visitors from out-of-town brunching at The 30 Bird location on U.S 31 W Bypass. She then opened new doors to another location in downtown Bowling Green.

“Originally, we were just at this location at the bypass. We were doing all the cooking, all the baking. We had started baking items, gluten-free items, at that point. and we just got so busy that there was no way we could still continue cooking at that pace and baking here, so we basically had to get another location for it and move our baking operation,” she said.

Scott said even after getting another location, she had to expand the original one in the last year due to a mass flow of new visitors and originals. 

“We’ve noticed a lot of influx of business from people from out of town and people visiting bowling green,” she said.

She said this growth is good for business and gives travelers a taste of Bowling Green and Kentucky.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Scott said.