Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the fourth largest chamber in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, with more than 1,300 partners who represent more than 36,000 employees. We're also proud to be one of only three chambers in the Commonwealth to be accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce - a designation that only 335 other chambers in the nation can claim.

In December 2007, the Chamber Board of Directors formally approved the newly revised mission statement, further defining the Chamber's role in South Central Kentucky. The new mission of the Chamber is:

We provide valuable services to our partners, advocate a positive business environment and stimulate economic development for South Central Kentucky.

The Chamber has been recruiting businesses to the area since 1935 and will continue to make Bowling Green a hub of business in the global market. Strong evidence of this comes from the new multi-million dollar Chamber building, located at 710 College Street, which staff and partners are confident will make a lasting impression on industries that are considering a move to the region. The Chamber dedicated this new 17,460-square-foot, state-of-the-art headquarters on June 6, 2007, a celebration in which partners and the community participated. Nearly 200 Chamber partners committed to contributing more than $3 million to our Capital Campaign, allowing us to remain on-schedule to pay off the building in less than five years. Read more in the news release.

Partnership

"The word 'partner' encompasses the relationship of our lifelong Chamber supporters," says Vice President of Operations Tonya Matthews. "These individuals, businesses and organizations invest in their Chamber annually, contributing to the community's economic development efforts, business expansion opportunities and the citizens' overall quality of life. The supporters of the Chamber are more than registered members; they are active partners in the Chamber's accomplishments."
The Chamber experienced its largest net gain in history in 2007 - 9.9%, nearly five times higher than the national average of 2%. With 320 new partners recruited during the year, the Chamber doubled the annual recruitment rate it traditionally sees. As of December 31, 2007, 1,316 businesses and individuals were partners with the Chamber. Read more in the news release.

Chamber President and CEO James N. Hizer, CEcD, says, "Chambers that are similar in size to us often ask what we do to keep such good partnership numbers. We are fortunate to have a loyal base of Chamber partners who understand the importance of a vibrant Chamber and economic development effort."

Economic Development

The Chamber is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky and is dedicated to promoting the entire region, utilizing a regional economic development marketing plan to aid in the attraction of business and industry. Learn more about our economic development efforts by visiting www.southcentralky.com.

In 2007, the Chamber participated in 14 new and expanded industry announcements, creating nearly $77 million in economic investment and 1,602 new jobs. This achievement was honored by Site Selection magazine in March 2008, when the Bowling Green metropolitan area was ranked sixth in the nation for its number of industry location and expansion projects in 2007. Read more in the news release.

The President's Club was formed in 1998 to recognize those partners who generously contribute to the economic development efforts of the Chamber. Many of the President's Club partners were already paying at President's Club levels before the program was established. Most of these partners express that their sole reason for supporting the President's Club is their desire to encourage economic growth in South Central Kentucky. Learn more about the President's Club.