BOWLING GREEN, KY., December 8, 2025 – Building on the momentum of OgMentum ARK’s U.S. headquarters announcement earlier this year, a new international joint venture has chosen South Central Kentucky as its home. Netherlands-based United Fiber Sensing (UFS) and OgMentum ARK have officially launched UFS ARK, establishing research, development, and commercialization of breakthrough hydrogen detection technologies in Bowling Green.
By developing fiber-optic hydrogen sensing systems that enhance safety across pipelines, fueling infrastructure, and industrial facilities, UFS ARK will support the global clean energy transition while strengthening Bowling Green’s reputation as a rising technology hub. The investment further expands OgMentum ARK’s growing innovation ecosystem — adding new high-tech jobs and increasing local capacity for advanced research and manufacturing.
“Just months after opening our U.S. headquarters, we are thrilled to launch our first international joint venture here in Bowling Green,” said Jake Weise, President of OgMentum ARK. “This partnership with UFS demonstrates how quickly innovation can scale when it’s rooted in the right ecosystem. Bowling Green offers the talent, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership needed to accelerate technology that will shape the future of clean energy worldwide.”
Hydrogen has emerged as one of the world’s most powerful tools for decarbonization, capable of fueling transportation, storing renewable energy, and replacing fossil fuels in heavy industry. The global hydrogen market is projected to reach more than $300 billion by 2035, driven by rapid growth in production, infrastructure, and advanced applications. The arrival of UFS ARK marks a major milestone for South Central Kentucky’s trajectory from manufacturing powerhouse to diversified technology and research economy.
“UFS ARK’s decision to launch in Warren County reflects our region’s commitment to future-focused industries,” said Warren County Judge Executive Doug Gorman. “We are building an economy powered by innovation — companies that not only bring high-tech jobs but also advance the technologies shaping our world. This is the kind of investment that secures long-term opportunity for our residents and for Kentucky.”
“This is momentum in action,” said Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott. “From fiber optics to hydrogen detection, we are becoming a launchpad for breakthrough ideas. The City of Bowling Green is proud to support companies that push boundaries, invest locally, and drive global innovation.”
The venture will also deepen the region’s talent pipeline. A strategic partnership with Western Kentucky University will introduce specialized education, training, and applied research tied to hydrogen sensing and fiber optics.
“WKU is proud to help train the next generation of chemical and fiber-optic technologists right here in Bowling Green,” said Dr. Timothy C. Caboni, President of Western Kentucky University. “This partnership accelerates our mission of regional transformation — bringing together industry, students, faculty, staff and research to build an innovation economy that will serve Kentucky for decades.”
UFS ARK joins a growing list of advanced technology investments accelerating in Bowling Green.
“This joint venture is proof that our long-term strategy is working,” said Travis Keller, Chairman of the Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority. “We set out to attract high-value employers, strengthen our innovation economy, and create jobs of tthe future. Today’s announcement shows we’re delivering. Bowling Green is not just participating in the global energy transition — we’re helping lead it.”
About OgMentum ARK
OgMentum ARK is a next-generation technology company focused on advanced fiber optic manufacturing, distributed sensing, and communications systems. With headquarters and research operations in Bowling Green, Kentucky, OgMentum ARK is driving innovation across telecommunications, structural health monitoring, and national defense applications.
About UFS ARK
UFS ARK is a joint venture between United Fiber Sensing (The Netherlands) and OgMentum ARK (USA), advancing breakthrough fiber-optic sensing technologies for hydrogen safety and industrial monitoring. Its proprietary system, enables continuous, intrinsically safe detection for pipelines, fueling stations, and industrial facilities. UFS ARK’s U.S. operations are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, supporting research, manufacturing, and commercialization efforts in the global clean-energy sector.
About Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority, Inc.
Located at the center of a 34-state distribution area in the eastern United States, South Central Kentucky offers a strategic position for manufacturing, distribution, and emerging technology businesses. The region is within a day’s drive of 60% of the nation’s population, personal income, and manufacturing activity, making it a prime choice for companies seeking efficiency and reach. Bowling Green ranks second in the nation among top manufacturing cities, and the Bowling Green/Warren County region has secured over six billion dollars in capital investment over the past decade, resulting in more than twelve thousand new jobs. The area has also been recognized as a Top Tier 2 Metro by Site Selection Magazine for 13 consecutive years, including three #1 rankings (2018, 2023, 2024). Additionally, the Chamber has earned the Mac Conway Award as one of the Top 20 Economic Development Organizations in the United States for the fourth time in five years. To learn more, please visit https://www.southcentralky.com/.