BOWLING GREEN, KY., October 1, 2026 – The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated 29 outstanding businesses on Thursday during its annual Targeted Business Awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, at the Knicely Conference Center. The luncheon’s top honor – the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Murphy Construction Group – was awarded to AKFA Aluminum Solutions.
Each October, the Chamber hosts this signature event in conjunction with Targeted Business and Industry Appreciation Month to recognize businesses that drive innovation, job creation, and community impact across the region. South Central Kentucky has experienced great success in 2026, and today the Bowling Green Area Chamber recognized 24 economic development projects that culminate in $178 million in capital investment and 740 new jobs. These 24 projects represent the largest collection of businesses ever recognized at the Targeted Business Awards.
Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel was on site for the celebration, commenting: “South Central Kentucky’s momentum is a direct result of true regional partnership and hard work. The dedicated efforts of the local team to strengthen foundational relationships have successfully rebuilt and accelerated a robust project pipeline. When communities collaborate across county lines to elevate their collective workforce and infrastructure, it not only drives local prosperity but creates a powerhouse economic engine for the entire state.”
“Businesses in South Central Kentucky are more than employers. They are an important part of the fabric of our communities,” said Roddy Grimes, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “The jobs they create provide opportunities for individuals and stability for families, while their investment, leadership, and commitment help strengthen the communities we all call home.”
Jim Page, President and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, added: “These awards give us an opportunity to recognize businesses that are making a meaningful difference in South Central Kentucky. Their success reflects the jobs they create, the people they invest in, and the communities they help strengthen. We’re proud to celebrate these businesses and the lasting impact they are making across our region.”
“We’re proud to receive the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award,” said Alisher Srajidinov, Management Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of AKFA Aluminum Group. “From day one, Bowling Green welcomed us and supported our vision for a new aluminum extrusion facility. We’re here to create good jobs, build lasting partnerships, and be part of this community for the long run. We’re grateful to everyone helping us make that vision a reality, and we’re excited about what we can build together.”
The Chamber presented awards in eight categories: the John B. Holland Business of the Year, Healthcare Enterprise, Newcomer, Innovation, Green to Gold, Emerging Technology Business, Expansion and Anniversary.
John B. Holland Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Murphy Construction Group:
2026 Recipient:
- AKFA Aluminum Solutions
Healthcare Enterprise Award – Sponsored by Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
For South Central Kentucky healthcare organizations that expanded operations in 2026, investing capital and creating new jobs for local residents.
2026 Recipients:
- Med Center Health
- TriStar Greenview Regional Health
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.
2026 Recipients:
- Greenball Corporation
- Lebanon Power & Apparatus, A Division of Air Hydro Power
Innovation Award – Sponsored by Stewart Richey Service Group
For businesses in South Central Kentucky that stand out as leaders in innovation, whether through their products or processes.
2026 Recipient:
- Crown Cork & Seal
Green to Gold Award – Sponsored by BGMU Fiber
For companies that best exemplify “green” leadership as it pertains to the region’s goals to become a leader in this emerging field.
2026 Recipient:
- Corvac Composites, LLC
Emerging Technology Business Award – Sponsored by Independence Bank
For companies that create, commercialize, and/or implement new innovative technology which will have national or international reach.
2026 Recipients:
- Hitcents
- UnDesked
Expansion Award – Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Authority
For businesses that have expanded in the past year, investing additional capital and creating more jobs for South Central Kentucky residents.
2026 Recipients:
- Amcor
- Carter Lumber
- Delta Faucet Company
- Dollar General Supply Chain – Bowling Green
- Equity Medical Excellence in Clinical Research
- Hill’s Pet Nutrition
- Inked Brands
- International Paper
- Kentucky Cold Storage
- Nova Steel
- Page Trucking
- Pan-Oston
- The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Southern Coil Solutions, LLC
- Stupp Bridge Company
- Trace Die Cast, Inc.
- Tyson Foods
- Worthington Steel
Anniversary Award
For businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries.
2026 Recipients:
- Celebrating 100 years, Med Center Health
- Celebrating 45 years, General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant
- Celebrating 40 years, Delta Faucet Company
- Celebrating 10 years, Constellium
Finally, the Chamber would like to extend a special thank you to our title sponsor, Pinnacle Financial Partners, and additional sponsors for making the 2026 Targeted Business Awards a success.
In addition to the award sponsors listed above, the following Chamber partners sponsored a portion of the event:
- Atmos Energy
- Gerald Printing
- Houchens Insurance Group
- Kiriu USA LLC
- TAZ Logistics
- Warren County Water District
Year to date, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has announced twenty-two economic development projects in South Central Kentucky, totaling $91.8 million in capital investment creating 396 new jobs in the region. Bowling Green was recognized three times by Site Selection Magazine as the #1 Tier 2 Metro in the United States. Winning back-to-back honors in 2023 and 2024, while previously being ranked #1 in 2018. This year’s recognition continues a tradition of excellence, as Bowling Green has been ranked in the Top 6 for 14 consecutive years. The Chamber was also awarded the Mac Conway Award for three consecutive years, spanning 2020-2023 and again in 2025 by Site Selection Magazine which recognized the Chamber of Commerce as a Top 20 Economic Development Organization in the United States.
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About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As the fourth largest Chamber in Kentucky, it is a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. It is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives, and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.
About South Central Kentucky Economic Development:
South Central Kentucky Economic Development is an entity of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, a nationally ranked 5-Star Accredited Chamber. Located at the center of a 34-state distribution area in the eastern United States, South Central Kentucky is a prime location for manufacturing, distribution, and emerging technology businesses, and is within a day’s drive of 60% of the nation's population, personal income, and manufacturing businesses. Bowling Green ranks second in the United States for best manufacturing city. The Bowling Green/Warren County region has captured over $5.6 billion in capital investment in the past decade, with those companies creating more than 10,500 new jobs. To learn more, please visit https://www.southcentralky.com/.