Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to look at the first edition of the SOKY Economic Development and Business News.

The idea of the report wasn’t mine, but I liked it. In early December, my friend, former legislative colleague, and current lobbyist Richie Sanders and I were having lunch at Cambridge Market in Bowling Green, KY. Richie said in his best Edmonson County voice, “you should put a report together about economic development news and other activities in a newsletter.” I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist of it, and I liked the idea. So, here we are.

The plan is to compile reports from various sources pertaining to economic development news and other items of interest from South-Central Kentucky. In this section you may even get some random thoughts from me and others. Feel free to share this with your colleagues, friends, people you don’t like, etc.

Finally, shoot me an email with your thoughts, criticisms and other suggestions. Your feedback will be used to improve and progress and email is below.

Jim D.

jim@thedecesaregroup.com

BG Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates another year at 88th Annual Celebration

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce held its 88th Annual Celebration recently.



Local business leaders, elected officials, regional partners, economic development investors, and special guests gathered for a reception and program at Sloan Convention Center.

-WBKO TV

 Unemployment rates fell in 94 counties between December 2021 and December 2022, rose in 12, and stayed the same in 14 counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.

-Lane Report

Union membership in the United States fell last year to a new low even as the labor movement scored a string of significant victories at high-profile companies that have long evaded unionization, such as Amazon, Starbucks, Apple, Chipotle and Trader Joe’s.



-Washington Post

The electric vehicle footprint is growing in Kentucky with the announcement of a new manufacturer in Simpson County.

Liochem e-Materials announced plans on Thursday to create 141 jobs related to the production of battery materials for the EV industry.

-WKU Public Radio

Boom, Pushback, Slowdown: A Warehouse Nation

As the United States emerged from the Great Recession of 2008-2009, there was this collision of forces: cheap real estate and the rise of e-commerce. The result was a warehousing boom that continues to change this country's industrial landscape.

-The Rising Tide