The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce honored 29 businesses at its annual Targeted Business Awards on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Knicely Conference Center, with AKFA Aluminum Solutions named the John B. Holland Business of the Year, WBKO reported.
The Details
- Who and where: WBKO reported the awards, presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners, were held at the Knicely Conference Center, and that the 29 honorees were the largest class in the event's history.
- The totals: According to WBKO, the 24 projects recognized represent $178 million in capital investment and 740 new jobs across South Central Kentucky.
- The top award: WBKO reported the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Murphy Construction Group, went to AKFA.
- Other categories: Per WBKO, awards were given in eight categories, including Newcomer (Greenball Corporation and Lebanon Power & Apparatus), Green to Gold (Corvac Composites) and Emerging Technology Business (Hitcents and UnDesked).
- Expansions: WBKO listed Expansion honorees including Amcor, Delta Faucet Company, Hill's Pet Nutrition, International Paper, Tyson Foods and Worthington Steel, among others.
The Backstory
AKFA Aluminum Solutions is building its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Bowling Green. WBKO reported in May that the company plans to invest in a new facility in Warren County and create 331 jobs, and the Chamber has said the groundbreaking was held May 7. Trade coverage by alcircle put the plant's price at $80 million. Industry coverage described a facility combining extrusion, anodizing and finishing under one roof.
WBKO's awards report quoted Alisher Srajidinov, an AKFA management board member and chief operating officer: "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."
What It Means for Bowling Green
The totals are projects the Chamber chose to recognize, not a measure of the whole local economy. Still, they show where growth has been landing. Many of the Expansion honorees are existing employers in manufacturing, distribution and food production, so much of the activity is established plants adding capacity rather than only new names arriving.
For residents, the sources describe the jobs in aggregate. WBKO's report gave the 740 figure for new jobs but, in the material reviewed, did not break out wages, hiring timelines or how many positions are already filled. Readers looking for work should check each company's own postings. AKFA's plant is still under construction, so the jobs announced for it have not all been created yet.
Before You Go
- Details on the awards and local economic development are on the Chamber's site, bgchamber.com.
Sources
- WBKO: 29 businesses honored at Bowling Green Chamber's Targeted Business Awards — winners and totals
- WBKO: AKFA Aluminum Solutions will invest in new facility, create 331 jobs in Warren County — AKFA background
- Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce: AKFA groundbreaking — groundbreaking
- alcircle: AKFA Aluminum makes US manufacturing debut with $80M plant — plant cost