August 2025
From major employer expansions to new housing and infrastructure projects, Bowling Green is building big momentum and attracting investment across South-Central Kentucky.
Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems to expand facility
What This Means For You: Sumitomo is investing $17 million to expand its Bowling Green facility to make electric wiring harnesses for the automotive industry, bringing 76 new full-time jobs. This boosts the industrial employment base and could drive demand for nearby developer-ready sites.
ValorFlex adds corporate HQ after manufacturing investment
What This Means For You: Following its $23.4 million manufacturing facility (82 jobs), ValorFlex announced it will establish its corporate headquarters in Bowling Green with an additional $6.4 million investment and 25 high-paying jobs. This dual expansion elevates both white and blue-collar economic potential in the area.
Mixed-Use Development & Road Expansion at Nashville Road
What This Means For You: A massive 26‑acre mixed-use development is slated to break ground shortly on Nashville Road, featuring 41,000 sq ft of retail and dining and over 100 Class‑A residential units. The City also approved $7 million to extend Bluegrass Farms Boulevard—enhancing access, drainage, and pedestrian infrastructure.
Local tech startups receive innovation grants
What This Means For You: Two Bowling Green startups, BumptUp Labs Inc. and Caza Innovations LLC, won state SBIR/STTR matching grants, promoting tech sector growth with high-wage job potential in health tech and optical communications.
South-Central KY is fastest-growing economy in U.S. with Populations under 200,000
What This Means For You: Bowling Green’s market is igniting due to upgrades in roads, sewers, power, fiber, plus affordable housing, parks, and greenways—all boosting quality of life, talent attraction, and investor confidence.
Cherry Hall renovation at Western Kentucky University begins
What This Means For You: WKU is launching a major renovation of Cherry Hall, its most iconic academic building, to modernize classrooms, improve accessibility, and introduce collaborative, sensory-friendly spaces. This campus enhancement (expected completion by 2027) strengthens WKU’s appeal and underscores growth in education-driven demand.
Kentucky named among top five most affordable states for startups
What This Means For You: A 2025 Vellis Financial study ranks Kentucky #4 nationwide for startup affordability, thanks to competitive wages, low commercial rents, favorable tax rates, and modest registration costs, making it an attractive destination for business owners and investors looking to launch or expand.
