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Targeted Business Awards Celebrates Businesses and Growth in South Central Kentucky
Monday, November 7, 2022


The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce honored 16 businesses with awards at the annual Targeted Business Awards sponsored by PNC Bank. Envision AESC received the highest honor of the evening, the John B. Holland Business of the Year Award. The event was held at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC).

This exclusive event is held every October in conjunction with Targeted Business and Industry Appreciation Month to recognize and celebrate targeted businesses and industries throughout South Central Kentucky for their accomplishments and the impact they have in the community. South Central Kentucky has experienced great success so far in 2022, announcing $2.33 billion in capital investment and 2,714 new jobs year-to-date.

“Every year the Chamber has the privilege of honoring the many contributions targeted businesses bring to South Central Kentucky," said John Dix, 2022 Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Chairman. “These companies employ thousands of people and invest millions of dollars in our region. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the overall impact these businesses bring to help make South Central Kentucky the very best place to live and work in the Commonwealth."

“Existing targeted businesses are what fuel the continued growth of our region’s economy,” said Ron Bunch, President & CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is a blessing to be able to support them every day, and it is only fitting that we honor them through this event for the impact they’ve had through capital investment, job creation, and community engagement right here in South Central Kentucky.”

The John B. Holland Business of the Year Award, named to honor Mr. Holland and his dedication to business success in the community, was awarded to Envision AESC. In April Envision AESC, a world-leading Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company, announced its $2 billion investment to build a new, approximately 3 million square foot, state-of-the-art gigafactory in the Kentucky Transpark in Bowling Green, Warren County. The 30GWh plant will create 2,000 new, skilled jobs for the region, producing battery cells and modules to power the next generation of EVs produced for multiple global automotive manufacturers. This project is not only the second-largest investment ever in Kentucky but also the largest in history for South Central Kentucky.

The John B. Holland Business of the Year Award was sponsored by President’s Club Bronze Star Partner The Murphy Construction Group which includes Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLC, Scott & Murphy, Inc., and Hartz Contracting.

The Chamber presented awards to targeted businesses in five other categories: Healthcare Enterprise, Newcomer, Business Expansion, Business Innovation, and Green to Gold. Holley Performance Products was also honored at the event for celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Healthcare Enterprise Award - Sponsored by Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

For South Central Kentucky healthcare organizations that expanded operations in 2022, investing capital and creating new jobs for local residents. 2022 Recipients:
• Graves Gilbert Clinic • Med Center Health • TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital

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. 2022 Recipients: 
• Element Materials Technology Group • Envision AESC • O-I Glass • Tyson Foods

Business Expansion Award - Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Authority

For South Central Kentucky businesses that expanded operations in 2022, investing capital and creating jobs for local residents. 2022 Recipients: 
• Android Industries, LLC • Bluegrass Supply Chain Services • General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant • Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. • Multi-Color Corporation  • Owl’s Head Alloys, Inc.

Business Innovation Award - Sponsored by Stewart-Richey Construction, Inc.

For South Central Kentucky companies that – through product or process – best exemplify innovative leadership. 2022 Recipients: 
• Bluegrass Supply Chain Services & O-I Glass

Green to Gold Award - Sponsored by Bowling Green Municipal Utilities

For companies that best exemplify “green” leadership as it pertains to the region’s goals to become a leader in this emerging field. 2022 Recipient: 
• Kobe Aluminum Products & Extrusions, Inc.
 
Finally, the Chamber would like to extend a special thank you to our title sponsor, PNC Bank, and additional sponsors for making the 2022 Targeted Business Awards a success. In addition to the award sponsors listed above, the following Chamber partners sponsored a portion of the event:
• Arnold Consulting Engineering Services, Inc.
• Atmos Energy 
• Gerald Printing
• Industrial Controls Automation
• Neal Turner Realty
• US Bank
• Warren County Water District

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