U.S. Bank Announces Plans to Bring More than 50 New Jobs to Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, KY – U.S. Bank plans to bring more than 50 new jobs to Bowling Green, starting in the first quarter of 2010 when U.S. Bank will renovate and expand its 3170 Louisville Road Mortgage Operations Center. It will bring the total number of U.S. Bank employees to more than 300 in the area, nearly 170 at the mortgage service center and 130 working at U.S. Bank’s 15 local branch offices.

"We're very pleased to partner with our colleagues at U.S. Bank Home Mortgage to expand an already significant employee base in the Bowling Green area," said Craig Browning, U.S. Bank regional president for South Central Kentucky. "This expanded U.S. Bank Service Center illustrates our growth and commitment to this area in the form of new jobs and a new future for this existing facility. Our region produces high quality and caring employees that we are most proud to be associated with in serving our customers. We wish to extend a special thanks to city, county and Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce officials for their interest and contributions during our evaluation process."

Dan Prather, senior vice president of U.S. Bank Home Mortgage added, “We selected Bowling Green to grow our mortgage loan, servicing and production call center because we were excited and impressed with the labor quality in this community, and we expect to draw top rate job applicants from the community, including graduates of Western Kentucky University.”

Prather said that interested persons can apply online at usbank.com/careers.

“We congratulate U.S. Bank on the expansion of their existing mortgage call center here in Bowling Green,” said City of Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker. “We’re proud they saw our city as the best location for this expansion, and we thank them for their continued support of our community.”

“This is an exciting day for Bowling Green,” said Todd Davis, 2009 Board of Directors Chairman of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “U.S. Bank has made a commitment to this community through its work in bringing more high quality, good paying jobs with benefits. They chose to expand here because of our pro-business policies and highly skilled workforce. These are the assets we will continue to promote as we find responsible solutions to our current economic challenges.”

U.S. Bank also recently expanded its Owensboro mortgage service center, just 70 miles north, to accommodate up to 1,000 employees.

Around the Home – 10 No-Cost Tips for Saving Energy

Looking for fast, free ways to save on energy around the home this winter? According to Tom Kraeutler, host of the nationally-syndicated home improvement radio show, The Money Pit, there are many common-sense things you can do everyday in your home to lower energy bills.

Tip #1 – Lock your windows. Don’t just close them, but lock them to create an airtight seal that keeps out air leaks and drafts.

Tip #2 – Plug power-draining computers and electronic equipment into a power strip with a switch, so they can all be easily turned off when not in use.

Tip #3 – Turn off lights when leaving a room.

Tip #4 – Get free solar heat by opening the blinds and shades during the day.

Tip #5 – Chill out and do your laundry in cold water.

Tip #6 – Add a sweater and lower the thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you may be able to save 5% on heating costs.

Tip #7 – Run only full loads in your dishwasher.

Tip #8 – Remove lint often from your clothes dryer and its outside vent. And, run your dryer in the evening, when the extra heat helps warm your house.

Tip #9 – Close the doors (and the heating vents) in rooms with minimal use, like walk-in closets, laundry rooms and guest bedrooms, to reduce heat use in those areas.

Tip #10 – Snuggle up under more blankets at night and turn your heat down lower to reduce energy costs.

“Small things can add up to big energy savings in the home,” says Kraeutler. “You’ll be surprised to find your energy bills dropping by 20, 30 or more dollars each month when you consistently make the effort.”

Bowling Green is a Best Place to Launch a Small Business

BOWLING GREEN, KY-Once again Bowling Green has been recognized for its positive environment for small business. CNNMoney.com recently released its "Best Places to Launch" list--ranking the best large, middle and small population metropolitan areas for small business start-ups.


Bowling Green ranked 12th in the small cities list (populations under 250,000), placing it in the ranks with cities such as Sioux Falls, S.D.; Dubuque, Iowa; and Abilene, Texas. No other Kentucky city was ranked in Bowling Green's small cities category.


CNNMoney notes, "While some entrepreneurs prefer to locate near major cities, others opt for the intellectual spark and intimacy of college towns and other small, close-knit communities. One size doesn't fit all, so our list is divided into three tiers: small, midsize and large metro areas."


The full rankings can be found online at http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/full_list/top_small.html


CNNMoney ranked the cities based on factors such as per capita income, hourly wages, workforce quality, crime rates, taxes and foreclosures, as well as population size. Partnering with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and enlisting the help of Robert Fairlie, an economist and leading scholar of entrepreneurship at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CNNMoney developed the list of the most business-friendly communities in America.


"Once again Bowling Green is receiving national attention for its ideal business climate," said Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker. "Small businesses thrive here, especially because of our strong network of business leaders through the Chamber and other organizations, and we're thrilled to see our name on another prestigious list."


Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon agreed with Mayor Walker, "The entrepreneurial spirit thrives in Bowling Green and the entire South Central Kentucky region, so it's no surprise that we're being recognized for our small business environment."


According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2007 County Business Patterns, there are 2,704 small businesses with one to 49 employees in the Bowling Green metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The city's small business growth rate from 2004 to 2007 was 4.2% compared to the Best Places' average of 5.6%.


CNNMoney links Bowling Green's appeal to the downtown redevelopment project with the newly built Bowling Green Ballpark, Circus Square and the planned performing arts center. Other attractions include Fruit of the Loom and the Corvette plant as two of the MSA's largest and most well-known employers, as well as the city's ideal location off of Interstate 65. The article also listed the city's shift toward high-paying technology jobs, recognizing the state-of-the-art Kentucky Transpark and Western Kentucky University's small business and high-tech business incubators within the University's Center for Research and Development.


"Small businesses are an integral part of our community," said Todd Davis, 2009 Chamber Board of Directors chairman. "At the Chamber, we're proud to recognize small businesses through Small Business Appreciation Week, our CEO Roundtables and the Strategic Business Alliance. We work closely with WKU, as well as other organizations and educational institutions, to assist with resources for current and future small business owners."

Governor Beshear Announces Start Up of Kentucky Copper in Morgantown

India-based Copper Company to Create 106 New Jobs, Invest Nearly $32 Million


FRANKFORT, KY- Gov. Steve Beshear and Cabinet for Economic Development representatives today joined community and company officials in Butler County to announce that India-based Chandra Proteco Ltd. will start up a manufacturing operation in Morgantown under the name Kentucky Copper Inc. The new company will create 106 new jobs and invest nearly $32 million in the Commonwealth.

"The start-up of Kentucky Copper in Morgantown will create more than 100 direct jobs and a tremendous economic boost for not only Butler County, but for all of south central Kentucky," said Gov. Beshear. "Kentucky is proud to partner with Chandra Proteco on this new investment and will continue to work with the company to establish and grow its operations in the Commonwealth."

Chandra Group has been in the field of copper and copper cable business for more than 40 years and specializes in transposed cable and railway cables for traction. With more than 500 employees in India, the company's facilities are spread over India, Europe, Africa and China.

"We are delighted to bring the extensive experience of our parent company, Chandra Copper, to Kentucky along with a commitment to be an active part of the community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky," said Mukul Gupta, president of Kentucky Copper.

Kentucky Copper will be located in a 163,000 square-foot facility on Veterans Way and will include warehousing, manufacturing and office space, as well as a technology center. The company will manufacture products to be used in power transformers, energy transmission and distribution applications, as well as high-speed trains. Three product lines will be phased in and will produce magnet wires, profile and trolley wires and continuously transposed conductors.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Chandra Protecto Ltd. for tax benefits up to $6 million under the former Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act.

"We wish Kentucky Copper much success as they open their facility here in Butler County," said Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields. "The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce introduced this company to our community through our involvement in the South Central Kentucky partnership, and we appreciate their work on this project as Kentucky Copper is a welcome addition to Butler County, particularly because of the 106 new jobs it will create."

"We're grateful for Kentucky Copper's investment of nearly $32 million in our community, and we look forward to working with Kentucky Copper in the future. We wish them as much prosperity as possible as we welcome them into our community," said Morgantown Mayor Eva Hawes. "We also thank the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce's work in bringing this project to our community."

This announcement is one of only three announcements made in the Commonwealth in which a new industry has announced more than 100 new jobs this year.

Morgantown and Butler County are members of the South Central Kentucky Economic Development Partnership and its international-award-winning Menu of Services Program, designed and led by the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. Through this partnership, the Chamber worked with the state to assist in locating Kentucky Copper in Morgantown, providing the services of tenured economic development professionals.

Todd Davis, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, said, "We are proud to have introduced Kentucky Copper to South Central Kentucky. We draw no distinction between county lines in our South Central Kentucky partnership, enabling us to ensure that a client's needs are met. A new industry location in one county is a success for all counties involved."

Davis continued, "Morgantown, Butler County, South Central Kentucky and the Commonwealth are all winners because Kentucky Copper chose to locate in our region."

BGHS Among Top High Schools Nationwide

Bowling Green High School Receives Third Medal from US News and World Report

For the third consecutive year, Bowling Green High School is at the top of the class among high schools nationwide. Today, US News and World Report released their annual list of America’s Best High Schools. The top 100 high schools in the nation were awarded gold medals, the next 561 silver, and an additional 1,750 bronze. BGHS is one of only 8 high schools in Kentucky to earn a Silver Medal. There were no gold medals awarded in the Commonwealth.

Principal Gary Fields attributes Bowling Green High School’s most recent recognition to the work of everyone in the Bowling Green City Schools Purple family. He says, “I hope everyone takes personal pride in making this honor possible for our school. Our work from preschool to high school, and the support of our alumni and community, has led our students to achieve great things.” He also adds, “It is a great day to be a PURPLE.”

US News and World Report used a three-step formula to calculate the list of top schools. First, they measured how students performed on state tests, adjusting for student circumstances. Next, they evaluated the performance of each school's disadvantaged students. Finally, they looked at the school’s success in providing college-level coursework such as Advanced Placement courses.

BGHS has approximately 1,075 students enrolled in grades 9-12. Of the student population, 34% are minority students, and 44% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Kentucky Core Content Test results from 2009 confirm Bowling Green High School is performing above the state average in all content areas.



Currently, Bowling Green High School offers 17 Advanced Placement Courses, which are open to all students. In the spring of 2009, 26% of BGHS students completed at least one Advanced Placement exam. Results from the College Board Exams show 62% of those students earned college credit.



US News and World Report will publish the America’s Best High School rankings in the January 2010 issue. Printed copies will be available to subscribers and on newsstands on or around December 17.



For more information, visit:

http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/kentucky/bowling_green_high_school