By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Kati Thompson has developed her mantra for bringing business to Bowling Green. It’s not exactly eloquent, but it is down to earth.
“Everything is figure-out-able,” Thompson said during the Bowling Green Economic Development annual meeting on Thursday.
For the past five years, Thompson, the executive director of BGED, has learned that many barriers can be broken down with creativity, discussion and sheer grit. She told of projects that appeared to be “dead in the water,” that were resurrected with innovative thinking.
“Let’s leave room to figure things out,” she said to a room of more than 200 people on Thursday. “Let’s give room for wild ideas.”
Thompson reported on successes in 2024, based on data from 30 companies, including:
- 19 companies reported making capital investments with a total amount of $64 million.
- 7 project wins.
- 3,487 people employed.
- 12 companies creating new jobs in 2025.
- 6 facility builds or expansions were completed for a total of 263,000 square feet with a total cost of $21 million.
The last three years has been focused on working with industries wanting to expand existing plants or build new locations in Bowling Green.
The focus now shifts to retention and planning for infrastructure improvements.
“We will be going deeper,” she said. “Deepening and strengthening partnerships.”
Thompson and the annual report focused on three companies making recent investments in Bowling Green.
NuProduce Solutions, located in the John Quinn Innovative Tech Park, at the northeast corner of Napoleon Road and Dunbridge Road, is a subsidiary of Gordon Food Service. The facility, a wholesale distributor of fresh whole and value-added produce, is the company’s first plant of this type in the U.S.
In September, NuProduce began repacking produce – cucumbers, peppers, squash, citrus and tomatoes.
This past January, the plant began peeling and dicing onions. During the first week, more than 30,000 pounds of onions were processed. Next on the list will be carrots and celery.
A-Gas, located on Haskins Road, is the world leader in supply lifecycle management of refrigerants. The company captures refrigerant gas for future re-use or safe destruction, preventing its harmful release into the atmosphere.
“The only place to have this technology is in Bowling Green,” Thompson said.
And Phoenix Technologies, with plants on East Poe Road and Fairview Avenue in Bowling Green, recently expanded its recycling manufacturing business. The company is one of the oldest PET plastics recyclers in the U.S.
Also at the annual meeting on Thursday, Thompson talked about the strategic goals for BG Economic Development, which include:
Infrastructure and utility development
- By optimizing planning, funding and partnerships for beneficial land development and expanding municipal utilities.
Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship
- By creating a community culture of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, making Bowling Green the Northwest Ohio hub for these activities.
Improve quality of life
- By collaborating and participating in community development efforts that enhance the quality of life in Bowling Green.
Sustained economic growth
- By attracting, retaining and facilitating the expansion of industrial, professional and commercial business.
BG Mayor Mike Aspacher commented on economic development efforts in the annual report. He addressed the need to balance the city of today with the growth of tomorrow.
“It’s important that we grow with intention, recognizing that our community must maintain its identity and support existing businesses, while also embracing opportunities to grow,” Aspacher said. “I believe both are possible.”
In addition to being competitive for businesses, the city continues to explore additional housing, while also reinvesting in existing neighborhoods, enhancing commercial corridors, while also supporting the historic downtown, and recognizing the importance of community health and education.
“We have worked earnestly to uphold the city’s civic responsibilities through infrastructure investments and other municipal services that enhance quality of life,” the mayor stated.
This past year, those efforts have included getting public input on the relocation of and possible construction of additional fire stations, and renovations of the police station, Aspacher noted.
And Thompson talked about the importance of teamwork in economic development. She cited support from every department at the City of Bowling Green, the JobsOhio/RGP Network, Bowling Green City Schools, Bowling Green State University, the Bowling Green industrial and business communities at large, Wood County Economic Development and Wood County Port Authority.
The annual report also noted projects and initiatives of last year:
- Planned the first Wood County Educators Bootcamp, providing local educators with graduate credit hours for experiential learning within area businesses.
- Planned and executed Manufacturing Day at Bowling Green Middle School, featuring 10 companies and serving more than 500 students.
- Assisted several local businesses with energy efficiency projects.
- Annexed and zoned approximately 170 acres for future industrial development east of Interstate 75.
- Participated in several long-term infrastructure planning initiatives for transportation and utilities.
- Hosted an economic development session and industry tours for the 2024 Leadership BG class.
- Developed an economic development partnership with Bowling Green State University.
- Hosted networking events, including a tour of Betco, a reception at the Bowling Green State University House, and several BGSU sporting events.
- Participated as a panelist at the Vorys Economic Development Conference.
- Grew Bowling Green Economic Development membership by adding 10 new members.
