By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green’s Economic Development Director Kati Thompson put to rest some rumors Monday evening.
Yes, Abbott Labs is still planning to build in Bowling Green. And no, interest in the Woodland Mall hasn’t developed into anything concrete.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, Thompson explained that economic development can be tricky during a change in administrations. But this year is tougher than most, she added.
“This has been one of our more challenging years,” said.
While the city has seen an uptick in the number of leads of potential businesses eyeing Bowling Green, companies have been unusually slow in making decisions.
“We have several of those leads hanging out there,” Thompson said.
Several potential investors expressed interest in the mall at the north end of the city and in the downtown area, but no commitments were made. In both locations, deals involved multiple stakeholders and were very complicated, she said.
But Thompson reassured City Council of her determination.
“We’re not discouraged,” she said.
As for Abbott Labs, the company is continuing to work on the plant’s design and engineering. Earlier on Monday, Thompson said she talked with Abbott officials about utilities and infrastructure.
“Their commitment to this project has not changed,” she said.
But there is no new projected timeline. Abbott first announced its plans in 2022 to build in Bowling Green, creating 450 jobs and investing $536 million on the north edge of the city at Ohio 25 and Nims Road.
Abbott is a global company that designs and produces diagnostic and medical devices and powder nutritional supplements. The Bowling Green plant is expected to produce speciality and metabolic formulas, nutritional products for people with extreme allergies and dietary restrictions.
Originally, it was reported that ground would be broken in 2023, with construction expected to be completed in 2026, and production beginning in 2027.
Thompson presented other good news to City Council, including the continued interest in site development east of Interstate 75, between East Poe Road and Bowling Green Road East.
City leaders have continued efforts to sustain the businesses already here, with officials visiting companies to check on their wellbeing. That focus on retaining existing businesses has been appreciated by company officials over the years.
This year, Thompson said her office and the city administration is taking it a step further to evaluate the specific needs of each company, and create a three-year plan for each.
Business attraction efforts are netting some possibilities, with seven new projects and four potential expansions under consideration. One of those expansions is at Rosenboom, where new machinery may create 80 new jobs, Thompson said.
Inquiries have also been made by multiple retail and restaurant interests, she said. And SmartSolve was awarded a $1 million grant from JobsOhio for a research and development project on sustainable packaging technology.
