By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green officials took the next step Monday evening to bring more jobs to the city and possibly secure a $1 million infrastructure grant from the state.
On Monday evening, the Board of Public Utilities endorsed the same process that brought in a state grant for infrastructure last year. This project would also involve development of a site in the Wood Bridge Business Park on the east side of Bowling Green, at the southeast corner of Dunbridge Road and East Poe Road.
“This is one of our most successful business parks,” BG Utilities Director Brian O’Connell said to the board.
In the 2023 project, BG Economic Development Director Kati Thompson and Ohio Logistics secured $1.6 million from the state to help the city with infrastructure costs. The state funds are only available if there is a building to be constructed on the site, with the potential of adding jobs.
“This process for expanding the business park has been very successful in securing other funding sources for infrastructure needs as well as partnering with a private developer to assume the responsibility for the land acquisition and building development,” O’Connell said.
Wood Bridge Business Park has experienced continued growth over the last several years, O’Connell said.
Some recent developments include:
- In 2017, the extension of Woodstream Drive to the east for a warehouse project by Ohio Logistics.
- In 2020, Ohio Logistics constructed a second building on Woodstream Drive for a new industrial customer.
- In 2023, Woodgate Drive was extended to the south and a 100,000-square-foot building was put up by Clouse Construction. The building has been leased by an industrial customer, prior to the construction being finished. The project is expected to bring 120 new jobs to the city.
“We have another opportunity to follow a similar development process,” O’Connell said about the next possible project.
In 2019, the city acquired 40.6 acres in order to expand Wood Bridge Business Park to the east. The city purchased the property for $1 million, or $24,636 an acre. According to O’Connell, Thompson has negotiated a purchase agreement with Ohio Logistics for the parcel at $35,000 an acre. Ohio Logistics reportedly plans to construct a 100,000-square-foot spec building on the property, which will help the city apply for a $1 million infrastructure grant from the state.
Engineering for the project could begin in 2024, with construction planned for 2025.
The road and utility extension will be the responsibility of the city, with a cost estimate around $2.3 million. While Woodstream Drive would be extended east for this project, O’Connell said a roundabout or cul-de-sac might be constructed at the far east end, rather than connecting with Carter Road, which is a smaller road possibly not capable of handling the additional traffic.
