BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Five Republican state senators gathered in Bowling Green to discuss the city’s growth over the past year and what needs to be done to keep it going.

What You Need To Know

  • Five Republican state senators spoke in Bowling Green about the city's past and future growth

  • Sen. Mike Wilson of Bowling Green, said the city is the fastest growing community in the state

  • The senators highlighted improvements at WKU and tourism as signs of growth

State Senator Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, said Bowling Green is the fasting growing community in the commonwealth

Wilson said, “A lot of things are happening that do not happen unless it is thriving and growing. This community is thriving and growing.”

Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, said funds from the General Assembly have been used to improve the city.

Wise said, “You see the bronze horses, and you see ‘Home of Western Kentucky University.’ That is a great ability there to showcase that. When you got a lot of people stopping in at Buc-ee’s, there’s nothing better to see across the street than that beautification project.”

Western Kentucky University is also an important part of the Bowling Green community.

Millions of dollars in funding have gone to the university for a new academic complex and other projects.

Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, said, “WKU is such a vital part to this community, it’s such a vital part in shaping not just Warren County, but also South Central Kentucky.”

Wilson also discussed the $20 million approved to fund a mental health facility, Lifeskills Inc., which will provide services to those struggling with addiction.

Wilson said, “Groundbreaking is supposed to be taking place this month.”

Another highlight the senators discussed was the $20 million approved for the Barren River Area Development District, which will go toward the substance use disorder services pilot program.

Wise said, “We wanted to make sure, those re-entering the workforce, those that have a substance abuse problem, that we can get them on the right track, get them the help they need, but also get them to be productive citizens to go right, as an easy transition, right into the workforce.”

All of this happened after Bowling Green secured the number one spot in economic development for areas with a population of under 200,000 by the magazine Site Selection.

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