Purpose Built for Industry Needs
Project activity taking place across the nation’s Tier 3 metros in 2024 proved to be neck-and-neck with many new metros entering the running, but for Bowling Green, Kentucky, it’s nothing new.
Over the course of the year, Bowling Green drew 24 projects to its region, securing our No.1 rank for the second consecutive year in this category of regions with under 200,000 residents. Corporate leaders find themselves committed to the community, as expansion investments made up the majority of project activity.
The Sioux City metro encompassing parts of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota followed suit with exactly half the number of projects, landing the No. 2 spot again in 2024. Burlington, North Carolina, was one project shy of Siouxland, rising five ranks from the previous year to No. 3, a positive indication of growth. In fourth place are Lima, Ohio, and Sherman-Denison, Texas, which both secured 10 projects.
“We were asked to double down on our Transpark with the belief from our Chamber of Commerce that if we did this, they would come. We stood united with our county government and our city government, mutually investing over $20 million each.”
— Todd Alcott, Mayor of Bowling Green, Kentucky
Kenosha, Wisconsin, entered the Top 10 in 2024, coming in at No. 6 with nine projects. From there it is a trove of ties. Southern Georgia’s Valdosta region rose one spot to No.7, sharing the rank with Rocky Mount, North Carolina, at eight projects each. Five metros — Ames, Iowa; Columbus, Indiana; Decatur, Alabama; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Paducah, Kentucky-Illinois — rounded out the Tier 3 rankings as they all secured seven projects in a tie for ninth place. It is important to note that Paducah left behind its micropolitan status as a new Tier 3 metro in 2024, according to Core-Based Statistical Area changes from the Office of Management and Budget.
Fruits of Our Labor
In January 2025, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce announced that in 2024 the city welcomed $65 million in new attraction projects and $261 million in expansion projects, resulting in a combined 642 jobs added in the region.
“This new facility signifies more than just an expansion; it reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.”
— Mark Loik, CEO, SCS-2 LLC
For Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott this recognition is almost 24 years of work coming to fruition. A focus on introducing state-of-the-art infrastructure like the 4,000-acre Kentucky Transpark has been key to attracting industries to Warren County. Years ago, the Transpark was initially viewed in a negative light by the community. Now it is considered the area’s crown jewel.
One of the projects that drove Burlington, North Carolina, from No. 8 last year to No. 3 this year is a $71 million investment from LabCorp.
Photo by hapabapa: Getty Images
“We were asked to double down on our Transpark with the belief from our Chamber of Commerce that if we did this, they would come,” Mayor Alcott says. “We stood united with our county government and our city government, mutually investing over $20 million each. Since that day, we’ve watched these jobs continue to transpire and come to fruition beyond our worst fears.”
The Kentucky Transpark was a hotspot for new activity in 2024, as Tyson Foods opened doors to its first Kentucky-based operations with a new $355 million, 400,000-sq.-ft. food production facility, in addition to a $63 million transfer and distribution center investment from a branch of Southern Coil Solutions (SCS) which is set to open in mid-2025.
“This new facility signifies more than just an expansion; it reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence,” said SCS-2 LLC CEO Mark Loik in a release. “By selecting Bowling Green for this project, we leverage not only its strategic location and infrastructure within the Kentucky Transpark but also contribute significantly to local economic growth and industry diversification.”
The largest project splash came from Clark Beverage Group and Clark Distributing Company (Clark Group), which announced a nearly $130 investment to expand and establish a new HQ in Bowling Green where its distribution operations first began in 1969.
“They’re investing in their own community in ways they never dreamed they could,” says Alcott. “That is the best American story there can be, when not only do you have a company that invests in your community, but a local company that reinvests and grows in your community.”
Project details include a new 300,000-sq.-ft. corporate office and distribution facility catering to growing demand for the company’s distribution of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. An official timeline of the project has not yet been disclosed, although it is reported that 20 new jobs will be created.
“Our future is unlimited. We can be a beacon of light to the nation on how to work together economically, on social issues, quality of life and how to collaborate on ideas that are successful beyond party and politics. I think Bowling Green is the epitome of that.”
— Todd Alcott, Mayor of Bowling Green, Kentucky
“We are thrilled to expand our operations with a new, state-of-the-art headquarters and distribution facility in Warren County,” said members of the Clark family. “This investment represents our commitment to both innovation and the communities we serve. Warren County’s strategic location, talented workforce and welcoming business environment made it the perfect choice for our continued growth. We look forward to building on our 120-year history and delivering the highest quality products and service to our customers across the region.”
Continued economic development growth within one of Kentucky’s fastest growing cities is working in what Alcott says is much like string theory. As new job opportunities draw in more talent it presents the metro with new ways to work together to boost its resources. Upgrades to Bowling Green’s roads, sewers, power, fiber internet and affordable housing, combined with new offerings such as parks and greenways, all join forces to provide the quality of life residents and companies desire in a community.
“Our future is unlimited,” says the mayor. “We can be a beacon of light to the nation on how to work together economically, on social issues, quality of life and how to collaborate on ideas that are successful beyond party and politics. I think Bowling Green is the epitome of that.”
Built to Make and Move
It’s no secret that the nation’s smallest communities are the backbone of manufacturing and distribution operations. Of the 127 qualifying projects among the top 10 metros, 92% of these investments were new or expanded manufacturing facilities and distribution warehouses. Notable projects within this realm show a mix of investment from the life sciences, energy and food and beverage industries.
Established in 1870, Fountain Square Park is located prominently in the heart of downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Photo: Getty Images
Eli Lilly and Company’s $3 billion, 750-job expansion in the Kenosha-area city of Bristol was the largest Tier 3 metro manufacturing project announced in 2024. The injectable medicines facility expansion project was the company’s largest U.S. investment outside of its Indiana home base.
“We look forward to bringing high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs to people in Wisconsin, a state that is becoming a critical geography in our global manufacturing operations,” said Lilly Manufacturing Operations President Edgardo Hernandez.
Rocky Mount drew the second largest project with a $1.4 billion sodium-ion battery gigafactory from Natron Energy. The company is the only U.S. commercial manufacturer of sodium-ion batteries for the EV, construction equipment and data center markets. The new facility, announced in August 2024, will be constructed at the 2,187-acre Kingsboro CSX Select Megasite in Edgecombe County and create 1,000 new jobs.
Bowling Green Snags Top Per Capita Rank
In addition to securing the No. 1 rank for total projects, Bowling Green cleans up with the No. 1 rank for projects per capita. Lima follows close behind despite pulling in 14 fewer projects. The massive jump that landed the metro at No. 2 is thanks in part to a $969 million manufacturing facility expansion from PCS Nitrogen and a $696 million oil refinery expansion by Cenovus.
Sioux City found itself behind No. 3 Columbus but finished ahead of Paducah within the top five. Sherman-Denison, Owensboro, Burlington, Ames and Rocky Mount — which all entered the Tier 3 top metros in 2024 — respectively round out the per-capita rankings.
“We look forward to bringing high-wage, advanced manufacturing, engineering and science jobs to people in Wisconsin, a state that is becoming a critical geography in our global manufacturing operations.”
— Edgardo Hernandez, Operations President, Lilly Manufacturing
