Chamber seeks contract renewal as city touts downtown events and economic wins

Mary Hinkleman, executive director of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and Visit BG Ohio, asked the council to review a document on Visit BG’s accomplishments as part of consideration of legislation authorizing the municipal administrator to renew a contract with the Chamber to direct the city’s destination marketing program. Hinkleman said the partnership is in its fifth year and highlighted the holiday parade (broadcast live) and Giving Tuesday promotions to benefit local nonprofits.

Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said staff is comfortable continuing the current contract structure and noted the hotel-motel tax has supported the arrangement. Tretter also introduced staff updates and asked council to consider an executive session later in the meeting on public-employee compensation (no action recommended following the executive session).

Economic Development Director Katie Thompson described a challenging year for business attraction during a political transition but listed recent successes: the city assisted SmartSolve with a project that secured a $1,000,000 JobsOhio grant for a research-and-development center; the city is tracking seven new industrial projects and four potential expansions (including a local Rosenboom expansion that plans to hire about 80 people); and she reported continuing engagement with Abbott Labs, which has not changed its commitment but has not provided an updated construction timeline.

Martha (municipal staff) reported on a food-distribution resolution adopted previously: applications were solicited and all applicants will be fully funded for their requested amounts; applications were due Sept. 16 and were handled online.

Council took no final action on the Chamber contract at this meeting beyond introducing the ordinance for first reading and noting staff’s recommendation to continue the existing structure.