BOWLING GREEN, KY-The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has been recognized once again for its outstanding achievements, receiving two awards recently for its new building at 710 College Street and for the grand opening of that building.

At the October City Commissioners meeting, Operation P.R.I.D.E. recognized the Chamber for its new headquarters and the impact it makes on downtown Bowling Green. Operation P.R.I.D.E. presents awards to residential and non-residential property owners who have made improvements to their property.

"We're a non-profit organization dedicated to instilling a sense of responsibility for our community's appearance in every citizen," said Karen Hume, Operation P.R.I.D.E. Executive Director. "The new Chamber building is a stand-out property in Bowling Green, and we're proud to recognize the Chamber for its achievement."

"It was the plan of the Chamber's Board of Directors to build the new Chamber Headquarters in the downtown area and to make the first investment in the Circus Square District. The Chamber partnership supported the project, contributing nearly $3 million in the capital campaign, twice what we had anticipated," said James N. Hizer, CEcD. "The award belongs to our Chamber partnership and our volunteer leadership. This is just a beginning for recognition opportunities for economic development and revitalization in our downtown."

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) presented the Chamber with an Excellence Award at the KCCE Annual Banquet on October 25. This Excellence Award recognized the Chamber's grand opening celebration of its new headquarters as a "Best Special Event." At the grand opening, the Chamber hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house to highlight its new multi-million dollar building at the corner of 7th and College Streets.

Aaron Cox, KCCE Executive Director, said, "The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce staff and partners do an outstanding job at all of their events, but the grand opening of their new building was really an exciting event. KCCE believes the Chamber deserves recognition for their achievement, so we're proud to have presented them this award."

"This is the second year in a row that KCCE has recognized the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce for 'Best Special Event,'" said Tonya Matthews, IOM, Vice President of Chamber Operations. "We're so pleased to have won this award and to forever have this title tied to the grand opening of our new building."

Mary Cohron, Chamber Board of Directors Chairperson, agreed, "We have so many people to thank for our building: Rick Kelley, Doug Gorman and the Building Committee, who oversaw the land acquisition and the design and construction of the building; Mike Murphy, Charlie Moore, who did an amazing job at leading the Chamber through its capital campaign; and all of our partners who've invested in our mission and supported our efforts. They all recognized the Chamber's vision and made it a reality. Receiving these awards is a great capstone to a wonderful journey and both awards are true testaments to the great work all have accomplished."