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Brand Unveiled for South Central Kentucky Regional Economic Development NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: James N. Hizer, CEcD Chamber President & CEO 270-781-3200 jhizer@bgchamber.com BOWLING GREEN, KY - Regional economic development efforts were strengthened today with the announcement of a new brand aimed at marketing the entire South Central Kentucky region to prospective business and industry. The new brand--"South Central Kentucky: Central for business. Southern for living."--emphasizes the region's optimal location and first-rate quality of life. Jim Hizer, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce president & CEO, recognized the need for such an endeavor soon after his arrival in Bowling Green last year. "As I began to look beyond Bowling Green and Warren County, I saw excellent neighboring towns and communities full of potential," Hizer stated. "It seemed like a natural solution for us to work toget her as a region. When any one of us experiences economic development success, the entire region is strengthened." The Liberty Group was selected as the lead agency for developing the South Central Kentucky brand. "Creating a brand for a geographic region is much different, and potentially more challenging, than creating a brand for a business, but after our initial research it became very clear what the brand would become." said Tim Earnhart, president & CEO of The Liberty Group, a marketing communications company. Interviews were conducted with a cross section of companies that have expanded, relocated, or started up their business in the South Central Kentucky region in the last few years. From those interviews, several recurring themes surfaced in regard to the region's location and quality of life. "In looking at what makes South Central Kentucky unique for business, we realized the region's name pretty much sums it up," explained Earnh art. "The region is located in the middle of the U.S. industrial market and at the heart of its population with a tremendous network of interstates and parkways. And finally, the southern style living and southern hospitality you'll find in the region is both practiced and genuine by all who call South Central Kentucky home." The counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Warren will all have the option to utilize the brand and logo to benefit their respective economic development efforts. "The establishment of this brand fortifies the relationship that we all share as individual counties," stated Edmonson County Judge Executive N.E. Reed. "It is now the responsibility of each county to embrace ownership of the brand. The more often we use it, the stronger it will become." "This is definitely an exciting day for economic development," Hizer added. "I, along with our partnering judge executives and economic development professionals, look forward to growing the South Central Kentucky region and furthering its establishment as a premier location for business and industry." The South Central Kentucky brand will serve as a launching pad for positive messages about the region. It will serve as the connective element of the Chamber's print and electronic media promoting South Central Kentucky. Local and neighboring organizations also wishing to utilize the brand for the promotion of South Central Kentucky are encouraged to contact the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. ### Related Link: http://www.bgchamber.com

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