Beech Tree News Network

Dollar General has chosen Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the site of a new cold storage and distribution center. The company is investing $26 million in the approximately 160,000 square foot facility. That is expected to create 65 new jobs when fully operational. 

“When Dollar General began looking for a site, we were prepared. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce had spearheaded the development of Build Ready sites, ensuring that product is ready and available before companies ever contact us. The availability of product combined with the Chamber’s assistance with permitting, incentives and managing development timelines allowed Bowling Green to rise above the sites in other states that were being considered. With the support of local elected officials, State, and Utility partners, we were able to move quickly and win the project in less than a month,” said Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ron Bunch. 

"I want to thank Dollar General for this latest investment in Kentucky and our people. Protecting our workers is a top priority for me and my administration as we work to recover from the widespread economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic," said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. "These new facilities will bring more than 365 jobs to Walton and Bowling Green, and the benefits will be much more widespread, boosting the entire region with revitalized business activity. Dollar General was founded here in the commonwealth, and we are proud to be a central player in the company's continued success."

“TVA and Warren RECC congratulate Dollar General on its decision to locate and create new job opportunities and investment in Bowling Green. Helping to foster new jobs and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVA’s core mission of service. We are proud to partner with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to further that mission,” said John Bradley TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development.

“We are excited to welcome Dollar General’s new cold storage and distribution facility to Warren County and we look forward to working with them,” said Dewayne McDonald President and CEO Warren RECC.

Dollar General is a major retail company with more than 16,500 stores in 46 states. In fact, approximately 75 percent of the American population is within five miles of a Dollar General store. Their robust supply chain network requires the ability to access stores on time and without unnecessary delays. A Bowling Green location makes that possible and fits within their existing operational structure.  

“Today’s announcement highlights our continued commitment to serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and we are excited to expand our operations, create new career opportunities and better serve our customers through these two new facilities,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “We are grateful for the continued partnerships with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and local leaders in each of these communities as we enhance our distribution network. We are equally thrilled to provide new career opportunities for Kentuckians looking to grow with us.” 

Dollar General also plans to be join the 100 trucking companies currently owned and operated within the region through its DG Private Fleet network. The Transportation, Distribution and Logistics sector currently employs 9,995 people within South Central Kentucky. “The Kentucky Transpark is centrally located making it great for meeting logistic needs in the U.S. Dollar General’s future in our community and their market growth in the U.S. is bright. We are proud that they have chosen Bowling Green to be home of their new cold storage and distribution facility,” said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson.

As generated by software from applied economics, Dollar General’s new cold storage and distribution center is expected to create a $70M economic impact over the next ten years. For example, their decision to open the new facility in Bowling Green is estimated to result in $777,000 spent in local retail establishments, $199,000 spent on utility bills, $166,000 spent on insurance, $149,000 spent on home furnishings and home repairs and $150K spent on purchasing vehicles annually. This far-reaching economic impact will be felt in businesses throughout Bowling Green, creating additional opportunities and generating 90 new jobs outside of the operation. 

“We are pleased that Dollar General has chosen to invest in Bowling Green and Warren County. Our low cost of doing business makes this region an ideal location for growing businesses, and our workforce is ready to support the growing transportation and distribution sector,” said Warren County Judge-Executive Michael Buchanon. 

 The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating this success and looking to the future. The community is heavily investing in new product development and infrastructure projects to ensure that sites are ready and available for any companies looking to benefit from South Central Kentucky’s location and low cost of doing business. Product development is an important component of the organization’s strategy and economic recovery plans, and it is working. 

Dollar General is just one of several companies that have recently announced new projects within Bowling Green. Year to date, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has closed 3 projects totaling $176.3M in capital investment and generating 206 new jobs for 2020. Bowling Green was recently recognized by Site Selection magazine as a top tier-2 metropolitan area in the United States and was ranked among the top 20 for 2018’s ‘Best Small Cities to Start a Business’ by Wallethub.com.