The Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority (WCDEDA) announced today at a news conference that it has selected “City Center” as the naming convention that it will use to market and promote downtown Bowling Green, Ky. The convention includes a name, logo and tagline that will be used by the WCDEDA, as well as other entities, when referring to the downtown area. The announcement follows several months of research, one-on-one meetings, focus groups and a public survey to gather as much input as possible to determine a name that captures the all-encompassing experience of Bowling Green’s downtown.

According to Doug Gorman, chairman of the WCDEDA, “Residents were interested in a name that expressed the many unique attributes of our downtown core. They wanted a name that captured the excitement of the existing and developing dining, shopping, entertainment, living and working opportunities that make up our City Center.”

In the focus groups, many residents used the word ‘unique’ to describe the downtown area. They felt as though the array of activities and opportunities in downtown Bowling Green make it unique as a hometown, family-friendly, central gathering hub.  Thus, the WCDEDA decided that a tagline with this notion would be appropriate and have incorporated “Uniquely BG” into the logo. The WCDEDA will also use this concept in ongoing marketing and promotional efforts.

The WCDEDA also announced today a new website, www.gotoubg.com, and several social media contact points where individuals and organizations can connect with City Center in the online environment. The website currently has a landing page and is under further development. City Center’s current social media contacts are:

• Twitter: @BGCityCenter – www.twittercom/bgcitycenter
• Facebook: Bowling Green City Center – http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bowling-Green-City-Center/
• Flickr: bgcitycenterky – http://www.flickr.com/photos/64276155@N03/

The WCDEDA announced in November, 2010 that it had hired the pepper group, ltd., a branding firm out of Louisville, Ky., to market and promote what has been known as the TIF district, but also includes areas outside of the specified boundaries for this district. “We wanted to be as inclusive as possible when defining City Center, so we selected a name that can work as our City Center grows and develops,” said Gorman.

Gorman also stressed the need to appeal to developers and those interested in bringing business and residential opportunities downtown. “In order for our core to grow, we have to continue to position our downtown as a viable investment to potential developers,” said Gorman. “The new name, logo and interest in your downtown will allow us to better market and promote to developers the opportunities that exist in Bowling Green.”

About WCDEDA: Also known as The Authority, the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority Inc. (WCDEDA), is a non-profit corporation organized by Warren County, Ky. It is a “Chapter 58” corporation because it was organized under Chapter 58 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes.  The Authority is charged with overall administration of the TIF District.