Thursday, January 17, 2013

Bowling Green, KY Chamber of Commerce Purchases Press Kit No. 1 for C7 Corvette

The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce now owns the first-issued press kit for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, which was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show on January 14. The press kit is a coveted memorabilia item for Corvette enthusiasts. General Motors produced just 2,014 copies, which were distributed only to media and invited guests at the auto show.

“The Corvette is part of our DNA in Bowling Green,” said Ron Bunch, CEcD, Chamber president and CEO. “We’re excited to be internationally known for this icon of the automotive world and to be owners of the first press kit. It’s a great testament to our business climate as GM brings millions of dollars in investment and hundreds of new jobs to South Central Kentucky, and I’m confident that this momentum will continue to grow in 2013.”

Housing the No. 1 Corvette Stingray press kit at the Chamber is not just for a display. It serves as a reminder of the significant impact that the Corvette makes in South Central Kentucky.

Having manufactured the Corvette in Bowling Green since 1981, General Motors announced in 2011 that it would enhance its Bowling Green facility for the production of the next generation Corvette, the Stingray. In the announcement, the company stated that the project would bring an investment of more than $131 million and plans to hire 250 new employees. Company leaders attribute this significant investment and job creation to the positive, business-friendly environment in Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky.

“I’m proud to tell anyone across the globe that Bowling Green and South Central Kentucky are a terrific place to do business,” said Dave Tatman, plant manager at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. “I’ve worked for GM in several other states and countries, and this is the best place to do business in my experience because the entire region supports the growth of this economy.”
 
“It is an understatement to say that the Corvette plant is an asset to South Central Kentucky,” said Bunch. “As we market the region, we’re able to tout the success and tenure that the plant has had in this region. Alongside the abundance of automotive suppliers in the region, this is proof that we are an excellent location for the automotive market.”

He continued, “As the buzz grows for the new Corvette, more people are taking notice of Bowling Green and all that we have to offer. We’re also poised for significant growth in the motorsports industry because of the new motorsports park in development by the National Corvette Museum and the companies here that are part of the high-performance and racing segments, such as Holley Performance Products, Quick Fuel Technology, and RC Components. This is all because of the great partnerships that we have with these companies, the National Corvette Museum, and our stakeholders.”

Wendell Strode, executive director of the National Corvette Museum, agreed. “By partnering together, we’re exponentially growing our network of Corvette and motorsports enthusiasts. This is a true example of how we’re all committed to one goal: to grow businesses, create more jobs, and bring more dollars to South Central Kentucky.”

The Chamber purchased the press kit at auction, and General Motors will donate the proceeds to fund breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society. Bunch remarked, “This purchase was a statement about the pride we have in the Corvette, as well as a way for us to support a worthy cause. I commend General Motors for using the sale of this press kit as an opportunity to bring more awareness to breast cancer research.”