City and downtown revitalization do not require millions of dollars, but it does require commitment by the City, its citizens, and a master plan. For cities with limited capital and resources, taking incremental small steps often proves more sustainable and effective than attempting large-scale transformations. Mayors, alderpersons, and city administrators in small communities are transforming one strategic step at a time. An incremental revitalization approach is helping rural communities create vibrant city and downtown spaces that attract businesses and build community pride. This is all within realistic city budget constraints, civic leadership and financial commitments. With small investments and creative incentives plus micro-events in parks, business sponsorships, and organizational activities, remarkable results occur. I am so proud of the citizens of Bowling Green and how many have stepped up and invested in their city. New businesses are springing all around town with food trucks, activity venues, in-home businesses, and new brick and mortar businesses. New houses with single family, duplex, triplex, and quad plexus are being built and sold and if we had more smaller homes and apartments, they would be filled as well.

Thanks go to Second Baptist Church and the 8 other churches that joined together to promote 2025 Love Thy Neighbor program! 75 volunteers signed up to help tear down and rebuild porches, decks, steps, and ramps while also putting on new roofs and painting houses. Volunteers also cooked three meals a day to feed the workers, had a care team that prayed and visited with the individuals and families plus they gave the homeowners Bibles with signatures of those that worked on their homes.  Each evening there was a praise and worship time as well as a guest minister to share God’s Word. This was the second year for the Love Thy Neighbor project and it reached into Louisiana, Indian Creek, and St. Clement areas along with Bowling Green. A great deal of thanks to those workers who were out in the heat, gave up vacation time, cooked meals, organized and promoted this wonderful event, and covered the efforts with prayer.

I hope everyone is able to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. We are 1 year away from our 250th anniversary as a nation. We have much to celebrate as a Country and it is not simply another day. Too many people have fought, died, were maimed, and families sacrificed so much for the freedoms and blessing we have in America. Thanks to all who attended the Lincoln-Reagan banquet and listened to KANE as the guest speaker!

A great turnout for First Presbyterian BBQ helped in their fund-raising event and the same for the Pike County Christian School dinner and auction! The Mudders got muddy and there were many great events in Bowling Green over the last couple of weeks. I have again been in contact with Aldi and IGA concerning another grocery store for Bowling Green but without success. KFC, Captain D’s and Long John Silvers have not committed to building here either. I will not quit!