GLASGOW – On Thursday, Barren Inc, the Barren County Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Industry Impact Awards Banquet sponsored by Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College at the Cave Area Convention Center.
The awards banquet was established to honor the achievements and investments of local industries in Barren County. The gathering included updates on economic development, a keynote speech delivered by Dr. J. Sabastian Leguizamon, who serves as an Associate Professor of Economics at WKU and Director for Applied Economics (WKU), and a highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony. This event brought together more than 175 attendees, including community leaders, business executives, and members.
The first award of the night, the 2023 Expansion Award, recognized World Wide Technologies for their recent expansion in Barren County. They created 19 high-wage jobs and invested nearly $1.3 million in the area, offering services like CNC machining, welding, and inspection.
Next up was the 2023 Health Industry Excellence Award, presented to T.J. Regional Health and accepted by Niel Thornberry. T.J. Regional Health, a nationally recognized hospital, was honored for its outstanding contributions to community health and wellness, particularly in cardiac and stroke care. They’ve also received marketing awards and are active supporters of the Barren County community through initiatives like the T.J. Community Mission Foundation, food drives, the Women’s Conference, and scholarship programs.
The Educational Partnership Award was presented to Green Mechanical Construction, Inc., in recognition of their outstanding collaboration with local schools to advance education. Wes Simpson accepted the award on their behalf. Green Mechanical Construction, Inc. initiated a successful plumbing pathway program at the Barren County Area Technology Center last year, providing hands-on experience to 5 students, 4 of whom were subsequently hired by GMCI. The program has since expanded, currently involving 13 local students.
At the Industry Impact Awards Banquet, the Community Impact Award was presented to Nemak USA, Inc. for their outstanding contributions to Barren County through volunteering, donations, and community engagement. The award was accepted by Tina Williams on behalf of Nemak USA, Inc. Their commitment to the community is evident through active participation in volunteering, generous sponsorships of non-profit organizations, and collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Glasgow for the 2023 ‘Movies Under the Stars’ event, along with their dedicated involvement in various Chamber boards and initiatives. Nemak is a true community champion.
The event’s final award, the 2023 Industry of the Year, honored the industry that had the greatest impact on Barren County in the past year. 3A Composites USA, Inc. received this accolade, with Dr. Angela Harlan of Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College presenting the award to Andrea Shannon, the Vice President of Operations for 3A Composites USA, Inc. Based in Glasgow, 3A Composites is renowned for manufacturing the leading Fome-COR Collective foam board for over 60 years. They continuously invest in Barren County, expand their operations, and create job opportunities. Their active participation in Chamber events, industry surveys, and informative tours for the Lead Forward programs demonstrates their engagement.
“Industry awards are a testament to the dedication, innovation, and standards of excellence exhibited by our local industries. These awards are more than just trophies; they are symbols of the incredible talent and potential within our community. As Chamber President, I believe that by celebrating these achievements, we not only honor our members but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth that benefits our entire business community. ” said Maureen Carpenter, President & CEO of Barren Inc.