Four groups that work in various ways to promote Bowling Green will use a grant from the
Toledo Community Foundation to help determine the feasibility of setting up a one-stop-shop for their
services.The $15,000 grant will be administered by the Downtown BG Foundation and also involve the BG
Chamber of Commerce, BG Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and BG Community Development Foundation. Downtown BG
and the CDF share office space on East Wooster Street, while the chamber is on North Main Street and the CVB
on East Court Street."This will allow us to do our due diligence on things we’re not experts on,"
Barb Ruland, director of Downtown BG, told chamber trustees Friday morning. "The Community Foundation
is looking to us to provide a model for other agencies around the state," she said.Chamber President
Bruce Stevens said "Now it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and go to work."Ruland learned of
the grant possibility early in 2013 and shared the possibility with the other groups. The idea was also
promoted in the 2012 visioning program between the city and Bowling Green State University."This is
part of a great opportunity to help nonprofits operate in a more efficient manner," Ruland said. She
said the effort will look at ways to collaborate and also ways in which the four are different. "The
sentiment may be this is a good thing to do but how to do it and make it work is the question." The
study will also look at moving expenses, space requirements and how to deal with existing leases.Ruland said
the study could lead to a second grant that would help with some of the costs of setting up the combined
location, if it becomes reality."We’re on board," said Earlene Kilpatrick, executive director of
the chamber. She said each group will assess its needs and determine "if indeed a one-stop is feasible.
We are being responsible to our members by looking at this. It will be a work in progress next
year."CVB Director Wendy Stram said Lima has developed a one-stop that appears to be working. "If
we can all save some money by moving together that would make it easier on the community. The public does
not always know our various missions. If they can walk in and get assistance with one fell-swoop, that
should be beneficial."Stram said she would like to see "Bowling Green, as a whole, market itself
as a destination and a brand. Visit, live, eat and shop." She said the four groups have a long-term
policy of meeting once a month.CDF Director Sue Clark said the grant will help each of the four with their
planning. "This will take a good look at what we need and who we all are. It will determine whether we
have similar enough missions to get together. It will be a healthy process."