Solutions for local economic, transportation, and workforce concerns were on display recently.The
Economic Development Summit, at the Holiday Inn Express on East Wooster Street, highlighted the efforts of
Bowling Green State University students through projects aiming to help the greater Bowling Green
community.The projects were the result of a Seminar in Local Economic Development the students enrolled in
as part of their coursework in the Masters in Public Administration program at BGSU. Four opportunities were
available:• A coordinated public transportation and human services plan, with WSOS.• A Bowling Green
workforce needs assessment, with the Bowling Green Community Development Foundation.• A Buy Local campaign,
also with the BGCDF.• A Wood County Regional Airport alternative revenue study, with the Wood County
Regional Airport.The course, taught by Dr. Russell Mills, was a service-learning seminar allowing students
to work with a community partner. The course served two additional purposes – the students get real-world
experience, while the agencies they work with receive free services."Buy BG" was the slogan
dreamed up by one of the groups, working with the BGCDF to help develop the Buy Local campaign for Bowling
Green businesses. Communities with well-known and well-publicized campaigns of this kind often show growth
in local revenue.Through work with area businesses and surveys, the group found that BGSU students often
weren’t aware of local stores and restaurants in the downtown and other areas. Only 55 percent of students
said they visited local retailers once or twice a week. A quarter of students surveyed said they never
did."We need to raise awareness of what Bowling Green has to offer," said group member Stephanie
Shackelford.The group worked with a graphic designer from the Copy Shop to develop a logo, and established a
Facebook page for the "Buy BG" initiative, which quickly racked up attention online. A visual
directory of local businesses was started on that page. They even set up a Buy BG internship program, with
two positions, to be housed in the Bowling Green Economic Development Foundation to continue and build on
the project."We have barely scratched the surface on a buy local campaign for the city of Bowling
Green," said Holly Cipriani.Another group discussed potential alternate revenue opportunities for the
Wood County Regional Airport. The airport is itself closely intertwined with the university and its aviation
program. While the WCRA’s main source of revenue comes from fuel sales, more than 64 percent of those sales
are to BGSU.Group members discussed the possibility of developing airport-owned land, creating specific
zoning categories for the airport itself, adding on to its website, and working with the Bowling Green
Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau to collaborate on other ideas. The location, they said, could be
used as a historical resource or business meeting space.Regarding the transit plan, project member Desmond
Carter noted that "public transportation is an important part of economic development."Those in
need of the service usually require it most for hospital and doctors’ trips. Transit in a given area often
translates out to higher quality of life, which itself translates into other regional benefits. However, in
Wood County, only Bowling Green and Rossford have dedicated public transit options.Surveys and focus groups
conducted by the group found that the demand is coming largely from aging baby boomers and seniors,
commuters and those with disabilities.Students looking into the workforce needs of area employers found that
retention of their workers is among their greatest challenges, and that many workers seem to have issues
concerning work ethic, feelings of entitlement, and resistance to being managed. Many lack needed math
skills and basic concepts of professionalism."Businesses just feel the pool of applicants" isn’t
as good as it could be, said group member and Bowling Green City Councilman Daniel Gordon.The event took
place April 24.