BOWLING GREEN Ky. - A celebration years in the making took center stage Tuesday night, as the City of Bowling Green unveiled a bold new tradition, honoring the people behind nearly 900 families housed, thousands of residents engaged, and a growing wave of community transformation, at its inaugural Community Impact Awards, a reimagined celebration of community excellence formerly known as the Neighborhood Builders Banquet.
The event brought together elected officials, community partners, and residents to recognize the individuals and organizations making a lasting difference across the city.
Community Engagement Division Manager Leyda Becker welcomed attendees and introduced distinguished guests, including Mayor Todd Alcott, City Commissioners, and City Manager Jeff Meisel.
Held at the Sloan Convention Center, the event showcased the work of NCS and its six divisions, marking a year of major strides in housing, community development, public safety, downtown revitalization, and community engagement.
A Year of Impact
Throughout the program, City staff shared major accomplishments from the past year:
- Housing Stability: Nearly 900 local families maintained stable housing through the City’s Housing Voucher Program, with 28 households transitioning out of chronic homelessness.
- Affordable Housing Growth: Approximately 700 new affordable housing units are in development, representing one of the largest investments in recent years.
- Community Development: Construction began on Phase 1 of Riverfront Park, alongside the development of 15,000 linear feet of new pedestrian infrastructure.
- Public Safety & Outreach: The Cooperative Compliance Zone project enhanced 261 homes through volunteer efforts, while free rabies and microchip clinics served hundreds of pets.
- Downtown Revitalization: Events such as Duncan Hines Days drew over 13,000 visitors and generated an estimated $2 million in economic impact.
- Community Engagement: More than 50,000 residents participated in 70 free community events, with expanded language access services supporting over 20 languages citywide.
The City also celebrated the relaunch of the Strategic Neighborhood Grant Program, awarding more than $84,000 to neighborhood-led projects across Bowling Green since July 2025.
Honoring Community Leaders
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Community Impact Awards, recognizing exceptional service and leadership:
- C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Award: Presented to Kris York and Sharon Allgeier for their outstanding collaboration and compassionate community outreach through Goodwill’s Another Way Program.
- Downtown Spark Award: Awarded to Jim Steen for over two decades of leadership, advocacy, and dedication to strengthening Downtown Bowling Green.
- Catalyst for Change Award: Presented posthumously to Abraham Williams and his family in recognition of his transformative contributions to housing, economic development, and community revitalization.
- Stronger Together Award: Awarded to the City’s Public Works Operations Division for their essential behind-the-scenes support of community events and public safety efforts.
- Legacy Impact Award: Presented posthumously to Mike Murphy, honoring his decades of leadership, community investment, and lasting contributions to Bowling Green’s growth and development.
Honorable mentions for the Legacy Impact Award included Timothy Allen and Kent Madison, both recognized for their significant and ongoing contributions to the community.
Strengthening Community Through Partnership
City officials emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving meaningful impact. From neighborhood volunteers to nonprofit organizations and local businesses, collaboration continues to be a driving force behind Bowling Green’s success.
“This event is about celebrating the people who make our community stronger every day,” said Becker. “Our neighbors, partners, and everyday heroes are the reason Bowling Green continues to thrive.”
Mayor Alcott concluded the evening with remarks highlighting the City’s commitment to continued growth, inclusion, and community-driven progress.