The city of Bowling Green has seen significant changes with the recent closings of two beloved downtown businesses. Despite these departures, statewide data shows that small businesses still outnumber larger nationwide businesses.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 Small Business Profile, 99.6% of businesses in Ohio are small businesses. Additionally, 43.8% of the state’s net jobs were created by small businesses between 2023 and 2024. This statewide momentum is reflected locally, amidst local business shifts.
Bowling Green City Council member, Jeff Dennis, stressed the importance of making downtown “a more welcoming atmosphere for pedestrians,” something especially important for a college town that relies more on foot traffic. The recent city efforts, like alleyway improvements and street updates, were aimed at strengthening the environment for local shops…