By Mark Doggett
Have you noticed the increased traffic in and around Bowling Green? What used to take 15 minutes of travel time now takes 25 or 30 minutes. Bowling Green has changed from a town into a city. If current trends (3.38% annual growth) continue, BG will have a population larger than 100,000 in another 9 years. Are you ready for this?
I have lived in both big cities and small towns. Big cities have lots of things to do. They have opportunities for making money, enjoying entertainment, dancing, foods of all type, and high-speed internet. People come to cities to congregate and socialize.
But big cities also have big problems. Homelessness, drug abuse, crime, and of course traffic congestion to name a few. Cities are impersonal and unfriendly. Always lock your car and don’t leave packages unattended. Don’t make eye contact with strangers.
Towns, on the other hand, don’t have much going on. There are a few local eateries and watering holes. They have a few small businesses and maybe a Walmart, but not a super one. No one would ever think of stealing your mail.
In towns, neighbors meet at the local VFW or community center fundraiser. People know your name and ask about your kids. If a small town resident falls on hard times, the folks pitch in to help them get back on track. Traffic is only a problem on Sunday after church.
What is causing all this growth in BG? One reason is that we are business friendly. Another reason is the university. But is BG family friendly? Is the need for prosperity outpacing the need for community? According to the planning commission, BG is only supposed to grow by 2% per year, but it is well over that. I don’t know about you, but I did not move to BG because I wanted to live in a city.
What is so great about growth? Why are we in such a rush to become big? I think it has something to do with money. Who wants growth? The real estate developers and building contractors for sure. Who benefits? Perhaps big business and the politicians. Don’t get me wrong, I like prosperity as much as anyone. But at what price?
Those promoting growth say BG will be “different” than Lexington or Louisville. But they don’t say how. I don’t believe BG will be any different. Cities always have more problems than towns.
Want to live in a big city? Stick around. I liked BG better when it was still a town.
About Mark
Mark Doggett is a professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Kentucky University.