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Bowling Green- The city of Bowling Green is bucking national trends at a time when growth has been stunted across the nation.  That trend extends to the business arena, where the city is seeing business expansion at a time when many are closing their doors.

It's hard to believe during tough times across the country, Bowling Green has seen more than $10.6 million in commercial construction since the beginning of the year.

Of course the largest construction project in Bowling Green right now is the new Wal-Mart Supercenter being built on the south side of town. This multi-million dollar facility is slated for completion sometime mid-summer.

Why do you think businesses are investing in Bowling Green?

Mayor David Koester said, "They're investing in Bowling Green because it is centrally located."

Down the road Orscheln's is building a larger facility, other new facilities include the new Pike County Clinic you see here, the People's Bank and Shaw's Automotive.

City Administrator J.D. Kerhman said, "What we're seeing in Bowling green in commercial development, it's not just the big stores you see on the highway -- Many of our local businesses have taken on renovation projects or built new facilities. So you have the small sole proprietors expanding and enhancing their business and this the community at large."

Kerhman says commercial development like this is key to keeping dollars in Bowling Green. Like many other small communities, local sales tax revenue has traditionally bled out into other communities as residents left town to shop. With new stores, city officials hope shoppers stay in Bowling Green, to restore the city as a commercial hub.

City officials tell us they believe the infrastructure improvements made to the city's water system and streets has helped attract business to town.