Hitcents.com Celebrates Groundbreaking in Downtown Bowling Green

Contact:
Jessica Thompson, Marketing & Communications Director
270.781.3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY (June 22, 2012)--Hitcents.com, city and county leaders, and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the company's plans for a location in downtown Bowling Green with a groundbreaking ceremony today. Hitcents is the first business to announce that it will occupy the commercial wrap surrounding the new parking structure at College Street and Eighth Avenue. The company's founders and operators-Ed, Chris, and Clinton Mills-are also the subdevelopers of the four-story wrap structure.

Clinton Mills, Hitcents' CEO commented, "Today is a significant achievement in the life of our company. Seeing the first steps of this new development of our new modern office space reaffirms our excitement for the future of Hitcents. Being in the heart of Bowling Green is a perfect opportunity to help support and grow our community and we are proud to see this opportunity officially begin."

Hitcents began as a two-person internet advertising venture when twins Chris and Clinton were 15 years old. Together with their father, Ed, they have grown the company into an interactive and creative agency providing custom web design, innovative software development, creative graphic and marketing solutions, and it has garnered national and international attention for its innovative products and services.

In 2007, Inc. Magazine listed the company as #191 on its list of the 500 fastest growing companies. That same year, Chris and Clinton were named fifth in the magazine's list of top CEOs under the age of 30. In May 2012, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Science, which recognized Hitcents' Draw a Stickman as the winner for Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics during the 2012 Webby Awards. The company also received two Webby People's Voice Awards for Draw a Stickman: Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics and Viral Marketing.

Acquired by Houchens Industries in 2003, Hitcents is currently housed in the Central Region Innovation & Commercialization Center at Western Kentucky University. The new downtown location, which will occupy roughly half of the fourth floor of the parking garage wrap, will be a 13,000-sq. ft. headquarters space with multiple conference rooms, casual meeting areas and a mini-café.

"We are honored to have Hitcents in our community," said Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson. "Chris, Clinton and Ed are innovative leaders who are proud to be a part of Bowling Green while doing business worldwide. We thank them for their commitment to staying here and for their vision to become the first tenant in the garage wrap that they are helping to build."

Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon agreed. "Hitcents is a unique company, a real success story for our community that we are all proud to share with contacts, potential economic development prospects, and visitors alike. We congratulate the Mills family on their achievements, and we look forward to watching the company, and our downtown, continue to grow."

The Mills family is working closely with the City, County and the Warren County Downtown Economic Development Authority to develop the garage's commercial wrap as part of the Tax Increment Financing district. Doug Gorman, chairman of the Authority, is eager to see Hitcents' project take shape. "Today's groundbreaking is the next step in growing our downtown. We are so appreciative that Chris, Clinton and Ed have committed to develop this commercial space and locate their new office here, and their vision and leadership will help attract even more businesses to this location."

Board of Directors Chairman D. Gaines Penn spoke on behalf of the Chamber and congratulated the Mills family, saying, "You are already leaders in your field, innovators in technology, design and creativity. We thank you for your continued investment in Bowling Green!"
 

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:

Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.

Visit www.bgchamber.com to learn more about the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.