OgMentum ARK To Establish Headquarters in Bowling Green With $475,000 Investment, Create At Least 24 High-Paying Jobs

Expansion is strategic partnership with Western Kentucky University

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2025) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced OgMentum ARK, a newly formed technology enterprise, plans to locate its headquarters and research and development operations in Bowling Green. The $475,000 project is expected to generate at least 24 high-wage jobs within the first three years, including scientists, engineers, technicians and administrators.

This investment establishes OgMentum's North American hub for fiber optic development and manufacturing of advanced technologies with applications across communications and sensing, addressing datacom, telecom, structural health and gas sensing in commercial and national defense markets.

"Companies from across the world are investing in Kentucky, creating good jobs for our people and showing that our state is the best place to do business," said Gov. Beshear. "Today's announcement from OgMentum ARK is an exciting next step for the commonwealth's growing technology sector and for the Bowling Green community. I want to thank the company's leadership for their belief in our state and welcome them to their New Kentucky Home."

The company will relocate its overseas fiber optic manufacturing, new product development team, sales team and research and development arm in Warren County. The Bowling Green location provides OgMentum ARK with cost-effective space, the ability to easily expand, local university expertise and technology growth opportunities and a strong, proficient workforce to meet current and future needs. The company caters to two key markets: fiber optic communications (telecom, datacom and specialty communications) and distributed fiber optic sensing (structural health, gas and fluid, biomedical and chemical).

"We are thrilled to launch OgMentum ARK in Bowling Green," said Jake Weise, president of OgMentum ARK. "This region offers the workforce, partnerships and vision we need to innovate at scale. We are not just expanding; we are investing in a future built on talent, technology and trust."

"Over the past several months, we have had the honor of working closely with Ron Bunch, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Timothy Caboni, president of Western Kentucky University," said Kent Murphy, CEO of OgMentum ARK. "Both bring an inspiring vision for the future of Bowling Green. We are excited to align with a community so committed to progress and collaboration, and we look forward to contributing to the continued growth and success of Bowling Green as a hub for technology and economic advancement."

OgMentum ARK is a next-generation company focused on cutting-edge fiber optics technologies addressing communications and sensing. With a combined legacy in advanced manufacturing and deep scientific research, the company aims to lead innovation in fields ranging from data communications, telecommunications and distributed sensing systems. Its new Bowling Green operations will anchor its North American strategy and drive long-term growth through strategic partnerships and regional investment.

Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman spoke on what the area has to offer: "OgMentum ARK's decision to plant roots in Warren County is a powerful endorsement of what our region offers. We are not just welcoming jobs - we're welcoming a company that is pioneering technologies with national significance. This move reflects our unwavering commitment to securing future-focused employers who bring long-term value to our residents and to Kentucky."

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott mentioned the city's economic future: "This win exemplifies the kind of transformative growth that defines Bowling Green's economic future. We are proud to champion visionary companies that are advancing global innovation while investing locally. Our city is ready to provide the support, infrastructure and talent ecosystem needed to help them thrive."

Ron Bunch, president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the company to the community: "We are excited to welcome OgMentum ARK to our growing business community. Their investment in high-tech jobs aligns with our region's strategic goals and helps cement Bowling Green's reputation as a destination for advanced industries."

A central component of the company's expansion is a strategic partnership with Western Kentucky University to train the next generation of technical talent in fiber optics and accelerate South Central Kentucky's emergence as a technology and innovation center of excellence.

"Our collaboration with OgMentum ARK embodies the essence of WKU's mission - leveraging applied research and academic excellence to elevate South Central Kentucky," said Dr. Timothy C. Caboni, president of Western Kentucky University. "Through this partnership, we're building a highly specialized talent pipeline, advancing our university's strategic priority of innovation-driven regional transformation and laying the groundwork for meaningful public private synergy that benefits students, industry and our broader community."

OgMentum ARK's investment and job creation build on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,200 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $43 billion in announced investments, creating more than 63,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth's history and over $18 billion more than the next highest total.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. Since 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage has topped $26 in three consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On's transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC's $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota's $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; Ford Motor Co.'s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville; and Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing's $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County, among others.

The Governor's administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service.

Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2024 Governor's Cup rankings. Site Selection also placed Kentucky second in the South Central region and No. 6 nationally in its 2025 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.

To encourage investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in June preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $100,000 in tax incentives based on the company's investment of at least $475,000 and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of at least 24 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $64.90, including benefits, across those jobs.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, OgMentum ARK can receive resources from Kentucky's workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.

For more information on OgMentum ARK, visit OgMentum.com.

A detailed community profile for Warren County can be viewed here.

Information on Kentucky's economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.

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