Bank of Edmonson County, R&R Honored at 2025 Industrial Authority Dinner

Bank is Named Business of the Year, R&R Named Industry of the Year

Left: Bank of Edmonson County received the 2025 Industrial Authority Business of the Year and right: R&R received Industry of the Year.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Two local businesses, each described as "home grown," were honored last night at the annual Edmonson County Industrial Authority dinner and awards, held at Tayvin Gardens in Chalybeate.

Bank of Edmonson County, which recently celebrated their 100th anniversary, received Business of the Year, presented by Chairman of the Industrial Authority and County Clerk Kevin Alexander. 

Alexander, a former employee of the Bank, discussed the impact the Bank has had on Edmonson County and the surrounding area. He spoke about the growth of the Bank through different decades and how it began as a $15,000 company that has now grown to a $200 million enterprise with three branches. The Bank leadership is still in the same family, with Alex Ulm serving as president and his sister Michelle Coleman serving as CEO.

Current and former Bank of Edmonson personnel at the event.

R&R, which began as a simple business called R&R Refrigeration in a small shop over 40 years ago, was honored as the Edmonson County Industrial Authority Industry of the Year. Co-founded by local resident Rex Wells, the HVAC company has expanded into multiple branches, including sheet metal, technical services, in addition to R&R Properties. 

The Brownsville company now employs nearly 100 people and serves not only this area, but has customers in multiple states. The family-based company is still owned and managed by the same company with three siblings, Ross Wells, Nathan Wells, and Holly Hayes serving as leadership for the company now simply known as R&R. 

R&R received Industry of the Year at the 2025 Edmonson County Industry of the Year dinner.

Former Bowling Green Mayor and Edmonson County native Johnny Webb was the keynote speaker at the event.

He spoke of his humble upbringing in Lindseyville and traded jabs with several attendees in the crowd. He discussed the creation of one of the most efficient cleanup and beautifying projects in the state, which he led: "Operation P.R.I.D.E." 

The project, started over 30 years ago, helped improve the Bowling Green exits on Interstate 65 and other areas in Bowling Green. He encouraged those in attendance to have pride in their communities and to sell those same communities to others in order to promote growth in them.

Former Bowling Green Mayor and Edmonson native Johnny Webb speaks at the dinner.

The Industrial Authority is managed by a board of directors of all local residents.