WKU News

Join us for our next StartupGarden as we celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership at An Evening of Impact: 2026 Small Business Person of the Year Celebration honoring John Harnage.

Tuesday, May 26 | 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | WKU Innovation Campus | RSVP HERE

The event will celebrate Harnage’s recent recognition as the 2026 Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, one of the nation’s highest honors for small business leadership. Guests will hear firsthand insights from Harnage’s entrepreneurial journey and learn about the impact of innovation-driven business growth.

Hosted by Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (CREATE), the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, and the WKU Innovation Campus, the evening will highlight the power of bold ideas, collaboration, and community-driven entrepreneurship. The event celebrates the impact entrepreneurs can make in their communities.

 “We have been honored to not just watch Kentucky Thermal Institute grow, but to support John Harnage as he has become a leader in our region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Jeff Hook Executive Director of the Central Region Ecosystem for Arts, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (CREATE). “This community and this ecosystem are focused on supporting entrepreneur-led collaboration, and John embodies that spirit.”

Harnage, founder of Kentucky Thermal Institute, was selected for the statewide SBA honor based on his leadership, business growth, innovation, and contributions to the local economy. Kentucky Thermal Institute is headquartered at the WKU Innovation Campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

As Kentucky’s honoree, Harnage was invited to attend the National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the SBA,” said Harnage. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of our local community. We are proud to represent Kentucky on a national stage.”

For more than 60 years, the SBA has recognized entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in business growth, resilience, and community impact through its National Small Business Week awards program.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” said Julie Milam, Executive Vice President of Partnership Services for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “We are incredibly proud of John and the Kentucky Thermal Institute team for this well-deserved honor. Their success story is a powerful example of what is possible through hard work, vision, and community partnership.”

The evening will also feature the announcement of CREATE’s 2026 Launch KY winners, recognizing emerging entrepreneurs and innovative startup ideas from across the region.

For more information about Kentucky Thermal Institute, visit Kentucky Thermal Institute.

About Kentucky Thermal Institute

Kentucky Thermal Institute is a Bowling Green-based training and education provider specializing in thermography, equipping professionals with the skills to perform advanced thermal imaging and non-destructive inspections. Founded by John Harnage, the institute supports workforce development and innovation through hands-on instruction and real-world application across industries including building science, industrial inspection, and medical thermology.

For more information on the event, contact Penny Hughes at 270-745-2899 or penny.hughes@wku.edu.

For more information on Kentucky Thermal Institute email john@kythermal.institute.