Cessna announces an expansion a phased project
creating 200 new jobs, investing $25 million

Ron Alberti, Cessna, senior vice president, Supply Chain, talked about the work ethic of the local employees and how that played a role in the decision to expand in Columbus.

Cessna's Ron Alberti, senior vice president, Supply Chain, announced today Cessna would expand in Columbus investing $24 million. Cessna will build $11 million, 100,000-square-foot facility at Muscogee Technology Park expected to be completed by August 2008.

"When we came to Columbus in 1996, there were about 70 employees here, and now there are almost 600," said Cessna Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain Ron Alberti. "The strength of the workforce and the business climate in Muscogee County provides a terrific environment in which to grow our business, and we expect strong job growth as our business grows. Georgia's Quick Start training program and the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce have been instrumental in allowing us to expand over the past 11 years."

Cessna's newest building in Columbus will be on a 40-acre site. It is being designed by CH2M HILL Lockwood Greene of Atlanta and built by Batson-Cook Company based in West Point, Ga.

Gov. Sonny Perdue congratulates Cessna on its growth here brining 150 new jobs to the Columbus Region.

Cessna will spend up to $13 million over the next five years to add machinery for increased capacity and to introduce new technology at the three Columbus buildings. The company's existing two buildings totaling 241,500 square feet will continue operation on the 30-acre site they occupy at Columbus East Industrial Park, three miles
from the new building. Employment has increased from 70 in 1996 to approximately 600 today. Cessna expects to add up to 150 jobs in Columbus over the next five years.

"I want you to know we are here for this announcement but more importantly that we will be here to help when construction begins on your facility," said Mayor Jim Wetherington. "We are excited about your growth because of the kind of new jobs you will be creating for our workforce."

The 100,000 square-foot is first business to locate in the new Muscogee Technology Park. This park is the result of a land exchange with Fort Benning through a public private partnership.

Cessna Columbus employees manufacture detail parts and assemblies for Cessna's line of single engine pistons, Caravans and business jets. Additionally, employees here design and manufacture high quality propellers under the brand McCauley Propeller Systems. Each year, Cessna's Columbus facility produces more than 3,500 propellers, assembles about 11,750 control surfaces, cabins/tail cones and empennages, and fabricates an estimated 1.7 million detail parts for single engines, jets and Caravans.

"We look forward to your continued success and growth," said Stella Shulman, Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "Today is an expansion in our aviation sector one of six target industries by our economic development efforts. Our targeted industries include: aviation/aerospace, automotive suppliers, defense industries, information technology, transaction processing, healthcare and tourism."

Community leaders participate in the announcement and ground breaking ceremony.

Textron Aerospace Products' Columbus facility became a division of Cessna Aircraft Company in 1996. Roughly 412 are production workers and approximately 168 are support staff. Since 2001, Cessna has paid Columbus employees more than $107 million in salaries. Average tenure for employees in Columbus is 5.16 years. Since 1998, Cessna has paid more than $125,000 in tuition aid for Columbus employees, predominantly at local institutions.

(L-R) Stella Shulman, chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Jim Wetherington, Mike Gaymon, president and CEO Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Ron Alberti, senior vice president, Supply Chain Cessna, Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia Commissioner Kenneth C. Stewart, Jr. of Economic Development and Bob Gilson, chair, Development Authority of Columbus.

"Biddin on the Banks" huge success

The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted our second annual "Biddin on the Banks" Fall Gala and Auction on Sept. 14, 2007. With TSYS as our premier sponsor it was certainly an evening to remember that was full of fellowship, food, fundraising, and entertainment.

"Biddin on the Banks" was put together by this group of dedicated volunteers lead by Angela Wagenti, (second from the left). This group of volunteers put together an exciting evening of fun for more than 300 guests.

Stella Shulman, chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, welcomed more than 300 people to the annual "Biddin' on the Banks" gala Sept. 14 at RiverMill Event Center.

This 2nd annual event benefited the chamber's efforts to continue economic support for the Columbus Region by developing and sustaining a highly skilled workforce through education, training, business programs and dynamic partnerships. It is because of the unyielding support of our members and community that "Biddin' on the Banks" was ultimately a huge success this year. Everyone certainly had a part of putting the "FUN" in Fundraising at the RiverMill Event Center where our Gala was held.

(L-R) Moore Hallmark, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop Spirit of Enterprise award.

If you were not able to attend this fabulous occasion here is a glimpse of what you missed out on, it may also prompt you to mark your calendar for next year. We can not mention any details of this Fall Gala and Auction without first commending our Chair of the 2007 "Biddin' on the Banks" Event. Angela Wagenti did a fabulous job heading up the committee that took this event from basic ideas to reality. Angela's enthusiasm and vision kept the planning committee focused as she guided the event from start to finish. We appreciate Angela's hard work in making our 2007 auction a home run!

(L-R) Moore Hallmark, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented U.S. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland with the Spirit of Enterprise award.

The evening started months in advance when over 100 Chamber members throughout the Columbus area began donating wonderful auction items. Our members and volunteers pulled together to create a magnificent array of both Silent and Live auction items. Our items up for bid ranged from beautiful pieces art from local artists in our region, to weekend getaways in Atlanta, a Trip to Italy, and even a one year lease on a 300Z from Rob Doll Nissan. Over 110 silent items and 14 Live auction items were donated by generous businesses throughout our community. Among all the exiting things up for bid was also a gorgeous 14 karat diamond necklace that was raffled off. The food was delicious and the desserts were to die for! Every guest arrived in their finest cocktail attire ready to bid, eat, and mingle. We were also honored to have Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and Congressman Sanford Bishop as our special guests. Congressmen Westmoreland and Bishop received the Spirit of Enterprise award. This award was presented by Moore Hallmark from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

An exciting part of "Biddin on the Banks" was the silent auction that had more than 110 items on display that guests looked at and bid on.

The night ended around 11:30 p.m. but not with out a special piece of entertainment from the ladies who were called to cut a rug on the dance floor. We must also thank our continuous sponsors for their unconditional support; Aflac, Inc., AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Columbus Bank and Trust, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Georgia Power, Overby Company, St. Francis Hospital, Synovus Financial Corporation, TSYS, and the Bradley Company. Without the support of our members none of our events would be possible.

More then 90 regional leaders left Wednesday for a three-day trip to Tampa, FL on the 14th Annual Inter City Leadership Conference (ICLC). They will be returning Friday afternoon.

(L-R) Murray Solomon, Raymond James Financial Services, Richard Anthony, chair of the Inter City Leadership Conference, Synovus Financial Corp., Jim Martin, Clear Channel Broadcasting and Jay Alexander, Alexander Electric Company are waiting to board the flight to Tampa on the Inter City Leadership Conference Wednesday morning.

The annual Inter City Leadership Conference is designed to look at what Tampa, FL is doing well, what didn't work and how they would have done things differently to help the Columbus Region grow. It provides our leaders' great opportunities to learn from the processes that each city used that were successful, said Mike Gaymon, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the highlights of this year's topics include: Downtown Revitalization, Public Art, Enterprise Village, Academy Prep Presentation, BayCare Health System United by a Common Mission (How Nine Hospitals Joined Together, Sharing Services Such as human resources, purchasing and financial services, improved quality, better access and greater efficiencies using the Six-Sigma Process and Building a Convention Hotel.

(L-R) Steve Melton, Columbus Bank and Trust and Mayor Jim Wetherington packed and ready to see what Columbus can learn from Tampa.

Tampa is the second-largest MSA in the Southeast and one of the fastest growing areas of the United States. Metropolitan Statistical Area Population is 2.5 million (Includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties)

The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce organized the first ICLC trip in 1994 to Charlotte, NC followed by visits to Greenville, SC, Jacksonville, FL, Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, Austin, TX, Richmond, VA, Louisville, KY, Kansas City, MO, Indianapolis, IN, San Antonio, TX., St. Louis, MO, and last year, Baltimore, MD. By design, the cities visited are much larger than Columbus so that participants stretch their visions and aspirations for the region.

What are some of the accomplishments have these trips generated/encouraged?

• From Charlotte, NC came the idea for creating the Valley Partnership Joint Development Authority and the idea for the city's purchase of downtown property which subsequently became the uptown campus of TSYS.
• From Greenville, SC came the development of the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, uptown development and marketing the city for tourism.
• From Jacksonville, FL came the idea for the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS), the Columbus Civic Center reorganization and focused riverfront development.
• From Nashville, TN came the development of a $50 million public library with full online capabilities and community meeting rooms. Also, there came more general economic development and specific uptown development. The discussion of an umbrella organization was developed and more focus on our existing Sports Council developed. Branding of the city began to be discussed.
• From Memphis TN came the creation of the uptown Heritage Park commemorating the region's connection to manufacturing and the establishment of an Environmental Court to address special community issues. Also, a new appreciation for our existing National Infantry Museum was developed that resulted in a fund-raising campaign to build new facility. A Columbus Housing Initiative was formed. Uptown and riverfront development of more than 300 loft apartments have taken place.
• From Austin, TX came the idea for a Community Action Network Plan and the development of a high-tech incubator which materialized as the Information Technology Innovation Center which is housed the state-of-the-art facility at Columbus State University. Columbus successfully competed for a major computer chip manufacturing site. The community formed an Industry Cluster Strategy for the future recruitment efforts to target the technology cluster as one of six clusters. Focus on major support of the arts was enacted.
• From Richmond, VA came more focus on the art galleries and arts establishments and active dialogue on the Columbus workforce plan. The idea of the skate park also began in Richmond.
• From Louisville, KY came the further development of the idea to relocate the rail yard from downtown. Loft apartment developments and further discussion of branding came as well.
• From the trip to Kansas City, MO several initiatives are underway: the Liberty Memorial fund-raising campaign and the Chamber's brick walk of recognition, bi-state and regional opportunistic projects, tax increment financing, philanthropy plans for a community, performing arts high school programs and healthcare research initiatives. A lot of focus was also placed on planning.
• From the trip to Indianapolis, IN came an understanding of their new branding effort, their performing arts magnet program not only in the public high school system but also in its middle school and elementary school systems and housing renovation initiatives.
• From the trip to San Antonio, TX the San Antonio River Walk area is providing ideas for our area, BRAC initiatives, the Downtown Alliance provided ideas for UpTown, healthcare collaborations helped to develop the Chamber's Healthcare Committee, the Alamo Workforce helped the Valley Promise successfully implement their program and the Sports Foundation helped the creation of "Kids in Motion" by the Greater Columbus Sports and Events Council.
• From the trip to St. Louis, MO came discussions on Bi-State Regionalism, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Planning & Urban Design, Academia and Technical Pathways, Regional Arts Commission and Healthcare.
• From the trip to Baltimore, MD Baltimore Arts and Promotion, Leadership & Diversity, Healthcare Collaboration for Minority Businesses/Bridging the, Smart Codes, Reusing Old Buildings for New Purposes resulting in the International Codes being developed, Managing for Success: An Audit of Five Cities, BRAC - Maryland's Perspective, Mayor's Program for the Arts & Public Art, Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation and Research & Strategic Planning, Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan.

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