| Thursday February 7,
2008 |
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Volume
VIII, Issue 1 |
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The 2008 Economic
Outlook held here Jan. 11
Speech by Jeff
Humphreys, Sleig
Center of the Terry College of Business
Assuming that the U.S. and Georgia economies
manage to keep their heads above water, then Columbus will enjoy
very solid economic expansion in 2008. In fact, the pace of job
growth in the Columbus area will accelerate, which is just the
opposite of our forecast of a noticeable slowdown in hiring for
both the state and the nation.
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| Robert T. Sumichrast, Dean of
the Terry College of Business, gave his forecast for the
nation and the state of Georgia. Jeff Humphreys, Sleig
Center of the Terry College of Business provided a
detailed forecast of Columbus. |
Even better: I expect the pace of growth to
rise in 2009. And, then, the pace of growth will really take off
in 2010. That's when the Armor School begins to move into Fort
Benning.
The bottom line is that Columbus has so many
projects in the economic development pipeline that the economy
should have the strength to sustain economic growth through a
mild to moderate U.S. recession.
That does not mean that Columbus is recession
proof. If the U.S. recession is sharp and long then Columbus
also would take a hit. I put the risk of recession in Columbus
at roughly 20%. That's half the downside risk that I see for
either the state or the nation.
Let's translate that forecast into actual job
growth.
I expect the number of non-farm civilian jobs
in the Columbus area to rise by 2.4 percent in 2008. That's
roughly 3,000 new jobs, which is a very strong number. In fact,
the last time Columbus added that many jobs in a single year was
back in 1997. And, the percentage gain is more than double the
1.1% gain that the Terry College expects for the state as a
whole, and is triple the 0.8% gain projected for the nation.
I suspect the main challenge facing Columbus
will be preparing your region to accommodate the job and
population growth that is coming.
The track record suggests that your leaders
are up to the challenge. And, I suspect that their demonstrated
ability to work together to get massive projects done is one
reason why those calling the shots in the 2005 BRAC were
confident in choosing to relocate thousands of military
personnel and tens of thousands of trainees to Fort Benning.
Why am I so bullish on Columbus?
Expansions at both Fort Benning and Aflac
underpin my optimism. Of course, I also expect the new Kia plant
and its suppliers to provide a boost to the regional economy.
For more of the speech, click here to download
or view in PDF format.
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Columbus' Cost of Living Remains Lower
than National Average
According to the recently released Cost of Living Index,
Columbus is ranked 92.6, or 7.4 percent below the national average for the
third quarter of 2007. The report is compiled and published by The Council for
Community and Economic Research (C2ER), formerly known as the American Chamber
of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA).
The Cost of Living Index is a quarterly measurement of the
cost of consumer goods and services in over 300 communities throughout the U.S.
The survey collects prices for 57 different items and services, and then
determines the national average cost for that item. The prices in each
community are then compared to the national average number. Once this has been
accomplished, it becomes clearer as to where a community stands with respect to
the national average.
Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, and
university economic centers participate in the price collection for each urban
area. In Columbus, the price collection is coordinated through the Greater
Columbus Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Department. Occasionally,
small differences may be noticeable, but should not be interpreted as showing
any measurable difference, according to C2ER.
According to the most recent report released by C2ER, the
composite Cost of Living of 92.6 ranks Columbus as 109 out of 302 communities
with the lowest Cost of Living. In other words, there are 193 communities that
are more expensive than Columbus, while there are only 108 communities where
the Cost of Living is lower. The lowest Cost of Living can be found in Joplin,
Missouri, which has a Composite Index of 82.0, while the highest Cost of Living
is found in New York City (Manhattan), with a Composite Index of 213.0.
Overall, 64% of the communities participating in the survey have Costs of
Living higher than Columbus.
The Index does not measure inflation. Rather, it analyzes
specific items and services that are common to most people and available in
most communities. The prices are gathered at a single point in time, usually on
a designated Thursday/Friday/Saturday pricing period. This ensures that any
potential impact for price fluctuations can be eliminated or severely limited.
With a broad range of items and services to be priced, it is the most
comprehensive Cost of Living Index available.
The Index uses grocery items (ground beef, canned tuna, milk,
eggs, etc), housing (new home costs and apartment rental rates), utilities
(natural gas, electric, phone), transportation (tire balancing and gasoline
prices), healthcare costs (office visits to doctors, dentists, and
optometrists, as well as costs for prescription and non-prescription drugs),
and miscellaneous goods and services (pizza and quarter pound burgers,
haircuts, dry cleaning, clothing prices, etc.). Each category is weighted, and
the results compiled into the composite index.
For example, by surveying ten grocery stores in the Columbus
area, it was determined that the average price for a loaf of bread was $1.19.
By comparison, the average cost of a loaf of bread in Valdosta was $1.25, only
slightly higher. However, a loaf of bread in New Haven, CT. was $2.66, and in
Honolulu, it was $3.10. When considering a 64 oz. container of orange juice,
the average price in Columbus was $3.44, but $4.99 in Anchorage, AK., $5.79 in
Oakland, CA., and $5.76 in Honolulu, HI.
The cost of healthcare in Columbus ranked as the lowest
average number among the eight other communities that participated in the
survey. The Columbus Healthcare Index is 91.7, compared to 101.4 in Atlanta,
102.1 in Valdosta, 103.8 in Rome, and 108.3 in Augusta. Of the nine
participating communities in Georgia, only Columbus, Savannah, Douglas, and
Americus reported that results in all categories were ranked below the national
average.
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| Click to view the
Cost of Living maps |
| Map Legend
Top Map:
- Red is higher than the national average
- Green is lower than the national average
- Blue is Columbus which is below the national average
Bottom Map:
- Red is above the Columbus average
- Green is below the Columbus average
- Blue is the same as the Columbus average
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We
would like to express our deepest appreciation to all of our
members for their support of the Chamber and, especially, to
our Enhanced Investors, some of whom are included below:
Continuous
Sponsors
AFLAC
Incorporated; AT&T;
BlueCross
BlueShield of Georgia; Columbus
Bank and Trust; Columbus
Regional Healthcare Systems, Inc.; Deltacom; Georgia
Power Company; St.
Francis Hospital; Synovus
Financial Corp.; TSYS;
W.C. Bradley Company
Gold Sponsors:
Atmos
Energy; Bill
Heard Chevrolet; Carl
Gregory Enterprises; Columbus
Doctors Hospital; Growing
Room, Inc.; Hughston
Orthopedic Hospital; Kodak;
Panasonic Battery Corporation of America; SunTrust
Bank; Wachovia
As a not-for-profit organization, the
Chamber provides the ideal venue for public-private
partnerships to maintain a pro-business region. While we
appreciate all of our members, many business leaders recognize
the value of investing more than their membership fees in the
Chamber’s mission to benefit the region. The Chamber’s
Enhanced Investor levels include Continuous, Platinum, Gold,
Silver, and Bronze Sponsors.
Our enhanced investors receive Chamber benefits in accordance
with the different levels of investments. We would like to
have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the benefits
of being an enhanced investor or increasing the sponsor level
of your investment. Please contact Mark Blackwell at 706-327-1566, ext. 16 or mblackwell@columbusgachamber.com.
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Education
very important to economic development
The ARCHIE Report on the Peach State Poll
recently provided some valuable insight on some perceptions
concerning education in Georgia. 75% surveyed answered that
they think that colleges and universities are "very
important" to economic development. Yet the number of
high school drop outs, the percentage of Georgians who obtain
some type of post secondary education is well below that
number. If our Region is to reach the level of economic
success that is possible, we must not settle for the past
achievements or rationalize that the South as a whole has this
problem. Job creation depends upon many factors. It would be
hard to find one factor more important than having a future
workforce that is skilled and trained. Parents, teachers,
administrators, businesses, the public and elected officials
all share in the challenges to make sure that no excuses or
hurdles prevent education attainment from being achieved…our
future depends on it!
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Step into the spotlight by becoming a
Chamber Super Star! Time is running out to select a
networking plan that is just right for you.
Click
here for more details and sign up today!
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Aunt
Pearlie's Food Products, Inc. a local company makes it into
Publix stores
The company received notice from their
national sales and distribution company that Publix stores would
roll out their products in 240 stores then moving to full
integration into the 930 stores, according to Brian Stone,
owner. If you don’t know Aunt Pearlie’s Food Products, Inc.
you might know his other business Columbus Gourmet. They started
trying to introduce their products into Publix back in October
of 2006.
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Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of
Commerce's 2007 Annual Meeting
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| 2007 Chamber Chair Stella Shulman, Executive
Vice President, The Jordan Company talked about the successes of 2007. |
The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce celebrated its
162nd year of business during the Annual Meeting honoring the accomplishments of
2007 Chamber Chair Stella Shulman, Executive Vice President, The Jordan Company.
The 2007 Annual Meeting was held January 9 in the Bill Heard Theater , at the
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
The Jim Woodruff, Jr. Memorial Award, representing the Hall of
Fame of Columbus Leadership, was presented by 2007 Chamber Chair Stella Shulman
to Thomas B. Black who retired as administrator for the Bradley-Turner
Foundation in 2006.
The major points of the 2007 Annual meeting included:
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| Russ Carreker, 2008-09 Chair Greater Columbus
Georgia Chamber of Commerce presents an obelisk to 2007 Chamber Chair
Stella Shulman, Executive Vice President, The Jordan Company for her
leadership. |
Economic Development was successful in 2007 and is important
to the continued growth of the region. "These new jobs and capital
investments provide great opportunities for many of our Chamber members to gain
new business benefiting their bottom lines," according to Russ Carreker.
"As they say, 'a rising tide floats everybody's boat' and that is what new
jobs and new capital investment will do…..raise the tide throughout our
region."
Being launched this year will be a new program tentatively
called the Young Professionals. "We already have the first corporate
sponsor who has not only helped us develop the program, but they have provided
the first "seed money" to allow us to hire a program manager and
actually get the program started" said Stella Shulman. "We want to
thank Aflac for being the first to show their support."
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| (L-R) Russ Carreker and Stella Shulman
jointly present the priorities of the Chamber for 2007. |
"Fort Benning, imagine if you can, what kind of an impact
$2.9 billion and over 11,000 new jobs will make for our whole region," said
Shulman. "That is more than double the investment of KIA! This is led by
Fred Green, Synovus, as the Chair of our Fort Benning Futures Partnership, and
his right hand, Chamber staff member Gary Jones."
"Making sure that we have not only adequate water for
this growth but sustainability for generations to come is essential," adds
Carreker. "And the federal government is beginning the process once again
that could have a significant impact on the air quality for our Region which
would affect every person and every business in our Region."
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| More
than 300 people turned out for the Annual Meeting. |
One of presentations at the Annual Meeting was "Shift
Happens" provides you through a "did you know" format a
shift in our society and how the world interacts. You will find some of the
numbers very interesting and possibly shifting the way you view the world. It
also questions how we will compete in the future world. http://www.columbusgachamber.com/2007am/
On the same page you will find a PowerPoint of the 2007
People, Places and Events. You might even see your picture in there. There are
more than 50 slides with three to four pictures per slide.
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Thomas
Black enters the hall of fame of Columbus
leadership
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| Stella
Shulman, chair 2007-08 presents the Jim
Woodruff, Jr. Memorial Award to Thomas
Black at the Annual Meeting. |
The Jim Woodruff, Jr.
Memorial Award, representing the Hall of Fame of
Columbus Leadership, was presented to Thomas B.
Black by 2007 Chair Stella Shulman during the
162nd Annual Meeting of the Greater Columbus
Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 9, 2008, at
the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in the
Bill Heard Theatre.
Past recipients of the Jim
Woodruff, Jr. Memorial Award include: D. A.
Turner, Dr. Thomas Y. Whitley, Dr. William Henry
Shaw, Maynard R. Ashworth, Charles S. Daley,
Emily Woodruff, Sara Spano, J. W. (Bill)
Feighner, Sr., L. Rollins Aldridge, Jr., John B.
Amos, William B. Turner, Gunby Jordan, Jack
Hughston, A. J. McClung, Judge Aaron Cohn, Harry
C. Jackson, Bill Heard, Jr., John Barnett
Woodruff, Rozier Dedwylder, George W. Ford, Jr.,
George Woodruff, James D. Yancey, Marvin R.
Schuster and James Blanchard.
"It is my pleasure to
present the Jim Woodruff Jr. Memorial Award
representing the Hall of Fame for Columbus
Leadership to Thomas B. Black, who's career has
spanned nearly 50 years," said Stella
Shulman 2007 chair of the Greater Columbus
Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "His service
to the community has touched a broad range of
our citizens making the Columbus region a better
place to live and work."
During his professional
career, Mr. Black was the Administrator of the
Bradley-Turner Foundation 1999-2006, President
of the TDJ Company 1986-1999, Tom's Foods Inc.
from 1960-1986 serving as Executive Vice
President from 1972-1986, Tom Black, Inc.
1957-1960 and served in the U.S. Army from
1955-1957.
Black's impact on the
community and the lives of area citizens can be
seen in his service as a Trustee & Past
Board Chair, Columbus State University
Foundation, Trustee, Columbus State University
Foundation Properties, Trustee & Past Board
Chair, Brookstone School, Trustee & Past
Board Chair, Mercer University, Trustee,
RiverCenter, Inc, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees,
The Pastoral Institute, Vice Chair, Board of
Trustees, Walter Alan Richards Foundation, Board
Member, Community Foundation of the
Chattahoochee Valley, Board of Directors,
Northstar Industries, Board of Directors,
Columbus River Center, Former Trustee, Columbus
Museum, Former Board Member, Metropolitan YMCA,
Former Campaign Chair and Board Chair, United
Way, served as Vice Chair, "The Columbus
Challenge" Campaign, served as Chairman of
the Community Projects Foundation, Past
President, Snack Food Association International,
Deacon and past Deacon Chair, First Baptist
Church of Columbus, serving as Co-Chair for
current Brookstone School Capital Campaign and
Board Member, Valley Interfaith Promise Homeless
Ministry.
The Jim Woodruff, Jr. Memorial
Award is given to a person who is so singularly
meritorious as to clearly warrant receiving of
the award. A lifetime of accomplishments and
contributions is considered. The recipient is
selected based on their depth of contribution in
leadership, innovation, imagination,
involvement, commitment and unselfish
humanitarian service-their total community
experience. |
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| Leaders from
Washington D.C. visit Columbus |
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| Leaders from a 10 county region
participated in the meeting on the growth of Fort Benning and its impact
on the region with leaders from Washington D.C. The group included
federal, state and local elected officials along with school district
officials from three counties from Alabama and 7 counties from Georgia. |
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| (Center seated) Keith Eastin, Assistant
Secretary, Installation and Environment, U.S. Department of Army, talked
about the importance of the meeting Jan. 29 on the Growth at Fort
Benning. Eastin was one several people who traveled from Washington D.C.
for an update on Fort Benning and the impact it will have on the
community. |
Download: U. S.
Army Approved Growth Estimates and Preparing For Growth
Timeline shown at the meeting |
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| Government
Affairs kicks 2008 with visit to the state
Capital
2008 kicks off the
Legislative Session January 15 at the
State Capitol in Atlanta. Several key
issues are likely to dominate the Session
in addition to the passage of the State
Budget. These items include:
- The State's Proposed
Water Management Plan
- Transportation
Funding
- The Speaker's
proposed GREAT Plan (a proposal to
shift Georgia's revenue from being
property tax driven to sales tax
driven)
 |
| Stella
Shulman, chair of the Greater
Columbus Georgia Chamber of
Commerce welcomed U.S. Congressman
Sanford Bishop for an update on
the region January 11. |
The Chamber will monitor
each of these issues very closely with a
staff presence in Atlanta. The Greater
Columbus Chamber also will have a group in
Atlanta attending the Georgia Chamber's
Annual Meeting and Egg's and Issues
Breakfast kicking off this new Legislative
Cycle. This meeting provides our Region
with great insight and access to the key
issues pertinent to our Region while
facilitating face time with those
individuals that hold great influence over
the outcomes of the State Legislation.
The Greater Columbus
Georgia Chamber hosted U.S. Congressman
Sanford Bishop for an Executive Briefing
January 11. The Congressman was joined by
his key staff Kenneth Cutts and Elaine
Gillespie. Congressman Bishop was briefed
on the following issues:
- Ft. Benning & the
Maneuver Center Update
- The National Infantry
Museum
- The Chamber's Policy
Statement on the State's Proposed
Water Plan
- Air Quality
These Executive
Briefings are utilized to keep our federal
elected officials and their staffs aware
of key issues essential to our Region. Our
next Executive Briefing is scheduled with
U.S. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland in
February.
Finally, on Thursday,
February 28th 2007 during the monthly Eye
Opener Breakfast the Chamber will host Ms.
Carol L. Kemker, Region 4 Deputy Director
of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Ms. Kemker will address our membership
about the Air Quality in our Region and
provide some tips on actions that will
improve the quality of our air. Recently,
our Region formed the Air Quality Alliance
of the Chattahoochee Valley to deal
specifically with this issue. |
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"Moving
the World One Rock At A Time"
D.A.T.
Trucking, Inc. named Greater Columbus Georgia
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Giant for
January
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| David E.
Hardge |
David E. Hardge established
D.A.T. Trucking, Inc. in 1996. D.A.T. comes from
the initials of his three children. In February
1998, the company was incorporated and started
with the purchase of one truck. That truck was
leased to companies in the Columbus, Georgia
area. In 1999, they decided to try it on their
own and by 2000 convinced Hardge's father-in law
to retire and purchase a 2nd truck together. In
the year 2003 D.A.T. Trucking, Inc. was
certified by the D.O.T. as a Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) for the state of GA.
"The first contract we did as a DBE was
Flat Rock Road, then Macon Road" said
Hardge. D.A.T. Trucking, Inc. is the emergency
trucking company for the city of Columbus.
"When the storm came through North Columbus
we helped to haul the trees and debris away. We
are currently under contract to various private
companies in Columbus." D.A.T. Trucking,
Inc. has a total of 35 Dump Trucks owned and
leased on the road daily. The company lends
support to the widows in the Smith Station
community with monetary gifts at Christmas and a
Ham or Turkey. D.A.T. hosts a company picnic on
Labor Day weekend where the community is
invited, and sponsors a Dump Truck in the MLK
Jr. Parade where young adults and children are
able ride in the bed. "We support and
donate to the Little League softball teams and
cheerleaders in Harris County as well as other
young adult organizations."
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Columbus two
years in a row "Best Communities for Young
People"
 100
Best- The latest edition of America's Promise Alliance has
once again chosen Columbus as one of 100 of the "Best
Communities for Young People". While we still have
much work and progress that needs to be made, this
selection is validation that much progress has been made
over the years to help Columbus become a "city of
choice".
The Young Professionals Program that was discussed at the
Chamber's Annual Meeting will be a valuable tool in our
continued efforts to attract and retain young
professionals for the Columbus Region.
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| Partners
In Education meets with Meriwether officials |
 |
| Leaders of Partners In
Education meet with Meriwether officials about how
they could start a PIE program in their county January
11, 2008. |
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The 2007
Economic Census coming to area businesses
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Columbus
Consolidated Government comprehensive plan discussed
The Comprehensive Plan for Columbus will
provide policy and planning guidance on the physical
development and redevelopment of the city. The new
Comprehensive Plan will look ahead to the year 2028 - so it
will help us prepare for the next 20 years in the future of
Columbus! Make plans to come and tell your neighbors!
A survey is another way to reach as many
people as possible and to gather input on the desired future
planning for the City. In addition, please visit the project
website at www.jjg.com/CCGPlan/.
This website will be updated throughout the process and will
contain documents, maps, interactive questionnaires, useful
links, and contact information.
The exciting process of preparing a plan
for your neighborhood and the City of Columbus has just
begun, and this is your invitation to have a part in it from
the very beginning! The City wants you to come to one of a
series of Visioning Workshops that will take place in six
different locations throughout the City. The workshops will
be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Each workshop
will begin with an informative presentation, "What is a
Comprehensive Plan?" and "What does it mean to my
neighborhood?" Next there will be "hands on"
exercises and discussion sessions where you and your
neighbors will discuss your concerns and identify ways you
can make positive changes in the future of your community.
The next meeting date and location can be
found below. Plan to attend the one nearest you.
Doors open at 5:30 pm to view displays and
to fill out the community questionnaire. Meeting is from
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Monday, February 11th
Baker Middle School Cafeteria
1215
Benning Drive
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| Other
links... |
|
Chamber home page . . . click
here |
Economic
Development home page
. . . click
here |
| Partnership
for Workforce Development home page . . . click
here |
| Partners
In Education home page . . . click
here |
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© Copyright 2007. Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
1200 6th Avenue | Columbus, GA 31902
P: 706.327.1566 | 1.800.360.8552 | F: 706.327.7512
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