Community Leaders Traveled to Learn from Fort Worth

Fort Worth Water Gardens	Downtown Fort Worth

More than 80 community leaders left on the 15th Inter City Leadership Conference of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. They departed from the Columbus Metropolitan Airport Oct. 1, enroute to "Where the West Begins," Fort Worth, TX.

On previous Inter City trips, community leaders visited larger communities to learn and take away best practices and/or learn from others' mistakes. Last year the Inter City Leadership Conference went to Tampa, FL.

Some of the highlights of the trip to Fort Worth included: Downtown Revitalization where they learned how Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., transformed the center city. Like many urban areas in America, it was unattractive, unsafe, and under developed. The streets were virtually empty at night and many buildings were empty during the day. The private sector built new office towers, the City and County participated in Downtown planning and infrastructure programs, restaurants, night clubs and retail stores opened downtown, and people began to return to the core in large numbers. Public Art Story, the City of Fort Worth's Public Art Program, was established in October 2001 as a private/nonprofit organization when City Council passed a city ordinance to secure bond/tax funding. At the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, guests heard-The Sound of Music performed by students. The Academy produces a musical every year, one ballet, one opera and each student creates a personal choreography. Student class sizes range from 15 to 20 compared to an average of 40 at other schools. Another focus of this trip was the Fort Worth homelessness issue and the efforts of Directions Home. These are only highlights of three days of tours and discussions that could be used to enhance the Columbus, GA region.

(L-R) Mike Gaymon, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Stella Shulman, Past Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Russ Carreker, Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce at Billy Bob's.	The Museum of Modern Art

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For more information call 706-596-7006.

The Annual Biddin' on the Banks Auction and Gala is the premier fundraising event for The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the RiverMill Event Centre, 3715 First Avenue. A truly unique dinner will be prepared by renowned Chef Jamie Keating. Jamie Keating is a member of the 2008 United States Culinary Olympic Team and a recent Gold Medalist in the Kochunhunst Austerlung, Erfurt Germany. His is the Executive Chef/Owner of Gourmet Events Catering.

Participants on Inter City Leadership Conference
Follow Up on Key Initiatives from Fort Worth

Carmen Carvezza, Vice Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Chair of the Inter City Leadership Conference, kicked off the meeting Oct. 22 to review the ideas generated from this year's trip to Fort Worth, TX.

Mike Gaymon, President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, talks with Melissa Wilks, Muscogee County Teacher of the Year.

During the meeting they formed committees to explore and develop a plan for the ideas from Fort Worth, TX. The committees include: Homelessness, TIF/TAD, Trinity River Vision, Cultural Arts District, Downtown Revitalization, High School Completion, High School for the Performing Arts, Convention Hotel, Entertainment District, Public Art, City Planning/Urban Villages, Dog Park/Disc Golf.

These committees will begin to take the idea and build it out into a plan to enhance the communities programs and projects. If you are interested in getting involved in one or more of these topics please contact bgordon@columbusgachamber.com.

Even if you have not gone on an Inter City Leadership Conference trip you have seen their impact on the community. The following are only a few examples of projects that came from the Inter City Leadership Conferences:

• The Valley Partnership was formed and patterned after the Carolina's Partnership.
• The City of Columbus purchased four uptown blocks of property after observing the success of the Charlotte effort; a major uptown campus for the nationally-recognized TSYS Company was subsequently located there.
• The state-of-the-art RiverCenter has become a reality in Uptown Columbus.
• Stronger commitment for Uptown development with restaurants, entertainment and retail establishments was secured based on the Greenville model.
• The Civic Center in Columbus is under new management with a new outlook on securing profitable venues such as family ice skating days.
• The BOSS (Business One Stop Shop) was formed in Columbus. It has met with more than 1,000 clients since opening in May 2000.
• The Columbus Civic Center was reorganized with a focus on privatization of services.
• The $50 million public library with full on-line facilities and community meeting rooms was undertaken.
• An uptown Heritage Park commemorating the region's connection to manufacturing was built.
• The Environmental Court was established to address special needs.
• A new appreciation for our existing National Infantry Museum was developed.
• A Columbus Housing Initiative was formed.
• Uptown and riverfront development of over 300 loft apartments took place.
• More general economic development and specific uptown development occurred in Columbus.
• Open dialog regarding an "umbrella organization" effort was opened.
• More focus on our existing Sports Council developed.
• A Community Action Network Plan was established.
• A Hi-Tech Incubator has been formed.
• Columbus successfully competed internationally for a major computer chip manufacturing site although the final decision was made to locate elsewhere due to internal considerations.
• The city formed an Industry Cluster Strategy for future recruitment efforts to target the technology cluster.
• More focus on the Joseph House Art Gallery and other uptown fine arts establishments.
• Active dialog on the Columbus workforce plan.
• A skating park is presently under construction.
• A comprehensive feasibility study of the railroad marshalling yard relocation is underway.
• Branding - "What Progress Has Preserved" - CCVB, City & Chamber.
• Natatorium being considered.
• Incubator for health care reviewed.
• Performing Arts Magnet School established at elementary school.
• Riverfront development is occurring to include residential and retail activities.
• Health Care Committee formed at the Chamber of Commerce.
• Health Care Magnet High School being reviewed and considered.
• Kids in Motion program implemented by the Sports Council.
• $500,000 allocated for City Planning Department.
• TAD & TIF initiatives.
• Bi-State Economic Development organized.
• International Building Codes - Smart Codes - Meetings taking place between city planning department and WC Bradley. First reading of the building codes was passed by the Columbus City Council on 2/20/07.
• Education - TSYS working with School to assist with connectivity.
• Young Professionals program was kicked off in March 2008, has over 190 members.
• Enterprise Village is in the development stages, the school district is supporting the initiative along with CB&T. The committee is working closely with program in Clearwater, FL in the area of curriculum as well as collaborating with Junior Achievement.
• Waste to Energy Facility - Committee formed to research possibility of a unit in Columbus working with city and Water Works entities.
• Public Arts - Committee formed, still in progress.
• Six Sigma/LEAN - Chamber has committee, looking into a city-wide initiative. You can see a story on the first Green Belt class held at Kodak in this newsletter.
• Lego Planning Project - In process of being planned.

Joel Ames, Atmos Energies-Southern Region, talks about the trip to Fort Worth.

An added positive result of the visits has been the establishment of rapport, the building of relationships and the networking opportunities that arise among the participants. Many of them comment every year about the lasting benefits of getting to know other city leaders on a personal basis through the trip. Additionally, the connections established with the host cities has been invaluable as organizations strive to learn from each other and conserve resources. Columbus has built a reputation among many host cities as the model for public/private partnerships where private organizations join hands with governmental entities to accomplish what each group alone cannot accomplish. There is no doubt that there is a direct correlation between the current success and reputation of Columbus and the activities of the Inter-City Leadership Conferences.

The first visit was to Charlotte, NC followed by trips to Greenville, SC, Jacksonville, FL, Memphis, TN, Nashville, TN, Austin, TX, Richmond, VA, Louisville, KY, Kansas City, MO, Indianapolis, ID, San Antonio, TX, St. Louis, MO, Baltimore, MD, Tampa, Fl and Fort Worth, TX. By design, most of the cities chosen are much larger than Columbus so that Columbus leaders stretch our vision and aspirations to become a greater city of the 21st Century.

Several executives - representing MAPFRE's international business divisions - held a meeting Oct. 1 with Sonny Perdue, Governor of the State of Georgia (USA), at the Group's offices in Madrid. The Governor of this south-eastern state is currently in Spain on an official visit to encourage investment in the US market. Governor Perdue will be holding meetings with several transport, infrastructure and financial companies, as well as with representatives of the European institutions. Rafael Senén, Chairman and CEO of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA, and Javier Fernández-Cid, Director and General Manager of MAPFRE INTERNACIONAL, expressed their satisfaction with the meeting and thanked the Governor of Georgia for visiting MAPFRE. Governor Perdue pointed out that "we are honored that MAPFRE chose Georgia for its ROAD AMERICA MOTOR CLUB'S 24-hour roadside assistance call center.

(LR) Javier San Basilio, Manager Analysis and Marketing / MAPFRE Internacional, Dennis Fantis, General Manager of Road America, Becca Harden, Executive Vice President, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Heidi Green, Deputy Commissioner Georgia Department of Economic Development, Rafael Senen, Chairman and CEO of Mapfre Asistencia, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Javier Fernancez-Cid, General Manager / Mapfre Internacional, Ken Stewart, Commissioner Georgia Department of Economic Development and Nikos Antimissaris, General Manager of Mapfre Asistencia.

Georgia workers are known for the kind of great customer service that helps companies like MAPFRE remain industry leaders." MAPFRE began its US operations in 1993 through its Assistance subsidiary. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA currently has two call centers based in Miami (Florida) and Columbus (Georgia) - opened in 2007- run by its companies FEDERAL ASSIST and ROAD AMERICA MOTOR CLUB, through which it provides 24-hour national and international roadside Assistance programs. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA handles over 11 million calls and provides nearly 3 million services each year throughout the country.

MAPFRE Group, which also has Direct Insurance operations in Florida and Puerto Rico, has significantly boosted its activity in this business through the acquisition in June this year of THE COMMERCE GROUP, the leading insurer in the state of Massachusetts in personal non-life insurance. The new company, a subsidiary of MAPFRE INTERNACIONAL, also operates in other further three states - California, New York & Ohio - and has already acquired a license to extend its activities to the rest of the country. The acquisition of THE COMMERCE GROUP was the largest operation in the Group's history and clearly underscores its definitive commitment to the US market.

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$1.5 Million announced at Legislative Express

President and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Mike Gaymon, chatting with Georgia DOT Commissioner Dr. Gena Evans in the Executive Office prior to the Legislative Express Private Briefing.

"Maneuvering Toward a Stronger Region with Transportation," was the theme of the Oct. 30, 2008 Legislative Express at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The regional theme was emphasized with a strong showing of elected officials from both Alabama and Georgia to include senior officials of Georgia and Alabama Departments of Transportation.

Rob Doll of Rob Doll Nissan and Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs, Colin Martin of Winship Clinic, & Greg Allmendinger, Wachovia Area President.

Georgia DOT Commissioner, Dr. Gena Evans, was highly complimentary of the Regional Growth planning process and announced that $1.5 million was coming to the Columbus Consolidated Government for the completion of the entryway to Fort Benning on I-185. Tony Harris brought greetings from the Alabama Director of Transportation, Joe McInnes. McInnes was scheduled to be in attendance but became ill and could not make the trip. Harris also expressed his compliments on the detailed planning process and pledged the continuing support of the Alabama DOT to help accommodate the growth over the next few years.

James McGill, Director Special Projects (Phenix City Russell County Chamber of Commerce), DeJarvis Leonard, Division Engineer

Robinson Paving Company was the presenting sponsor. A host of other sponsors provided the financial support for the event. 

Sam Wellborn, Columbus' representative with Georgia Department of Transportation.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Visits Columbus

The Georgia Department of Economic Development held their board meeting in Columbus at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 14. The day before the meeting, they played golf at Green Island, toured the National Infantry Museum and had dinner at World War II Street.

Russ Carreker, Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce welcomes the Georgia Department of Economic Development Board of Directors to the Chamber.

Russ Carreker, Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce addressed the Board of Directors, "Hopefully you have heard that the Columbus region is known for its public/private partnerships. Almost every successful accomplishment here is the result of this partnership. You will hear about our regional approach including 10 counties due to the growth and development of Fort Benning. I am sure that you all know about our Valley Partnership that is now 12-years old and serves the economic development for six counties, three cities and two states. We have target industries that we focus much of our effort on. So we are working on changing our region by design and not default."

Gary Jones, Senior Vice President of Military Affairs for the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce briefs Georgia Department of Economic Development Board of Directors Nov. 13.

Gary Jones, Senior Vice President of Military Affairs, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce provided the Georgia Department of Economic Development Board of Directors with an update on the growth of Fort Benning and the economic impact the base will have on the region. He also discussed the increase of defense contractors to support the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Billy Blanchard, Chair of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee talks with a Georgia Economic Development board member at the reception at World War II Street.

The Drugs Don't Work Committee wanted to have a promotional logo as a way to raise the level of awareness in Columbus of the Drugs Don't Work program and the importance of becoming a certified Drug Free Workplace. The DDW Committee and the Chamber's DDW coordinators help companies achieve this goal by assisting the companies in completing the required "five steps." These steps are mandated in order to achieve "Drug Free Workplace" status, and receive the 7 ½% discount off their Workers Comp. insurance premiums and many more benefits that affect the companies' bottom line. The DDW Committee made the commitment to Chamber companies and to the general public to raise the awareness of DDW through this promotion and through the annual Drugs Don't Work Symposium to "Educate, Prevent and Implement" on the value of being a DDW partner.

Partners In Education Golf Tournament held Nov. 7

A pretty fall day made the Partners In Education golf tournament an enjoyable afternoon for the participants.

Partners in Education, a program of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, hosted its annual golf tournament on Nov. 7, at Bull Creek Golf Course. Nearly 90 golfers participated in the event and enjoyed a day of fun, good food and great prizes.. Holley Construction Company was the winning team and each of their players was awarded a gift basket valued at more than $100.

Prizes were also awarded to the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin winners. Dick's Sporting Goods provided a generous gift certificate and Auburn University Hotel & Dixon Conference Center granted a night's stay (breakfast included) at their facility.

Holley Construction Company was the winning team.

The team from Cott Beverages, USA, Inc., supported PIE through their participation.

This annual golf tournament is PIE's only fundraiser and we sincerely appreciate those who participated and sponsored the event. In addition to the Chambers' Continuous Sponsors, we want to extend special thanks to Columbus Power and Pratt & Whitney for their generous sponsorships. The PIE program could not be the success it is without the support of businesses and organizations like these.

A great tee shot sets the team up for a good score.

Partners in Education was established in 1987 to partner schools with civic organizations, military units, and churches. These partnerships provide increased educational and enrichment opportunities for students improving levels of achievement, self-esteem, and understanding the expectations of the work world. For more information, contact Dana Whaley at dwhaley@columbusgachamber.com.

Airlines Performance and Fare Analysis- September 2008

Please Note: Prices are subject to change without notice.

Columbus Technical College Director of Community Education and Professional Development Services, Dr. Ellen Harvill, has been named the best of the best for her Work Ready field. During an awards luncheon sponsored by Governor Sonny Perdue and the Governor's Office of Workforce Development on October 29, Dr. Harvill was named the "Administrator of the Year" for the Georgia Work Ready initiative.

Columbus Technical College's Dr. Ellen Harvill receives her Georgia Work Ready "Administrator of the Year Award" from Chairman Mark Musick of the Governor's State Workforce Investment Board.

In her nomination form for Dr. Harvill, the Vice President of Administrative Services for Columbus Technical College, Betty Jackson, wrote: "Ellen actively schedules her Work Ready activities around plant operating schedules, high school block schedules, and college course schedules to ensure that no customer is denied access at the time they need it. Follow-up calls to applicants not achieving gold level are standard practice where she orients that applicant to opportunities available both in the classroom and on-line for skill development training."

Dr. Harvill was humbled by being named Administrator of the Year. She gave much of the credit to her hard-working staff members. "I was thrilled when the Governor's office announced the Georgia Work Ready initiative because my staff and I had been administering work keys for several years," Dr. Harvill said. "We understood the impact this credential could and would have in the state. I have been very fortunate to have a staff who were ready and willing to make this initiative a success in our area."

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said, "Together we are providing richer job opportunities for Georgians and delivering larger dividends to the companies that call our state home. Work Ready demonstrates that Georgia knows what it is going to take to be competitive in the future and we are preparing our workers and companies today."

Georgia's Work Ready initiative is based on a skills assessment, certification and skills gap training for job seekers and a job profiling system for businesses.

Oct. 1, 2008 - Oct. 31, 2008
BOSS had 19 forms returned during this period.

YTD Sept. BOSS has received 116 Client Forms

May 30, 2000- Oct. 31, 2008

BOSS has **seen 1032* clients since its inception.

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