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On the
banks of the Chattahoochee River is a Region:
- that is inventing the
model on how to flourish through public-private partnerships.
- that places equal importance
on building community relationships and promoting technology
for growth.
- whose residents have traditional,
hard-working values with a progressive outlook.
- that has an abundant supply
of water, gas and reliable electrical power.
- that offers Southern hospitality,
which has influenced so many people, from all over the
country and the world, to call this Region home.
- that motivates people to
give back to the regional community.
- that has a daily mean
temperature of 50 degrees from January to March, so outdoor
activities can be enjoyed year-round.
Public-private partnerships in this Region have resulted
in:
- more than $100 million
raised for cultural arts during the Columbus Challenge
Project, which included: the RiverCenter for the Performing
Arts, The Columbus Museum, Coca-Cola Space Science Center,
Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Historic Columbus Foundation,
Liberty Theatre, Springer Opera House, and the Port Columbus
Civil War Naval Museum.
- more than $169 million
raised in 1993 in the first one-cent sales tax campaign
which was used for the Combined Sewer Overflow project,
the 14-mile Riverwalk, the new Public Safety Complex,
creating sidewalks near schools, parks and recreation
projects, a 10,000-seat Civic Center and helped Columbus
become an Olympic Host City in 1996 with the creation
of the South Commons Sports Complex.
- a second one-cent sales
tax passed in 1997 for Education which provided $175 million
to build 10 new schools and renovate, modify, or add to
42 existing schools.
- a third one-cent sales
tax initiative was passed by the community in 1999 to
build six new fire stations, one new EMS station and equipment,
a new citizens’ service center, roads, streets and bridges,
flood control, recreation, economic development, tourism,
environmental protection, and a new public library for
a total of $255.5 million.
This Region recognizes
the power of public-private partnerships, for instance:
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photo credit:
Jim Cawthorne, Camera 1 |
a new $50 million information communication center/public library opened January 2006. This project represents a partnership of the citizens who voted for a one-cent sales tax, the Muscogee County School District that will manage it and the private donations that will support the operation of the facility.- the Valley Partnership
Joint Development Authority is an economic development
partnership of two cities and six counties and their governing
bodies formed to create a pro-business atmosphere for
economic growth.
- the RiverCenter for the
Performing Arts was created through the joint efforts
of the Columbus Consolidated Government, the University
System of Georgia, Columbus State University, the Governor’s
office and area citizens who raised more than $100 million
for the arts.
- the public-private partnership
that worked together to solve the Combined Sewer Overflow
included the Columbus Water Works, the Riverfront Development
Committee of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
and the Columbus Consolidated Government. The outcome
of this project was the recreational 14-mile Riverwalk
that is enjoyed by all.
Quality of life is much
more than a community or a Region, it’s a sense of belonging
and a feeling:
- of security in the workplace,
on the streets, at school and in our homes.
- of promoting values and
caring for the people who live and work in this community,
such as “Servant Leadership,” a concept advocated by area
business leaders.
- of courtesy and friendliness,
as people wave and greet each other, while honking horns
are almost unheard of.
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