Economic Development
The most important responsibility of The Greater Columbus, Georgia Chamber of Commerce is economic development. Creating, nurturing and sustaining the economic vitality of our region lies at the very heart of everything we do. We’ve been championing local business for over 165 years. And in that time, we’ve established long and enduring relationships with the merchants and the city fathers, the military ranks and industry leaders, the students and the teachers, the people and the businesses that make Columbus — Columbus.
We invite you to join us in this journey. Together, we will continue to make our region one of the most attractive choices to live and work in all of Georgia. A united effort. A commitment from each of us to all of us. After all, we are your Chamber. Because the Chamber is YOU!
1. New Business Recruiting, Don Naciuk @ NCR
Having been a target of the Chamber, I can attest to the thoroughness and passion they bring to the recruiting process. No detail was overlooked and every problem, every issue was handled promptly and professionally. The actions and performance of the Chamber confirmed that our move to Columbus was the right decision for us.strong>
The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce is continually reaching out to prospective businesses looking for a base of operations. For two years in a row, we have received Georgia’s top award for economic development…”the DEAL OF THE YEAR”. One of our biggest selling points is the pride we feel for our city for all the things that make us unique. Columbus has so much to offer and it’s our job, our privilege really, to share those many distinctions in hopes of inviting others to join us.
Taking care of existing business is always a top priority. In Georgia, the majority of new jobs and capital investment come from the businesses that already have a presence . The Columbus Region is home to several of the world’s most successful businesses, from Aflac, Kodak , KIA, and NCR to TSYS, Synovus, and the WC Bradley Company, so the proven credentials we have as a robust economic environment are known to the prospects before we even start the pitch.
It is the intangibles, these little points of pride, the CAN DO ATTITUDE that sell companies on moving to the region: small town charm with a big city soul, an infrastructure that promotes growth, a trade area of over 570,000 residents, all in all, an ideal place to ply a trade and raise a family. As the Columbus region’s lead sales team, we know our region intimately, we believe in its potential. And we go about convincing others all over the world of that everyday.
2. Capital Investment (Valley Partnership), Alfred Blackmar @ Aflac
The Chamber of Commerce is vital to Aflac as we continue to spread our wings right here in Columbus. They always bring a “can-do” attitude to the table and find a way to get things done, like creatively assembling acreage continguous to Aflac’s Paul S. Amos camp that Aflac can continue to grow and provide thousands of jobs right here in Columbus.strong>
Finishing second in the world of economic development gets no rewards. Ensuring that the local, state and in some cases federal incentives are in place so that the Columbus region finishes on top is a tremendous challenge. New capital investment from existing or new businesses fuel the economic engine that drives our economy.
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The Columbus Chamber of Commerce created the Valley Partnership over 16 years ago to be the regional economic development recruitment arm for the region. It now consists of 7 counties, 2 cities and 2 states, one of the largest in the Southeast..
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3. Job Creation, Thomas Bode @ Pratt & Whitney
From investing in innovation and entrepreneurship to streamlining our permitting process, the Columbus Chamber’s thoughtful, comprehensive approach to improving the business climate, supporting job growth, and business expansion was a key factor in our decision to expand plant operations here in Columbus. The Chamber’s ‘pro-business’ attitude helped pave the way.
To create an environment of economic development sufficient to promoting business growth, a skilled, trained talent workforce is essential. The Chamber has a whole department devoted to talent/workforce issues.
They have been navigating a successful course for decades of a PRO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT and have a special understanding of what it takes to create jobs and foster growth. From manufacturing jobs to building infrastructure, merchant opportunities to business training, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce knows how to identify opportunities and capitalize on them.
4. Research, Jane Nichols @ Goodwill
Goodwill Industries doesn’t rely on grants or public contributions. We’re entirely self-funding generated by the sale of donated goods and materials. With the Chamber’s direction, resources, and connections, we’ve been able to identify new sources and contacts that have helped us grow from $3.8 million in revenues and 19 people to $19 million in revenue and 2,200 people over the past 10 years. If they don’t have the information we need on hand, they’ve always been able to find the information we need.
This generation has seen our region grow from sleepy little river towns on the banks of the Chattahoochee into one of the fastest growing business centers in the southeast. This accelerated growth and latent potential has affected all aspects of our region, from census numbers to a dramatic increase in the average per capita annual income. In short, the Columbus of today is largely unrecognizable from the Columbus of the recent past.p>
We understand how important it is for your business to have access to the hard numbers and solid facts for the decisions that need to be made. We also understand that it’s difficult to set aside time to research these things when you’re concentrating on day-to-day survivability. A Chamber membership can be your best resource for information, data, research, statistics, and business insights on the local economy. For over 165 years, we’ve had a finger on the pulse of progress here in the Columbus region, and with that experience comes a deep knowledge of what makes our region tick.
Columbus, Georgia. Join Us. All Rights Reserved.
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