The Columbus City Council met this morning in a special meeting to discuss economic development, retail development and regional economic development.
The council called the special meeting at City Hall to question Joe Higgins, CEO of the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, about the issues.
Ward 3 City Councilman Charlie Box was especially concerned about retail development.
Higgins cited the recent addition of Zaxby’s restaurant, TJ Maxx and Tractor Supply Co. in Columbus as examples of growth in the retail arena.
Compared to cities similar in size to Columbus, the city is doing well in attracting retail, Higgins noted.
During the meeting, the council briefly touched on industrial development, bemoaning the exodus of residents from the city of Columbus to Lowndes County.
The council also got details from Higgins about the recent addition of West Point and Clay County to the Link’s business and industry recruiting efforts.
Last month, the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link entered into an agreement with West Point and Clay County to help in recruiting business and industry there.
The West Point-Clay County Growth Alliance will pay the Link $350,000 annually to have representation on the Link board and one person working solely for West Point and Clay County. The contract is for three years, and The Growth Alliance will remain active as the area’s chamber of commerce and will continue to operate the community’s Main Street program.
Since its inception in 2003, the Link has helped Lowndes County attract nearly $4 billion in facilities and more than 6,500 jobs.
In its regular meeting at 5 p.m. today at the Columbus Municipal Complex, the City Council has various board appointments to consider.
Clyde McElrath resigned his term on the Municipal Election Commission effective Dec. 27. Keith Worshaim and Karon Davis have applied for the position. It is a four-year term.
Darren Leach’s term on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals expired Feb. 1. He has reapplied for the position. Wythe Rhett and Phillip Long’s terms on the City Planning Commission expired Feb. 1. They have reapplied for their seats, which are three-year terms.
And Bruce Hanson’s term on the Columbus Municipal School District board of trustees expires March 2. The council has not received applications for the post, which can appointed March 20. It is a five-year term. Hanson said he plans to reapply for the seat.
Also on the agenda are community members Kamal Karriem, Sam Sanderson and Greg Lewis.
Karriem is slated to speak on the Re-Entry Ready For Work Program. Sanderson will speak on behalf of the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society. Lewis will talk to the council about General Russel Honoré LLC, a program that provides motivational speeches, seminars and access to disaster preparedness planning.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré led Task Force Katrina after the 2005 hurricane devastated the Gulf Coast. Honoré is currently a senior scientist with The Gallup Organization, according to generalhonore.com.
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