2014 Economic Development Luncheon recognizes local companies

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - An economic plan bringing money and new jobs to the city of Columbus was a hot topic for local business leaders and city officials at the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Luncheon.

The group celebrated the city's economic development successes and revealed a plan to set the stage up for the future.

"Columbus like any other community across the county went through some pretty difficult and while were certainly not where we need to be with economic developments were moving forward trying to attract new investments each and every day," says Bill Murphy, Executive Vice President for Economic Development.

Two companies were recognized at the luncheon this year for their investments in our region: Kodak for investing over $10,000,000 with a promise of hiring 30 new employees over the next three years, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia investing around $62,000,000 from their new facility.

The Chamber of Commerce says $100,000,000 of investments were committed from different industries in Columbus this year including healthcare, aerospace, automotive, tourism, Fort Benning, and technology.

Guest speaker J Mac Holladay brought a new reality for the future of our region.

"Things are going to change, that we have to concentrate on the quality of the workforce so talent and young people in schools is a vital part of any strategy now," Holladay said. "We have to continue to work on the place that's not just Columbus itself, that's Phenix City and the other places in the region and Harris County and so forth."

Holladay adds this plan will help the city's leadership come together with the people in the community.

Copyright 2014 WTVM. All rights reserved.