Page 14 - Columbus NCG 2019

If you want to do something for the right is an underlying element of appreciation What’s your favorite
Q:
reasons and people are behind you – you and cooperation amongst everyone in this thing about the Greater
can do it. There’s a sense of community and community to help innovation succeed. Columbus Region
sense of ability to bring about change… you That is something that has historically
A: That’s tough. I choose to be in Columbus.
don’t see this as much in a larger city. been in Columbus…that stems from an
I chose to move back to Columbus (in 2002
Ultimately, it’s not what’s in the water, it’s environment where innovation is celebrated,
after attending University of Colorado,
what’s in the people. If we want to do it, we and I think what we’ve seen in the past
Boulder). And I choose to continue to stay
can. If the time is right and the cause is right, decade is that it is growing even more. here because of the opportunities that exist
we’ll roll up our sleeves and we will And that is a testament, I believe, to the
within the community to build relationships
do it – together. community that is Columbus. Why are we and show positive movement and change.
such an innovative community? It’s because It’s an interesting town, with interesting
Q: How does the size of the our leadership truly does embrace the people. It has a great history and a lot of
Greater Columbus area younger generations and they want to help things to do…as simple as, me waking up
factor into the ability to them. And they do. Couple this with the
bring about change? incredible public-private partnership we in the morning and taking my pup, Daisy,
for a stroll on the RiverWalk…then grabbing
A: Columbus is not a small town, it’s not a have in this community and all walks of life lunch somewhere in Uptown. And then
big town, it’s the perfect size in between. In can grow. They just have to raise their hand hopping in my kayak and going whitewater
Columbus, I – or anyone – can have an idea, or ask the question “how”. kayaking. And then culminating the day with
take it to the right people, garner support, dinner with friends in Uptown. There’s so
implement change, and they can positively Q: What is the mission of The much to do and it’s all in our backyard here.
impact people or the community in days, Cotton Companies? So, my favorite thing to do? Is to experience
weeks or months. Not years, not decades, A: At The Cotton Companies, we everything Columbus has to offer.
like some larger cities. You can do it in a fundamentally believe that community can ~by Andrew Smith & Bonnie Hunter
reasonable time frame. Columbus is small be changed through the built environment.
enough where you can effectuate change, People experience life on a daily basis through
but big enough to see the impact made. the buildings and the parks and the trees
around them. If done correctly, I believe that
Q: What drives the community can be enhanced because of that.
innovation and culture And I think our pioneer project, which was the
in Columbus? transformation of two dilapidated buildings at

A: Going through Columbus’ history you 1230 and 1232 Broadway, is a great case study
will see marked moments of innovation to that – as is the median pocket park that sits
fueled by…locals and transplants. There out front of those two buildings.

10 Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce | www.columbusgachamber.com | 706.327.1566