Columbus Chamber of Commerce Reveals 2014 Outlook
Thursday, January 9th, 2014
Michael Gaymon, President of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, took the time to share some insight into the new year with ColumbusCEO. The Chamber will be enhancing their services and spearheading some new initiatives to ensure Columbus remains competitive in the midst of a rapidly evolving business climate — to which point Gaymon quotes Yogi Berra by joking that, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”
One of the biggest boosts in 2014 surrounds continued efforts related to the establishment of a new Medical College of Mercer University, which promises to attract aspiring health care professionals to the Columbus area. This will be the first fully institutionalized medical college in the Columbus community. Gaymon confirms that through the partnership of Mercer, the Chamber, hospitals, the city, state and the Columbus Development Authority, the new facility could become a reality in 2014. “It is a game changing endeavor and has been a long journey to becoming a reality,” Gaymon declared. “But the impact should make the effort a great return on our investment in every measurable way.”
Mr. Gaymon went on next to highlight Business First, a Chamber initiative created to help alleviate the frustrations of local businesses. Through Business First, the Chamber sends out surveys, then follows up with visits and a host of constructive questions to the company leadership. Questions range from, “what expansions do you foresee?” to “what issues block you from hoped-for successes?” From the compiled data the Chamber is able to identify opportunities to match businesses’ needs with available resources and help to resolve issues present and avoid future ones.
“I think there is opportunity for us to grow more in terms of helping entrepreneurs, as the marketplace will certainly keep tipping further in this direction,” Gaymon explains. “The Chamber will increase its focus on enhancing its ability to assist folks with ideas who want to develop patents. We want to make more ideas become reality. We have very few patents currently being issued in our region, and that is certainly one indication of whether our environment promotes new business generation.”
This led Gaymon to discuss the Columbus State University’s technology incubator, which is experiencing an increased focus as of late. Some discussions are underway on how to best determine ways to stimulate and foster the generation and advancement of technology-based firms in the area. Not content to rest upon the laurels of local business successes such as Aflac, Blue Cross Blue Shield and TSYS, the incubator is a unique means to expand the existing technology sector to even greater potential in the Columbus Region.
The Chamber will be featuring more tech-accessibility in its events and resources this year. Workshops and webinars will be available and optimized for home offices, increasing regional connectivity and reducing time and overhead spent in transit for those who choose to plug in. Events including the annual State of Affairs for the City, economic forecasting discussions and seminars for those interested in working with the federal government are among the highlights in 2014.
Gaymon also speculates that the area will be able to branch out in eco-tourism, adventure sports, and retail markets with the new Columbus Whitewater Rapids, completed and opened to the public last year. “Adding stores and restaurants along the river course will be a tremendous opportunity and challenge for us,” Gaymon said. “We’re in this enviable position now to build upon what we started by completing the nation’s longest whitewater course in an urban environment.” Gaymon envisions a host of new national and international festivals and sporting events, and a huge boost in tourism from kayaking novices and devotees alike.
The most important resource to drive these initiatives, according to Gaymon, is the engaged, enlightened leadership the Columbus business community boasts. “Our public-private partnership has made significant differences in our current state,” he said. He added that the Chamber is also enthusiastic about the potential of their Young Professionals Organization, currently more than 625 members strong and representing over 200 companies. “I believe that leadership makes the real difference in whether potential is just talked about or whether it is realized.”
Gaymon concludes by revealing that the biggest push in 2014 in terms of economic development will have to do with the local workforce. He confirms that the Chamber of Commerce is developing an aggressive campaign to boost workforce growth, which involves investigating gaps and filling them by leveraging new initiatives such as internship programs.
“We need to look for the voids and determine where they lie,” he explains. “For instance, are there engineering jobs that we’re having a hard time filling? Are there other fields where we see workforce needs emerging? It will take a lot people working together in the business community to identify exactly what we need to focus on and how, and that’s where the Chamber hopes to coordinate and provide guidance. It will be a major part of what we spend our time on this year.”
