During the three months I have been the managing editor I have noticed something that I am welcoming discussion about.
Disclaimer: This had nothing to do with the upcoming runoff or general elections or any candidates. I have been to the board of supervisors meetings, board of aldermen meetings and have spoken with several people about Columbia and Marion County, and I believe our officials as well as the candidates really do have the best interest of our little corner of the world.
What I have noticed though is Columbia and Marion County appears stuck in a vicious cycle of spinning its wheels. Everyone wants our community to thrive, but it appears that little progress is being made.
Our population is decreasing; while some businesses are opening others are closing; our property values are decreasing. No new industries are coming in so people are leaving looking for work. The drug problem is rampant, not because of lack of law enforcement but because of the widespread problem of addictions. Of course everyone is complaining about the shape of our roadways.
The question is what is it going to take to break the cycle so Marion County and Columbia can grow and thrive? I know the Experience Columbia Christmas last year and the three percent sales tax increase for restaurants and hotels to increase tourism are great ideas. Building the SportsPlex is exciting, and planned events such as The Wall that Heals and Experience Columbia Christmas this year will definitely draw people here but for how long? Just for one day or one season?
It is great that we have people coming in for these events, but what can we do to get people to stay? What can we do to get people to buy houses and make Marion County their home? What can we do to get businesses to open and industries to come to the county? What can be done to increase the property valuation?
This is where I open the floor for discussion. I know all parties are working hard, including the Marion County Development Partnership, Board of Supervisors, the mayor, the Board of Aldermen, Main Street Columbia, Experience Columbia and others. Everyone wants things to change for the better.
Realistically let’s think about it. Jackson, Gulfport and New Orleans are all only two or so hours away. Hattiesburg is 30 minutes away. We are not so isolated that it would take a big deal to get to us. This area is full of history, and we are right on the Pearl River. So what is the problem and how can the problem be solved?
I am at a loss; I don’t know how to turn the situation around though I do know I want to. People say they would love for this business or that restaurant to come to Columbia; the problem is there is not enough people here at the moment to support it. Let’s face it when it comes to restaurants, some are only open a few days a week; it is not even viable for them to be open every day.
A shift in the tide is trying to create that change. Our downtown has been going under a facelift these past couple of years. I do believe there is hope. What if we did more of our shopping and eating in Columbia instead of traveling to Hattiesburg or elsewhere? Maybe if we, the people of Marion County, would support our local businesses more then maybe it will allow room for us to grow.
Who knows but maybe if we support what we already have here in this county our sales numbers will increase and if prospective businesses see more money is being spent in the county, they might realize there is something special about this place. If more businesses and industries come people may start moving in, which will make our property values increase. If property values increase so will the revenue of the county. Increase in the revenue means more money for roads and schools.
Who knows maybe we, the people of Marion County, just might hold the key to break the cycle.
Reach Managing Editor Susan Amundson at samundson@columbianprogress.com.
