Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.
-Marjorie Moore
Economic development groups all over the country are governed by small, and sometimes not so small, boards of directors that help govern their organizations and steer community efforts to grow and prosper. Serving in this capacity can be personally and professionally rewarding, and at times a heavy responsibility as a community adjusts to economic challenges.
While many leaders joke about turning over the gavel at the end of their term, my experience is that most of them feel a strong appreciation for the work that economic development organizations do each day on behalf of the citizens they serve. The behind-the-scenes insight gained can make the men and women who volunteer better leaders in their own organizations, and expose them to national and international contacts that are not obtainable any other way.
May 8-14 is Economic Development Week, a week to celebrate the organizations, professionals, and volunteer leadership of the hundreds of organizations that move our country forward each day. As an economic development professional of over 20 years, I have been privileged to learn from great volunteers in the organizations that I have worked for, and hundreds more in communities I have served as a regional leader. I never fail to be amazed by the leadership capacity of volunteers who fund, drive and evolve these organizations.
As we pause next week to appreciate the economic development organizations, I would also ask that you reach out to their leadership and thank them for their service. I would like to thank the One Columbus Board of Directors for their advice, counsel and leadership.
-Kenny McDonald
One Columbus Update
Company Announcements
- Congratulations to SportsBrain and Coty who have announced plans that, together, will create 90 new jobs in the Columbus Region. SportsBrain is a healthcare company specializing in concussion management that will establish headquarters in Dublin. Global beauty company Coty will add manufacturing capability to current logistics operations in Etna Township.
Business Travel
- The One Columbus team will embark on a number of business development missions across the U.S. and world this month. Our team will meet with companies and consultants in Southern California, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Italy.
Upcoming Events
- This week, Columbus Startup Week returns for its second year. More than 3,000 attendees and 135 speakers will take part in the sessions designed to educate and empower local entrepreneurs.
- Next week, communities around the world are celebrating the achievements of economic developers as part of IEDC’s Economic Development Week. Learn about those who drive economic development in the Columbus Region and join in the celebration.
- One Columbus is partnering with the Ohio Small Business Development Center and Pilot Freight Services on two events supporting global trade and investment best practices. Join us for Putting It All Together: Export Compliance Systems on May 19 and an International Document Training Seminar on May 26.
- At the end of the month, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide will take place. Founded in 1976 by Jack Nicklaus, the Memorial Tournament has a long legacy as a premier PGA Tour golf tournament that attracts the world’s best golfers to Dublin and the Columbus Region each year.