Columbus and Lowndes County may be a vision of things to come in Guntersville, Ala., several representatives from the northeastern Alabama city said Wednesday.
Local business owners, government and economic development officials Tuesday and Wednesday played host to a group of about 50 visitors from the Alabama city known for its bald eagle habitats and lakefront resorts.
During the visit, Guntersville officials toured the county’s industrial park, the Columbus Riverwalk, downtown Columbus loft apartments, and several other area offerings.
And although the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce initiated the visit to the Friendly City a few months ago to “learn how (Lowndes County) did it,” Columbus and Guntersville officials agreed the experience was informative for all involved.
“You heard about where our city is headed, and it’s something Columbus has already achieved,” said Ben Hulgan, vice president of the Marshall County, Ala., Chamber of Commerce. “It’s good for all of us to come here and look at a place that has already done what we are looking to do.”
Guntersville, like Columbus, is located along the shores of a body of water, contains a historic downtown sector and is looking to recruit major industries in or near its city limits, explained Guntersville Mayor Robert Hembree.
“We have a great community, a great chamber of commerce and I think our excellent teamwork really makes our city unique,” Hembree said of his city of about 8,500. “We have learned a tremendous amount here today.
“There is so much more we can do to better our community, and this visit has helped with our vision,” Hembree added. “We are proud to be with you today, and I think this community and ours will both be better because of it.”
Although Columbus and Guntersville share many aspects, Columbus “may be a little ahead” of the Alabama city in downtown development and economic strength, Hembree said.
Guntersville officials are looking for ways to bring residents and businesses to the city’s historic downtown area, and are striving to draw large manufacturers to the county’s industrial park, the mayor explained.
“We just want to look at the positives and mistakes of what you have done and learn from them as we move forward,” Hembree said.
“But I actually haven’t seen any mistakes at all with what you’ve done here,” Hembree laughed. “I just can’t say enough about Columbus. You bill yourselves as the Friendly City, and I can guarantee you live up to that name.”
Jim Peterson, Guntersville police chief and a former member of the Guntersville City Council, agreed with Hembree, saying he hoped Guntersville’s downtown one day would resemble Columbus’.
“We are going through some of the same steps now that Columbus went through to revive its downtown,” Peterson said, after touring a loft apartment above Holly Hocks gift shop on Fifth Street South. “I think it helps us to know how to foster this kind of growth in our own downtown.
“I am very impressed with Columbus,” Peterson added. “I am especially impressed with the public and private aspect of it. Everyone here seems to work together to get things done.”
Even though Guntersville officials said they viewed Columbus as a blueprint for their city, Columbus-Lowndes Development Link officials were quick to point out the visit was mutually beneficial.
“It’s always a two-way street with these kinds of things,” said Link Vice President Melissa Cook. “Talking with everyone from Guntersville has been very positive for Columbus as well.”
“Today is not just about what Guntersville can learn from us,” Link Chief Executive Officer Joe Higgins said after speaking to the group during a lunch break at the Columbus Country Club. “This is the best of both worlds because we can steal ideas from each other. You have already taught us some things. We just hope we can give you something to take back as well.”
Neal Wagner is a Staff Reporter for The Commercial Dispatch.
