Seasonal boost for area economy
Fort Benning, as noted Tuesday, might be downsizing along with the most of the U.S. armed services. But warm weather recreation and tourism activity in the Columbus area, from all indications, is headed in the opposite direction.
As business writer Tony Adams reported last weekend, the signs are more than promising for a spring-summer season that will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, and millions of dollars in economic impact, to this city and region.
Already this year we’ve hosted state gatherings of actors and cheerleaders, events Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau President Peter Bowden said drew some 8,000 people and generated about $2 million. And those were back in February.
Rising temperatures will bring people to the Chattahoochee whitewater and zip-line courses, which last year saw about 30,000 and 15,000 customers, respectively, and will likely serve more this year. Whitewater Express owner Dan Gilbert said Riverfest in May will be “kind of the kickoff of summer for us,” with a target of 35,000 rafters this year.
And of course, the world-class National Infantry Museum continues to be a national attraction, and visitors who come to see family members at Fort Benning spread the word about this extraordinary place. The National Civil War Naval Museum, the Columbus Museum, the Space Science Center and Oxbow Meadows are just a few of our other special offerings.
Among the events already on the calendar for this spring and summer are sports tournaments in softball, soccer, tennis and archery, the state Odyssey of the Mind tournament and two religious conventions.
Those are just some of the attractions and events right here in town. There’s so much more just a short drive away.
If you know folks who haven’t been to Columbus in a few years and are looking for something to do, get the word out. They might not recognize the place.
Developing minds
The reality that children who fall behind during the first few grades of school sometimes never catch up is all too familiar. Those critical early years of childhood cognitive development can make all the difference.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), through its Bright from the Start program, is offering a six-week summer transition program for children about to enter kindergarten who did not attend Georgia pre-K, or who need additional preparation. It is offered to children of families eligible for subsidized state child care.
“The goal of Georgia’s Pre-K Program is to prepare four year olds to successfully enter kindergarten,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, “but some students either miss that opportunity or need additional help … Dedicated Pre-K teachers and providers make this program successful, and we appreciate their willingness to participate again this summer.”
Sites where the program will be offered will be announced in late April. When programs are posted, eligible parents can register their children at www.decal.ga.gov.
This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Seasonal boost for area economy."