The most significant results of Senator Walker's leadership summit in Atlanta earlier this month is the fact that Augusta leaders were talking with each other. A face-to-face meeting of community leaders actually talking to each other is one good step, but only a single step.

   Prior to the start of the meeting, Governor Barnes visited with the group to offer his words of encouragement. He mentioned the progress that Columbus, Georgia, had made in recent years because of leadership meetings such as Senator Walker had convened that day.

   My career in economic development spans more than thirty years. Most of that time was spent in two dynamic, progressive communities. One community is Columbus, Georgia, and the other was is a multi-county suburb of Cincinnati with the nondescript name of Northern Kentucky. Two totally different communities in so many ways but identical in one very important aspect -- both communities have prospered well during the current economic boom because the leadership worked together under a shared vision.

Augusta has vision. In fact, money has been spent to develop visions for Augusta. Plans have been drawn that would return Augusta to its role as the leading community in the state. The City of Augusta-Richmond County has a vision. The Chamber of Commerce paid for a visioning process. Augusta Tomorrow has a master plan. The Medical College of Georgia is working on its vision. There are many other organizations that have visions and plans for Augusta. But, there is little in the way of a "shared" vision for Augusta.

The shared visions that Columbus and Northern Kentucky have prospered under are not tangible documents. Their shared visions are simply two words -- economic development. Prosperity for all citizens and businesses. Every decision made and every new program initiated by the civic and business leaders of these communities begins with the question "How will or can this affect the economic development potential (the economic prosperity) of our community?". Their decisions and programs benefit the community as a whole.

   More importantly, their vision is shared. It is a common vision and a starting point for the community as a whole. Elected, appointed and volunteer leaders alike understand the vision of economic development. They work together towards economic prosperity for all.

   Augusta could have a similar, shared vision, one that would lift us from this self-inflicted malaise that is holding us back. We have taken the first step towards such a vision -- by just talking with each other.

James F. West, Jr. CED
President and CEO
Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce