Last night’s convocation of those interested in the Economic Development Strategic Plan for Columbia’s future consisted of a gathering of the representatives of organizations and entities which gathered a few years ago to “Restore Columbia as a thriving and vibrant community by implementing an economic growth strategy focused upon the downtown business and historic districts and the riverfront. The interaction and melding of these cornerstones that comprise the community’s core economic footprint will enrich the lives of our residents and provide a unique and valuable experience to those who visit.”

Borough councilor Renae Sears chaired the meeting, though many of those who were identified when the Plan was begun several years ago  – the organizations and people are listed on page two of the Plan – were not at last night’s update meeting. The entire borough council, the mayor and the borough manager attended. Others in attendance, according to the initial list of represented agencies, included the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board; the Community Life Network; the Historic Architectural Review Board; the Lancaster County Planning Commission; the Old Columbia Public Grounds and the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Historic Columbia Market House Trust attended the meeting. Though not represented in the original group, the Trust board, consisting of Ed Schoff, Elaine Beckley, Don Haines and Rebecca Murphy,  attended in part because of the significance the Market House holds in community development. On page 26 of the report, it states: “The Market House is and has been the centerpiece for all activities in the Downtown Business District.”

One purpose of this quarterly update meeting is for representatives to provide updates to their assigned “action items.” The action items were identified in the Plan beginning on page 43. Borough Manager, Norman B. Meiskey, III, handed copies of the “Status of Borough Lead Action Items” to everyone in attendance. Each of the entities and organizations initially identified have stated “action items” – none of these provided written updates.

Jeff Seibert, representative for the Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), introduced Janice Nikoloff as the entity’s newly hired executive director.

Seibert also announced that the Mifflin Press building at 323 Locust Street has been listed for sale at $140,000.

He also introduced a concept to introduce holiday lighting for the downtown area along Locust and Third Streets. The concept involves business investment to buy lighting that will enhance and unify downtown Columbia. There was discussion about the concept and more diligence will be done.

Two other suggestions were introduced to the body of representatives for discussion. One involves having a “Columbia-wide Yard Sale.” This idea would promote Columbia as a destination for “yard-sale devotees.” Someone suggested that Mountville and Hellam already do something like this.

Another suggestion, perhaps somewhat “tongue-in-cheek”, was to have signage on Route 30 that says “Columbia – capitol of the United States – runner-up.”  [Read more about “How Pennsylvania lost its chance to have the nation’s capital” here.]

Very few private citizens, fewer than two, attended the meeting which lasted about an hour and thirty-five minutes. The next meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

According the the Plan, “Funding for this planning effort was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).”