Despite Economy, Growth Continues in Columbia County

You don’t have to look long to find progress in Columbia County.

Jane Bonner, Evans Georgia: “There are so many things within Evans that’s right here for you and it’s a good place.”

Some folks say the county offers everything they need.

David Garfield: “I think Columbia County; since I’ve been living here I can get around the whole community without getting on the highway.  I don’t need to get on I-20. I still get around town go shopping, go to the movies.“

Renita Crawford, reporting: “So everything you need is right here?“

David Garfield: “It’s right here.“

At the intersection of Washington Road and North Belair Road, a Walgreens is going up, a Food Lion is close to opening, and two new restaurants are being built. Just down the road, at Lewiston Road and I-20, work is underway to build a Wal-Mart.

Steve Johnson, Assistant to the County Administrator:  “A lot of the construction that’s going on now was planned before this economic downturn really hit hard.  So some of this construction was already financed, it was already bid out.”

Johnson says the county is constantly looking for ways to save money or improve services.  He says fiscally sound decisions have kept the county with a balanced budget and no cuts in services.

Johnson:  “I think what it really equates to is a quality of life.  People want a certain quality of life and they’re drawn to that.  And where you have people drawn to that quality of life whether it is the school system or government, housing or whatever, industry tends to follow that.