By JAY POWELL jpowell@c-dh.net

Maury County experienced another year of growth, new milestones and a road ahead full of hope, tourism dollars and a community thats making an increasing mark on the nations map.

The annual Mayors Lunch sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance took place Tuesday with remarks from leaders of all Maury County factions, including County Mayor Charlie Norman, Columbia Mayor Dean Dickey, Mt. Pleasant Mayor Jim Bailey and Spring Hill Vice Mayor Bruce Hull.

Each speaker touched on the past years accomplishments, major investments and new businesses. Norman said Maury County has reached the attention of international investors, with companies like Italy-based Landmark Ceramics in Mt. Pleasant and Columbias Wiremasters, which last month announced plans to open two new facilities in Germany and Mexico.

Its an exciting time to be living in Maury County and my goal and hope is to make Maury County the best place in this state to live, to learn, to work and to raise a family, Norman said. Today the state of Maury County is strong and prosperous as we continue to transform into a competitive global economy. Who would have thought that 10 years ago?

Dickey covered several aspects of Columbias yearly progress, including new businesses, restaurants and residential developments. There has been a 70 percent building increase since last year, he said, totaling $54 million in value.

The city also has embarked on a new marketing plan for tourism and investors following a recent study by Franklin-based marketing firm Chandlerthinks. This included hiring a new city tourism director, Kellye Murphy, and launching a new Columbia tourism web site in the near future. Other plans include opening a visitors center on the lower level of the Jack-n-Jill building located on North Main Street next to Columbia Police Department.

Moving forward into the next year, Columbias priorities lie within growing the citys economy, provide excellent financial service and to make a more attractive and livable city with a vibrant downtown square.

Building renovations currently underway show a vibrant downtown in which private investment and redevelopment are ongoing. Real estate transfers over the last year set a record high for properties in the downtown historic district, Dickey said. The Columbia Arts District is anticipated to continue to experience arts-related residential and commercial growth and prosperity that will eventually be recognized as a destination for residents and visitors alike.

As Mt. Pleasant mayor, Bailey said the town of about 5,000 residents is spending its time reviewing its local policies, refinancing the citys debt, restoring downtown buildings and working to repair the citys sewer lines. He hopes the revitalization efforts will attract more residents and that the town can someday experience the growth as seen in Columbia and Spring Hill, which could be just around the corner.

A lot of good things are happening out in Mt. Pleasant right now. Were revamping a lot of policy, trying to go through everything we have and playing catch up, Bailey said. Mt. Pleasant has some wonderful employees that are doing a great job to hold an insolvent situation together and were really starting to come out of it.

Spring Hill is one of the states fastest growing cities in many aspects. Its many road projects include the widening of Duplex Road and a roadway extension of Saturn Parkway to Beechcroft Road. The city will also begin annexation of Rippavilla Plantation, of which ownership was acquired by the city earlier this year.

Other top projects in Spring Hill include a 24,000-square-foot expansion to the Spring Hill Public Library and designs for a new Spring Hill Police station.

Hull also touched on the citys recently-passed $44.35 million 2017-2018 budget, which he described as a grueling process to balance. He warned that, given the difficulty of this years budget, there will be tough decisions to face with next years, such as a possible property tax increase to help pay for projects the city needs to complete to combat the expected growth. A special census will also be conducted next year in an effort to acquire more state-shared dollars awarded to cities based on population.

With anything, such as our companies, governments, churches, whatever it is, the budget drives it all, Hull said. Were at a point where were going to have to address our property tax in Spring Hill. Weve already addressed impact fees by hitting up developers, and do it all the time, and make the developers pay for it. We all have to share in the process.

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Mayor's Lunch highlights county progress, future - Columbia Daily Herald