Guest column: Augusta-Richmond County is a blank canvas, ready to create

By Odie Donald II
Augusta-Richmond County Administrator

Published March 14, 2021 on augustachronicle.com

As I approach the completion of my first 100 days as administrator for Augusta-Richmond County, I am even more optimistic than I was prior to joining Team Augusta.

Augusta is a blank canvas, primed and ready to become Georgia’s greatest masterpiece, eagerly awaiting elected and appointed leaders to work in concert with our public to chart what’s next for the state’s second-largest city.

As members of this community, we are collectively charged with forging Augusta’s path forward – especially as we recover from the global pandemic and the economic hardship it has wrought here in our state and across the country. Although this charge can be daunting, the more I learn about this community, our leaders and our residents, I am confident that we are poised to take full advantage of the many opportunities that will ensure Augusta reaches its full potential.

Currently, I believe there are three distinct opportunities that deserve our immediate attention:

1) Everything starts with a plan. There is no better way to craft a vision beneficial to the diverse stakeholders of Augusta than to collaborate with and hear directly from them. Nothing is more representative of public sector collaboration than a comprehensive planning process that invites all facets of government, community stakeholders, business owners and most important – residents. The development of a clear and citizen-driven strategic plan allows us to not only capture our hopes and dreams for Augusta, but define clear deliverables and metrics so that we can track our progress along the way.

2) With a plan in place, we can make strategic investments for economic development. To spur quality growth, we need to take an inventory of vacant and blighted properties; identify a process for utilizing government-owned surplus property; leverage new and existing SPLOST funds and incoming federal recovery dollars; and explore opportunities to partner with private investors. The city can also have a more meaningful relationship with our development authorities, working together to deliver more services and stronger incentives, so that development comes looking for us – not just the other way around.

To ensure that everyone benefits from more development, we will establish a stronger small business office to support subcontractors and connect them to potential opportunities. This will ensure that local entrepreneurs are seated firmly at the table on upcoming projects, like the proposed James Brown Arena, South Augusta water park, 5th Street Corridor and others.

Growth is coming to our region. To prepare for it, we must fully leverage our geographic advantages. Waterways are excellent tools for growth and development, and our location makes us an attractive destination from the capital of South Carolina, the Georgia coast, and the world’s busiest airport – all within a three-hour drive.

By adding tools to our economic development toolbox, implementing recruitment strategies, and training and developing our workforce, we can bring high quality investment to Augusta.

3) Finally, we will get back to the basics and improve services for the residents of Augusta-Richmond County. It’s time to revamp Augusta 311, making it the central hub of customer service for all non-emergency requests and information in Richmond County with a 24-hour service that connects residents and business owners to all the government’s offerings. To control quality, we will create a service scorecard to ensure that local leaders increase access to and deliver transparency within government.

Augusta is equipped with all the necessary assets to make us one of the most important communities in the state and soon the nation. Now we have to act like we know it and make the most of these assets. Together with our dynamic elected leaders and community stakeholders, we are ready to turn this blank canvas into a masterpiece. Won’t you join us?

The writer is administrator for Augusta-Richmond County. He was previously the city manager of the city of South Fulton.