A state honor: Columbus named Indiana Chamber’s ‘Community of the Year’

For the second time in 30 years, Columbus is receiving a statewide honor for its culture and achievements.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce named Columbus its 2022 Community of the Year, with Cummins, Inc. as a title sponsor. Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar made the announcement Monday afternoon at Columbus City Hall, with city officials and community leaders gathered to celebrate the news.

Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop told attendees that the award is a reminder that, “What we call ‘the Columbus Way’ really works.”

“We tell ourselves we want to be the best community of our size in the country,” he said. “And that infers a community where a lot of life works well, a community that grows, a community that offers cultural and economic opportunities, a community where people want to live.”

The Indiana Chamber says the Community of the Year award honors “a deserving Hoosier community for significant contributions to its local business climate and overall image during the past year.”

Columbus will be recognized at the chamber’s 33rd Annual Awards Dinner on Nov. 16 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The chamber will also celebrate its 100th anniversary during the event.

Brinegar said Columbus stood out because of its efforts to create quality of place, success with attracting diverse talent and a “thriving economy.”

“The family connection had nothing to do with it,” he said with a laugh, in reference to his younger brother, city official Jamie Brinegar.

This is the second time Columbus has received the award — it was also named Community of the Year in 1992.

“We’ve had our eye on Columbus for a long time,” said Brinegar. “And obviously, it’s been a long, long time since the community was recognized. And we just felt like it was more than time to lift the city up again.”

The chamber said Columbus was chosen by a five-person Indiana Chamber panel after a thorough review of other nominated cities.

Cummins, Inc signed on to be the award’s title sponsor a week before the public announcement, as the company had learned of Columbus’ recognition and wanted to show support for its home of more than 100 years.

The Indiana Chamber’s award announcement highlighted local projects such as NexusPark, Columbus Propeller and the planned hotel conference center for downtown. It also cited the area’s “robust business climate, philanthropic spirit, exceptional workforce and quality of life opportunities,” as well as its “magnificent architecture,” diversity and thriving manufacturing industry.

“What makes Columbus so special is that it possesses the rural feel of a small, Midwestern community along with the talent, innovation and culture typically found in a large city,” said Brinegar. “That mix is simply dynamite. Indiana Chamber is delighted to acknowledge the employers, the individuals here in Columbus who are driving progress and positively impacting lives.”

Following Brinegar’s address, local officials took some time to recognize organizations and individuals that have contributed to the community, as well as past and present initiatives to improve the area. The award, said Lienhoop, belongs to everyone and is “truly community-earned.”

“Our schools, our health care system, our habit of philanthropy, our efforts to preserve our built environment while addressing the human needs of those struggling with addiction and poverty … all point to the first step in building the best community of its size in the country,” he said. “Now, I realize that today’s award doesn’t go that far. We’re not done. But an event like this allows us to pause for a moment and take stock of where we are and to accept the pat on the back for a job well underway.”