Columbia, PA - Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence

Tough economic times are bringing out the best in some of Pennsylvania's communities. Today, we honor local governments for proving that with innovative ideas, their development projects will not just survive, but thrive.

Colombia Borough is proof that creative thinking can keep a project thriving in rough times. Last year, they had a dilemma. Their riverfront was lacking in public access for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. Fortunately, the people of Columbia Borough also had a solution.

During times of economic uncertainty, many governments would put a recreational development project on the back burner in favor of economic recovery. But with some creative thinking, recreational development can stimulate an economy.

The first thing Columbia Borough needed? A vision. Elected officials and local volunteers came together to brainstorm ways to develop their waterfront and to procure funding. Their solution was to connect the riverfront's recreational assets with downtown commercial enterprises.

"It's going to do wonders for the economy downtown," says Mayor Leo Lutz. "A few local businesses are already springing up, for instance a canoe and kayak shop is opening."

The support came in waves. More than 20 state and local agencies became involved in the project, with a mission to turn the downtown riverfront into a tourist attraction. Their combined efforts resulted in an expansion of the boating facilities, walkways, a kayak launching area, picnic tables, and pedestrian access to the Susquehanna River.

"There have been lots of exciting changes at the riverfront. And you'll see plenty more coming down the road," says Lutz.

Today, things are looking greener for the environment as well as the economy. Columbia Borough officials' hard work has brought about some eco-friendly side effects. They've preserved open space, revitalized a community resource, and provided increased opportunities for non-motorized transportation.

Their plans include the development of a 14-mile trail that will link the downtown areas of Marietta, Columbia, and Wrightsville.

After revitalizing a community cornerstone and reinvigorating a local economy, what's left to do? Celebrate. In recognition of their extraordinary efforts, Colombia Borough was awarded the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence on Local Government Day, April 15.

This annual award is given to local governments who find creative ways to promote change in their communities.

2010 award categories and winners include:

Building Community Partnerships
Scottdate Borough, Mt. Pleasant Borough and East Huntingdon Township

Promoting Community and Economic Revitalization
Columbia Borough

Innovative Community and Governmental Initiatives
Adams County

Fiscal Accountability
Trappe Borough

Innovative Planning and Sound Land Use Practices
Mt. Lebanon

Intergovernmental Cooperation
South Hills Area Council of Governments
West Shore Tax Bureau and York-Adams Tax Bureau
Waynesboro Borough and Washington Township

These award-winning municipalities remind us of what communities can accomplish by working together to achieve a common goal. And best of all, the results they enjoy today will be there for generations to come.

Governor's Awards for Local Government Excellence were also presented to the following individuals:

John Ahlfeld, Executive Director of the Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee; Clifford "Kip" Allen, First Vice President of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities; Sandra Bartosiewicz, Finance and Budget Officer, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority; Carol Sambol, Councilwoman, Baden Borough; Bruce Dorbian, Manager, Marcus Hook Borough

The Dallas Dollase Award for Excellence in Planning was awarded to Mike Kaiser, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.