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1 Bexley initiative launches; community foundations, chamber and library highlight grants, programs and partnerships
Summary
Speakers described the new 1 Bexley inclusion effort and underscored philanthropic and business partnerships: the Bexley Community Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and Bexley Public Library summarized recent grants, outreach programs and upcoming events.
Several community organizations used the State of the Community platform to highlight partnerships, grantmaking and programming that officials said underpin many city projects.
Betsy Lane, identifying herself as president of Congregation Teradata, welcomed city leaders and praised civic partnership and shared space. The Bexley Community Foundation presented a video and summary of grants; the recorded remarks said the foundation had reinvested over $5,300,000 in the community since its founding, and the mayor later said the foundation has awarded $5,500,000 (the transcript records both amounts).
Sheila Straub, identified in the meeting as chair of the Bexley Community Foundation, and director Hallie Raskin were acknowledged for the foundation’s role in projects including the Commonwealth Arboretum Walk, park and playground upgrades, and community events. City leaders credited the foundation with funding elements of Commonwealth Park, the outdoor library reading room and other public-space projects.
Brian Drury, executive director of the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce, summarized the chamber’s work to support small business and events. Drury said the chamber has nearly 350 members and expanded programs including a small-business grant pilot; he highlighted the Taste of Bexley, Main Event season and a relaunch of women-in-business events.
Library Director Ben Heckman outlined the library’s strategic priorities, an equity statement the staff adopted, and upcoming projects including an outdoor reading room in partnership with the congregation adjacent to the library, a writers-in-residence program and a local-music streaming project called “Listen Columbus.” He reported nearly 500,000 total checkouts in 2024 and described expansions to streaming programming, book lockers and mobile services.
Mayor Kessler and school leaders also announced the launch of “1 Bexley,” an inclusion-focused project that the mayor said is coordinated among the city, the Bexley City School District and the Bexley Public Library to build belonging and allyship through events, training and community conversations.
Why it matters: Officials presented philanthropy, business support and library services as essential partners for city projects and events; the 1 Bexley initiative signals a formalized inclusion effort among major local institutions.
What’s next: Community Foundation events (BCF annual gathering on April 30), Chamber and library program calendars, and early gatherings for 1 Bexley were scheduled for coming months.
