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Columbus leaders outline stadium-led South Commons redevelopment, tourism gains
Summary
Columbus Chamber and Visit Columbus GA told the committee about a $50 million stadium redevelopment, a mixed-use vision for "South Commons," site-ready industrial land, a new Amazon delivery station, higher-education cybersecurity credentialing, and tourism assets including the longest urban whitewater course.
Representatives from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Visit Columbus GA briefed the Economic Development & Tourism Committee on a set of coordinated economic development and tourism initiatives centered around downtown redevelopment, site-ready industrial land and visitor attractions.
Brian Solito, vice president of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, told the committee the community invested $50 million to revitalize Golden Park—now Sunovas Park—to host a new minor-league team, the Columbus Clingstones, and that the stadium is intended as an anchor for a larger mixed‑use redevelopment called South Commons. "The vision is to attract developers to do some sort of mixed use development around the park," Solito said, adding the project is intended to spur a broader ripple effect through the Columbus economy.
Solito described additional industrial and workforce developments: a 64‑acre site in the Muscogee Technology Park has been completed and marketed as a ready site for new companies; a delivery‑station Amazon facility will hold a ribbon cutting in April; and Pratt & Whitney will celebrate its 100th anniversary on April 11 and now employs more than 2,500 people in the Columbus area. Solito also asked lawmakers to continue funding state programs such as the OneGeorgia Authority as a tool for competing on economic development.
Ashley Wotena, president and CEO of Visit Columbus GA, framed tourism as a core economic driver. She reported that Columbus attracted roughly 2,000,000 visitors in fiscal year 2024 and supported more than 4,400 jobs in the hospitality sector. Wotena highlighted major cultural investments: the Columbus Museum’s $25 million renovation and the National Infantry Museum’s 300,000 annual visitors. She said Fort Benning remains the state’s largest single‑site employer and contributes about $4.75 billion in economic impact to Georgia.
Visit Columbus also promoted the city’s outdoor and sports tourism: the Chattahoochee River’s urban whitewater course, dubbed the world’s longest urban natural whitewater course, has positioned Columbus as an international host candidate. Wotena said the city is awaiting word on whether it will host the 2028 and 2029 International Canoe Federation championships, noting Columbus competes with Paris and other international sites for the bid. Youth sports and festivals — including the Liberty District’s centennial celebrations and Mawfest — were cited as recurring tourism draws.
During committee questions members asked about river safety technology and AI‑based river mapping for rescues; Solito said he would follow up with local emergency management and law‑enforcement partners to confirm whether such programs are in use.
Committee members praised Columbus’s downtown transformation and regional impact and indicated continued interest in the site‑ready industrial land, workforce programs and tourism investments.
No committee action or vote resulted from the presentation; the remarks were delivered as invited testimony.
