Partnerships sought to do local projects

Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross is seeking people and civic groups interested in being partners with one another or the county on community service projects.

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The inaugural meeting of Columbia County Partners will be at noon Wednesday in meeting rooms B and C of the Columbia County Library.

Cross, who was inspired by the public-private partnership that resulted in an expanded playground, pavilion and zero-depth foundation at the library, is spearheading the effort to formalize a group dedicated to similar projects.

"I wanted to set something up so that others might have access to others who might be interested in the same thing and have a heading to go under," he said. "This is just an exploratory meeting to see if others in the county ... would have an interest in having a common name and organization to work from."

Cross stressed that the new group would not necessarily become a fundraising agent.

"If someone has an idea for something that they would like to see for the county, they could partner with the county and with other people who have the same interest to get it done," he said. "That may be in the form of money, or volunteering time or in-kind contributions."

Invitations to attend the lunch meeting were sent to about 30 residents who have expressed an interest in community service projects, but others interested may also attend, Cross said.

Those interested in attending the Columbia County Partners meeting should RSVP to Erin Hall at (706) 312-7388 or ehall@columbiacountyga.gov.