Tourism bureau ready to compete

Columbia County is still standing in the shadow of Richmond County's tourism trade, but it's getting ready to step into the light.

Columbia County officials said they have received several inquiries from people wanting to head its new tourism office in the three months since announcing they would break away from the Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross said the county is assembling a visitors bureau board that will include government leaders, chamber of commerce officials, and hotel and restaurant owners.

As the board is put together, the county is considering aligning with the neighboring counties of McDuffie, Lincoln, Wilkes and Warren to form a tourism partner-ship.

Columbia County is expected to contribute at least $150,000 to Augusta's visitors bureau.

Columbia County officials have said they don't believe they've gotten their money's worth.

"All we really got from the Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau was the overflow," Mr. Cross said.

As Columbia County continues to grow, it needs its own representation to attract visitors - and their disposable income, Mr. Cross said. The county has "always been in shadow of the larger city," he said.

The new bureau will have to wait until Jan. 1, however, when Columbia County's contract with the Augusta bureau expires.

With no contract, all mention of Columbia County in the Augusta Metropolitan bureau's marketing material will be removed next year, Executive Director Barry White said.

That includes printed literature and what's on the Web site, which lists about 10 hotels and attractions such as the Laurel and Hardy Museum.

The two groups will compete for tourism dollars.

"We'll be pushing Augusta properties first. If it's something we cannot accommodate, we would obviously want to keep them in the area and put them in contact with Columbia County," Mr. White said.

Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@augustachronicle.com.