Three groups dedicated to bolstering Columbia County's economy -- the development authority, convention and visitors bureau, and chamber of commerce -- are considering sharing office space.

"It seems like the idea has some merit, so we're exploring what everybody would have to have in their ideal space layout to determine if there is a building already in existence to fit that profile, or if we would need to build," said Troy Post, the executive director of the development authority.

Each of the groups' executive directors is filling in a questionnaire to determine space needs.

While Mr. Post says he has adequate accommodations in his office off Ronald Reagan Drive, CVB Executive Director Beda Johnson said she needs more storage and work space than she has in the county government center, and chamber Executive Director Jim Tingen wants a larger meeting room than the one at his office on Evans to Locks Road.

Each director said a single office would provide an opportunity to better serve the public.

"We're all kind of a three-legged stool for economic development in Columbia County," Ms. Johnson said. "It's important that we work with each other on a regular basis. Being under the same roof would lend itself to that very well."

Other combined efforts might include shared staff, cooperative advertising and sharing a domain name for a Web site, which the CVB and development authority already share, Ms. Johnson said.

Still, practicality might win out over ideals, Mr. Tingen said.

"It would be a convenient thing and may end up being a smart thing economically, but it needs to make economic sense," he said. "We can't build something without being able to justify it or to make some money off of it."

Mr. Post expects any plans to take one or two years to reach fruition. He hopes to meet again in the summer to compare questionnaires, develop a layout suiting all three groups and see what is available.