Mayor re-LINKS partnership

More than a month after a flap seemed to have separated a 10-year economic development partnership, the city of Columbus and the Golden Triangle Development LINK have renewed ties. On Feb. 26, LINK confirmed, through a media release, it would resume recruiting retail opportunities for Columbus. The tri-county economic development agency, which started in Columbus and Lowndes County, announced Jan. 23 that the city would be going it alone. The stark announcement was made public only a couple of days after the City Council began considering contracting with a Birmingham, Ala., retail recruitment firm to augment LINK’s work. Councilmen appeared to be on the verge of executing a contract with the Alabama firm until Mayor Robert Smith suggested tabling it until there were further discussions with LINK. On Wednesday, LINK executive committee chair Gordon Flowers said it was Smith who was instrumental in bringing the two parties back together. Columbus Dispatch. 02/27/14.