04.21.2007 - Columbus Dispatch Editorial Recognizes CRP Benchmarking Report

Benchmark study will show where city succeeds, where it should change
Saturday, April 21, 2007

A community can't plan intelligently for improvement without understanding its strengths and weaknesses.

The Columbus Partnership, which has served central Ohio by lobbying for state and federal money to stimulate development and assess the arts and culture scene, has given the community an invaluable new tool.

By commissioning a study comparing Columbus with 15 cities on more than 50 measures, the group has created a snapshot of the present and generated a wealth of ideas for a better future.

The picture shows Columbus with a young population, which is an indication of vitality. And while Columbus has had the greatest growth of any city in transportation and warehousing jobs, it has lost more retail jobs than all but one city in the study.

Comparison cities include those that are similar in size and characteristics, such as Indianapolis, and some the Partnership called "aspirational," including Portland, Ore., and San Diego, which are known for excellent planning and quality of life.

The report offers no bottom line and is best viewed as an encyclopedia for planners and policymakers in any of the areas studied, such as public transportation, housing costs and the arts.

The report's value will come with time, as progress or the lack of it becomes evident.

The partnership has committed to yearly updates of the study, which was compiled from existing research by various groups, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the FBI and the Census Bureau.

No matter how proud community leaders may be of a public-health initiative or a particular company bringing new jobs to town, progress can be assessed only through measurements taken over time, and the report provides a valuable yardstick.