The Central Chamber Report: Thanksgiving in July

    You’ve heard the phrase, “Christmas in July”.  Well this weekend we need to have “Thanksgiving in July”! Why?  This week we pause to celebrate the fact that our city turns 10!  There are so many people and factors that have played a role in allowing us to reach such a tremendous milestone.  As we have watched the battles over the St. George incorporation unfold over the last few years, we can truly be thankful and consider ourselves blessed and fortunate!  So for this week’s article, in rather broad terms, I would like to take the time to issue some well-deserved thanks and encourage you to have “Thanksgiving in July”!
    Several years ago some concerned visionaries realized that we would be well served by having our own school system.  When told they couldn’t have one because we were not a municipality, they rolled up their sleeves and in 2005 we became the City of Central.  They put together a structure of governmental operation utilizing the concept of privatization and cooperative agreements that have placed our city on a strong financial foundation.  So thanks to, as you might say, these “Founding Fathers”!
    In June of 2005 a group of business leaders, formally CABA, decided to incorporate The Central Chamber of Commerce in order to help support our newly forming city and to foster the strength and growth of the business community.  The City of Central is financed strictly through sales tax revenues.  Because of the efforts and growth of the business community or city continues to prosper and enjoy financial stability.  So thanks to all the businesses that came to together and to all the businesses that have since been established for helping to fund and support our city! 
    In 2007 the dream was realized.  The Central Community School System was officially recognized.  We’ve come a long way since that first summer of volunteers coming together to paint buildings, clean up the facilities and move books and desks!  From barely over 2,600 students and a dilapidated Middle School, our system now has over 4,200 students, a fabulous brand new complex on Sullivan Road and we continue to rank extremely high in the state standings.  Whereas the business community is the city’s funding source, The Central Community School System is our calling card!  Thanks to all those who have worked so hard to make our school system such a tremendous success, an organization that is well recognized state wide and helped to make our community so desirable.  
    When you consider what truly support our city thanks has to go out to all of our citizens who support our community in a variety of ways.  The citizens of Central shop in our stores, put their children in our schools, buy properties, take up residence and some even work here!   Several of our citizens volunteer to serve in a variety of ways, are members of nonprofit groups, get engaged with our processes, and attend houses of worship.   So thanks to all of our citizens, because without your support, none of this would have been possible
    This weekend, we celebrate our 10th birthday! Even though there are events and issues that take place that may frustrate us from time to time, we are blessed and have so much to be thankful for!  This weekend, take time to celebrate our birthday and give thanks to God for our great city, The City of Central!  Let’s have “Thanksgiving in July”! 
Ron Erickson 
Central Chamber