On Jan. 15 Columbus Town Council held a special meeting to visit the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Cathy Ruth, county planner, led the group on an extensive tour where she explained current facts, updates and progress to date. The special meeting was called in the wake of a report recently presented to the county commissioners by Polk County’s Economic Development Director Robert Williamson projecting a $53,358,480 economic impact on area businesses for the 2015 show season. Pictured left to right are Josh Denton and Richard Hall, councilmen; Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield; Cathy Ruth, county planner; Marche Pittman, county manager; Tim Barth, Columbus town manager; Devon Gosnell, Columbus town clerk; and Columbus Mayor Eric McIntyre.  (Photo by Kirk Gollwitzer)