As part of their efforts to grow the local economy, Columbus officials have said they hope one day to be part of Handmade in America, a non-profit organization that promotes craft and culture for communities in Western North Carolina.
Columbus Town Council has discussed the program during the past few meetings, and town manager Jonathan Kanipe and councilwoman Ernie Kan attended a Handmade in America meeting in May.
During council’s June 16 meeting, Kanipe reported he and Kan were very impressed with the program.
“There is an exciting amount of energy running throughout each town due to their work with Handmade,” Kanipe said.
Kanipe said it is still not clear when Handmade in America will open up its application process for Columbus to join, but he will continue to look into opportunities to join and in the meantime, he said he believes Columbus can accomplish significant things without being a formal member.
Kan explained that Handmade in America creates an event or other focal point in small towns to attract visitors. For example, Kan said, one town in the program has Christmas in July and another has placed quilt squares on buildings.
Columbus already has more to offer tourists than many of the other towns in the program, Kan said.
The focus for Handmade in America, Kanipe said, is to grow handmade economies through craft, cultural heritage and community assets. Handmade in America focuses on the Western North Carolina region and leverages the cultural aspects of a community to reap benefits for the entire area, he said.
Handmade’s small towns program applies grassroots, volunteer-led methods for rejuvenating the physical and civic infrastructure of a community.
Handmade in America currently works with 13 small towns in 10 counties throughout Western North Carolina to connect them with funders and resources that support community revitalization projects.
Western North Carolina towns currently in the small towns program include Andrews, Bakersville, Bryson City, Chimney Rock, Crossnore, Hayesville, Hot Springs, Mars Hill, Marshall, Old Fort, Robbinsville, Todd and West Jefferson. Each of the towns is undergoing revitalization projects, such as building or facade upgrades, parks, trails, streetscapes and signage improvements.
Kanipe told council last month that he will bring ideas and plans in the coming months on what Columbus can do to better utilize its citizens and community spirit in local development.
“The town plans to apply to become a member town when they open up their application process,” said Kanipe. “In the meantime, there are efforts we can undertake now that will result in positive changes for the town. Citizen collaboration and partnership can lead to great things for the town, and we plan to explore several ideas and options in the coming months that can help us on this track.”
For more information on Handmade in America, visit  www.handmadeinamerica.org/about.