Bill Ham: Auburn's progress can be found in stability

Progress is a word that should be used responsibly. Properly used, it is always positive, denoting advancement or improvement. Change, in and of itself, should never be automatically labeled progress. That being said, I am confident that Auburn has made great progress in recent years.

The signs of progress are many. The most important signs are not those you notice while driving through town. They are indicated instead by the economic stability and cultural diversity of Auburn and by the enduring positive spirit of her citizens.

It may sound contradictory to suggest that progress can be found in stability. But consider that Auburn’s Annual Citizen Survey consistently shows a citizenry that is happy with life in the loveliest village. An overwhelming majority, more than 90 percent, rank Auburn as a great place to live and raise children. In 1987, when Auburn’s population was less than 33,000, 77 percent of Auburn’s citizens ranked the services offered by the City as “good” or “excellent.” In 2007, with a population of more than 50,000, 78 percent of citizens still feel the same way. If the population can grow by a third, while the city consistently maintains a service level that most citizens find good or excellent, then that’s progress.

Consider Auburn’s economy. In January, Congressman Mike Rogers wrote in this paper that East Alabama’s economy was stronger than the national economy and could remain stronger even in a national economic slowdown. This has indeed been the Auburn experience. As Forbes recognized earlier this year, Auburn’s strategy since the mid-1980s has been to recruit small and medium-sized employers, and to diversify the local economy. In each of the past 10 years, regardless of the national economic outlook, Auburn’s tax revenues have increased by at least 3 percent, and often by substantially more. Auburn has maintained the ability to provide those highly ranked services during a period of sustained population growth, with only one 0.5 percent sales tax increase the past 17 years. If tax revenues can increase without relying on tax increases, then that’s progress.

The signs that the area is thriving are all around us. Auburn University is enjoying not only a record number of students, but record ACT test scores for the current freshman class.
Industry announcements last year represented the creation of almost 500 new jobs for Auburn citizens, and a combined capital investment by industries of $116 million into the local economy.

We are growing, not because we are determined to grow at any cost, but because of our economy and the fact that people recognize that Auburn is a great place to live. We’re growing because we’re part of a region that will not be deterred from growing around us. The Auburn-Opelika metropolitan statistical area has been recognized by Forbes as the sixth fastest growing small MSA in the U.S. The Census Bureau ranks us 74th, out of 363, in the nation for population growth.

So long as Auburn remains a desirable place to live with a healthy economy, people will want to live here and we will continue to grow.

Those of us in public service must work carefully to ensure that we remain a great place to live, with the same quality of education, public safety and city services that Auburn citizens expect. We, too, are Auburn citizens and care deeply that Auburn maintains the character and spirit that makes it so special to us all.

If we do this, and if we continue to grow in a way that helps insulate and invigorate the local economy while providing new local amenities for citizens to enjoy, then that is progress.

Bill Ham is mayor of Auburn.