Centralia City Manager Kory Smith outlined a positive future for the city when addressing the Centralia Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.
At the top of Smith’s list is completion of the new water treatment plant that he says is the city’s future and something he doesn’t want to pass up or push back any further.
He also noted the emphasis on park improvements, the revitalization downtown that he called the heart of the city and the blossoming of the Westside business area. Smith is also pleased seeing job expansion taking place and small businesses succeeding.
He admits one unexpected positive he found when becoming city manager was the desire of everyone to work together.
“Collaborating with non for profits, profits, we are all on the same team. We are working for the same thing. One goal, which is making Centralia better. I think the more we work together, collaborate, listen and try to understand each other I think that is better for all of us, the community and something us city-wide is trying to do as well.”
Smith also told the group not to fear adversity.
“Adversity is good, it’s a blessing. I think that makes sure we all know how hard it is to get where we are going. It allows us to learn from what we’ve done wrong. I think it makes us stronger in the end.”
And Smith told those in attendance the city’s future is ‘you guys’ noting the crowd of business people. He said his door is open to any ideas and anything they can do to help businesses.
