By now, you probably know that Business Insider recently named New Albany as the No. 1 suburb in America, based on factors such as proximity to the nearest metropolitan area, average commute times, median household income, crime rates and public school ratings.
New Albany staff didn’t apply for this recognition. It was an objective process by a national publication and something in which we can all take pride.
Understandably, traditional and social media throughout central Ohio lit up about the achievement. I also received a number of calls from residents saying their kids away at college were excited about it, telling their friends what an awesome place their hometown is. I’ve even joked with reporters, some of whom live in Powell, Bexley, Dublin and Upper Arlington – other communities mentioned in the Business Insider list – about the virtues of living and working in New Albany.
While community pride has been even more evident since the announcement, the recognition itself is an affirmation of our master planning and aspirational nature. Our community leaders and many resident ambassadors genuinely care about New Albany and always seem to be thinking of ways to make it better. The Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany and the new Rocky Fork Metro Park, both of which opened this past year, are prime examples of that.
Residents now have two new, extraordinary recreational venues thanks to vision, planning,
hard work and collaborative partnerships. The Heit Center, which is mostly paid for by long-term leases with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, paved the way for new restaurants and shops in Market Square by creating the foot traffic necessary to support them.
New Albany is a beautiful community with wooded preserves, scenic vistas and lots of green space. Our timeless Georgian architecture and classic white horse fencing are constant visual reminders that we are in a different, inspiring place. We care about wellness, culture, the arts and education. We may even host world leaders on occasion. But the secret to our success, the one factor that is often overlooked when talking about New Albany, is our friendly and welcoming nature.
People here know their neighbors and care about their well-being.
There are a plethora of special events, some nationally renowned, that bring residents together and show off our community to thousands of visitors every year. We are connected socially, technologically and physically by 33 miles of leisure trails.
We have a flourishing business community. Through taxes and other support, our businesses and their 13,000 employees throughout New Albany have contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to our community and our schools without adding one new student to our classrooms. Nearly two-thirds of our 6,500 new jobs since 2009 are also new to Ohio, benefiting our state economy. Future growth in our New Albany International Business Park will greatly contribute to our prosperity for decades to come.
Finally, we cannot forget that we live in a thriving Columbus region. Culture, sports, great food, educational opportunities and fun outdoor activities abound here. We don’t have beaches or mountains, but there is always something to do or see or learn about.
In his book For the Love of Cities, Peter Kageyama writes about three magical ingredients to community satisfaction: aesthetics, social offerings and openness. New Albany certainly checks all of those boxes. I would suggest that a fourth key ingredient is never resting on past accomplishments. In this entrepreneurial community, our leaders provide opportunities for residents to share ideas and become involved to make those visions a reality. It is these opportunities that generate passion, connection and, yes, even a love for one’s community. It doesn’t happen everywhere, but it is evident here. And we are all the better for it.
Scott McAfee is public information officer for the City of New Albany. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
