Wellington E. Webb, Former Mayor of Denver Colorado and prominent economic development expert, is the featured speaker for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 107th Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 26th. The event, which begins at 6:00 p.m., centers around “Urban Renewal” and also includes the traditional passing of the gavel from outgoing Board Chair Larry Jones, President of Universal Plumbing, to incoming Board Chair John Ray, General Manager of WRDW TV. Dress is business attire. 

Wellington Webb spent 12 years as Denver's mayor, lifting it out of the economic doldrums by investing $7 billion in infrastructure. He oversaw the completion of the $4 billion Denver International Airport and the redevelopment of the former Stapleton Airport into a thriving residential and business area. He also helped pass a $300 million addition to the Colorado Convention Center and pushed through difficult negotiations for a privately-publicly funded Hyatt Convention Center hotel.

Among his notable achievements was the redevelopment of the Central Platte Valley near downtown Denver. The area, once littered by abandoned rail lines, now boasts a privately-funded Pepsi Center (professional basketball, hockey and entertainment venue), the Six Flags Elitch Gardens amusement park, community gardens and city parks. He also transformed downtown into a vital business and residential area anchored by the professional baseball park, Coors Field. In addition, Webb ensured that Denver's three professional athletic teams signed agreements to play in the city for 25 years and relocate to venues within the downtown.