As Columbus prepares to celebrate its bicentennial this month, it’s important to reflect on the past and celebrate what makes the Columbus area a special place to live, work and play. It also is important to celebrate our everyday successes that continue to make this a dynamic, growing part of the country and to continue to look forward to our very bright future. In fact, it absolutely is important that we do so.

Three recent announcements in the Columbus region are great examples of the types of successes we realize on a regular basis. Perhaps the most significant was Honda’s recent announcement that it would stay local for production of the revamped Acura NSX, its first U.S.-produced version of the luxury “supercar.” Honda has been a mainstay in central Ohio for three decades, but its renewed commitment to the region is a powerful and welcome reminder that the global company would continue to serve North America from its base in central Ohio. This is exactly the type of achievement Columbus2020 hopes to replicate in its aggressive 10-year plan.

Another example is Zyvex Technologies, which moved here from Texas in 2007. It recently was announced that the nanotechnology company would join a handful of Ohio-based companies to create a research-and-development consortium for aerospace giant Airbus. Not only did the thriving high-tech company, Zyvex, choose the Columbus region as home for its operations, but also an international company has taken an interest in what our region can offer.

Honda and Zyvex aren’t the only companies keeping a close eye on central Ohio. Our financial-services industry continues to expand with Chase’s announcement of hundreds of new jobs in Westerville, expanding the company’s footprint once again. Nearly every week, there is good news to report, and too often we don’t take time to celebrate those that are moving our region forward. Whether an existing company is adding jobs or launching a new product, or an out-of-region company is starting its presence in central Ohio, we should be vocal about the news.

Although it is our job at Columbus2020 to promote the region, everyone should feel empowered to take time let others know the many wonderful things going on here.

Sharing positive news about central Ohio, like that of Honda, Zyvex and Chase, helps to build awareness of the many opportunities here and might help to influence companies to expand or move to our region. It also helps to build confidence among the area’s business community and our citizens, many of whom have been affected by a rapidly changing world economy.

Finally, celebrating our achievements could serve as an education for our youth about the power of community and the many opportunities within their reach.

Join us as we celebrate both past and continued achievements. Think of it as a necessary and important component of building community in the region so we can celebrate the next 200 years with as much — if not more — enthusiasm.

Kenny McDonald is chief economic officer for Columbus2020. Email him at km@columbusregion.com or visit ColumbusRegion.com for more information.