Everyone working for a brighter future for Augusta knows that renewing the special purpose local option sales tax is a must. That's especially true this year with so much at stake.

An extended SPLOST, up to 10 years instead of the usual five, would shape the city's future for generations to come. With strong leadership from the Augusta Commission, our community could build a $60 million sports and entertainment center at Regency Mall, a $25 million performing-arts center downtown, a $17 million exhibit and trade center and a $12.6 million library headquarters, among other things.