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Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger says he expects to build the supply chain for AI chips and produce them at Ohio One... "Gelsinger called the package of grants and other supports for U.S. chipmakers “the most important piece of industrial policy since World War II,” saying that the program was necessary if the United States is to compete with international rivals. Gelsinger said that the timeline for Intel’s new Ohio factory is still “within the range,” after a report from the company to Ohio officials this month showed the date for the facility to become operational had slipped from an early estimate of 2025 to 2027 or later. "We’ve gone through a pretty harsh economic cycle, and the semiconductor industry has been hit a bit harder,” he said. “If you go to Columbus … we have thousands of construction workers on the site today.” Gelsinger said he’s had “many conversations” with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about building up the supply chain for AI chips and that he expects to produce them at Intel’s Ohio facility. Anna Makanju, OpenAI’s vice president of global affairs, said that even with the Biden administration’s investments in the sector, there still may be a continued global chips shortage, as companies around the world scramble for them to power advanced AI systems. “The demand is really going to skyrocket,” she said, “and it’s not clear that the supply is going to meet it.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/21/intel-gelsinger-biden-chips/

A little more on that^ from the Dispatch: Intel lands billions in federal CHIPS subsidies, loans to finance Ohio, U.S. expansion "Intel has landed $8.5 billion in federal subsidies and is eligible for up to $11 billion in loans to help the semiconductor giant finance its $100 billion building spree across the country, including its project in New Albany that will become a regional cluster for U.S. chipmaking, the Biden administration and Intel announced Wednesday morning. The grants and loans along with a 25% investment tax credit included in the legislation will help Intel with its $20 billion project in Licking County, where it is building two factories along with expansions in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon. When the Intel project was announced for Licking County, the company anticipated starting production in 2025. Now it construction of both plants to be finished in 2026-27 and to become operational in 2027-2028. Gelsinger told reporters Tuesday night that the Ohio project remains on a track that the company indicated was possible when work began. "The factory is being built today," he said. "If you show up at the site, we're taking a field and turning into the most modern manufacturing location in the Intel network." The Biden administration has declared Columbus a workforce hub meant to train workers for the jobs in the region by such companies as Intel and Honda's electric battery plant with LG Energy in Jeffersonville, and Intel has previously announced a $100 million commitment to local and national higher education programs over the next decade." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/manufacturing/2024/03/20/intel-gets-8-5-billion-chips-grant-to-help-new-albany-expansion/73028672007/

Biden administration investing $8.5 billion in Intel's computer chip plants in Ohio, 3 other states "As Intel continues construction on its Ohio One facility in New Albany, President Joe Biden is set to announce the company has been offered nearly $20 billion in direct funding and loans. Biden is traveling to Chandler, Arizona, on Wednesday to visit Intel’s Ocotillo campus and announce the Department of Commerce has reached a preliminary agreement to award it with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and eligibility for $11 billion in loans, which will come from the CHIPS and Science Act. The funding will support the construction and expansion of Intel facilities in Arizona, New Mexico, and Oregon, as well as the Ohio One facility under construction in New Albany. The package will also help establish a regional economic cluster in New Albany for chipmaking. It’s expected to create nearly 20,000 jobs: with 3,000 manufacturing, 7,000 construction and an estimated 10,000 indirect jobs." https://www.nbc4i.com/intel-in-ohio/president-biden-to-announce-billions-for-intel-how-it-will-impact-new-albany/

M/I Homes to begin construction on 254-unit, single-family neighborhood in Pataskala "Central Ohio's largest homebuilder is ready to begin construction on a new single-family neighborhood in Pataskala. M/I Homes will break ground this spring on Forest Ridge, a 254-unit community that will be built on 128 acres at 5155 Hazelton Etna Road SW. The site is located off State Route 310 between Broad Street and State Route 161. The addition of Forest Ridge comes as the region's population continues to grow. The Columbus metropolitan area grew faster than any other city in the nation in the second half of 2023, according to a Bank of America Institute ranking, and is projected to exceed 3 million residents by 2050." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/12/m-i-homes-forest-ridge-neighborhood-pataskala-ohio.html

Statewide Impact of Ohio Intel Project Evident in Initial Progress Report A report released today outlines Intel Corporation’s progress toward its two new semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Licking County, which continue to move forward with far-reaching impacts across the state. "The report, prepared by Intel and submitted to the Ohio Department of Development, shows that the company has spent approximately $1.5 billion through Dec. 31, 2023. With an additional $3 billion contractually committed, this brings the total committed investment by Intel in Ohio to $4.5 billion to date. Intel’s Ohio supplier footprint has grown from approximately 150 Ohio suppliers when the project investment was announced to more than 350 current Ohio suppliers across 47 Ohio counties. In addition to the semiconductor manufacturing facilities, Intel has been moving forward with design and engineering plans for its office building, water treatment and reclamation facility, and an air separation unit on site. Announced in January 2022, the project is the largest single private sector company investment in Ohio’s history and is expected to create 3,000 direct Intel jobs, $405 million in annual payroll, and more than $20 billion in fixed asset investment by Dec. 31, 2028. It’s also estimated that Intel’s investment will generate more than 20,000 jobs across the state and add $2.8 billion to Ohio’s annual gross state product." https://www.sciotopost.com/statewide-impact-of-ohio-intel-projectevident-in-initial-progress-report/

A little more on that^... President Biden to announce Intel chips grants next week "President Joe Biden and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo plan to unveil next week in Arizona a multi-billion-dollar award for Intel to expand its chip production in the United States, two people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. Intel's award, a mix of grants and loans, will be the most significant to be rolled out so far from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, America's bid to boost domestic semiconductor output with $52.7 billion in funding, including $39 billion in subsidies for semiconductor production and $11 billion for R&D." https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/joe-biden-to-announce-intel-chips-grant-in-arizona-next-week/articleshow/108510528.cms

Hill Farm subdivision in Hilliard could more than double in size with proposed 300-home expansion "A Hilliard subdivision could nearly double in size if M/I Homes lands approval for a proposed expansion. The Columbus-based homebuilder wants to add 303 additional units to its Hill Farm neighborhood. The project needs approval not only from the city of Hilliard but also from the Big Darby Accord Advisory Panel because it is located in the Big Darby Watershed, an aquatic ecosystem that is protected by the multi-jurisdictional governing body. If approved, M/I would build the single-family homes near the intersection of Elliott and Scioto Darby Creek roads on the west side of Hilliard. The new development would be divided into 184-lot and 121-lot sections. The new phase would add to Hill Farm's 229-unit initial phase that includes 169 single-family homes and 60 empty-nester units. Plans include 70% open space — a key component of the project, according to Barkan. He said that amount of open space, which totals 186 acres and includes public-owned parkland, is "unprecedented" for an M/I development." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/03/13/m-i-homes-hill-farm-hilliard-subdivision-expansion.html

City Council to Hold Public Hearing today on Zone In Initiative Procedure Who: Council President Shannon Hardin Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans Representatives from the City Attorney's Office Representatives from the Zone In Team When and Where: Today 5:30 p.m. City Hall, Council Chambers 90 W. Broad St Also: Livestream on Facebook Livestream on Youtube  What: Council President Hardin and Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, Chair of the Zoning Committee, are holding a public hearing to review and comment on the proposed amendments to Chapter 3310 and related sections of the Zoning Code. These amendments set the procedural steps that will be required to codify changes to the zoning map as the Zone In Initiative proceeds. Representatives from the City Attorney's Office and the Zone In Team will be on hand to offer testimony and answer questions. The Zone In Initiative is a multi-phase effort to comprehensively update the City’s zoning code and map for the first time in more than 70 years. A draft proposal for Phase 1 - the corridor phase of the code update - is expected to be released for public comment in April. More about the Zone In Columbus Initiative below: https://zone-in-columbus.hub.arcgis.com/

Just a reminder... Columbus Metropolitan Library will offer free solar eclipse glasses beginning March 18 *Available at all 23 CML locations. *Limit four per person. https://www.columbuslibrary.org/press-releases/library-to-offer-free-eclipse-glasses-beginning-march-18/

It will spend tonight (Saturday night) at the spot on Old Bixby Road... The load will then continue its journey on Sunday, with the first leg of that trip going from Bixby Road to U.S. 33. Sunday's route is as follows: • Travel east on Bixby Road to U.S. 33 • Travel east in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33 to the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp in Canal Winchester • Travel the wrong way on the Gender Road southbound to U.S. 33 westbound ramp • Take SR 674/Gender Road north to Brice Road • Take Brice Road north to the intersection with Tussing Road/SR 204 in Columbus • Travel east on Tussing Road/SR 204 east to SR 310 • Travel north on SR 310 to U.S. 40 in Etna More details can be found here: https://www.nbc4i.com/intel-in-ohio/ohio-super-load-update-which-parts-of-highways-will-see-traffic-delays/

A newscast from southern Ohio ran a 2 minute story with video of the first super load as it traveled near Portsmouth:

ODOT confirms super loads heading to Central Ohio to begin tomorrow morning "The first of about two dozen “super loads” is scheduled to hit the road in Ohio Wednesday morning. The super loads will leave from a dock on the Ohio River in Manchester and be delivered to New Albany or Hebron. The first load will be delivered to Freepoint in Hebron, but it could take days to get there, and cause major traffic backups on the way. ODOT has already started removing overhead signs on the route to make room for the “super loads”. Traffic lights and some utilities will also have to be moved as the loads make their way through towns. ODOT estimates the process could take months. Each load could take up to eight to 15 days." https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/super-loads-heading-intel-site-other-companies-could-cause-traffic-backups-over-next-few-months/530-ebebe902-4406-489e-8660-6ccd38ccf844

LG Energy Solution-Honda EV Battery Plant in Ohio Takes "Leap" Forward as Final Structural Beam Marks Major Construction Milestone LG Energy Solution and Honda hit a big milestone Thursday on construction of their plant in Fayette County: erection of the final structural steel beam for the plant that is to begin producing batteries for Honda and Acura electric vehicles in 2025. The milestone comes as the companies gear up to hire the 2,200 workers who will be needed to run the plant. Construction of the 2-million square-foot plant is on track to be finished this year. With the final steel beam in place, work this spring will focus on the siding, roof and final concrete slabs as well as the interior of the building, including the heating and cooling systems, electrical, plumbing and duct work. Later this spring, the companies will start to install equipment in the plant. This fall, final work on the plant will be completed, including tests on the samples to be produced by the plant to make sure they meet quality, safety and other standards." https://media.newswire.ca/forefrontmedianews.html?rkey=20240229LA49646&filter=20509

Central Ohio sees record amount of new warehouse space "A record 19.3 million square feet worth of industrial and warehouse space, nearly 7 million more square feet than the previous year, was built in Central Ohio last year. Central Ohio's boom in warehouse construction started during the pandemic, as retailers had to instantly accommodate an explosion in online shopping, and suppliers fought to fill sudden gaps in the supply chain. In the first few years of the pandemic, builders could hardly keep up with demand. Now, supply has more than caught up. About 6.5 million square feet of industrial space is under construction now in central Ohio, but builders for the most part are taking a breather when those wrap up as demand catches up to supply. Despite a glut of space now, Wendorf, Clark and others are bullish on central Ohio's market for industrial and warehouse space. The area's central location, cargo airport, retail industry, and highway and rail access have long given it a niche in the logistics and warehouse world, and helped it become the nation's 15th largest distribution hub with 292 million square feet of industrial space." https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2024/03/01/columbus-distribution-industry-continues-covid-boom/72687760007/

Demolition permit filed for Farm Crest Bakeries Building "Columbus-based developer Woda Cooper Companies wants to build affordable apartments on the site of a long-closed bakery building in the city's Driving Park neighborhood that the Columbus Landmarks Foundation and others want to save. A demolition company filed on Feb. 16 for a permit to knock down the Farm Crest Bakeries Building at 1826 E. Livingston Ave. Woda Cooper plans to redevelop the site into the Granville Woods Lofts, a $23-million project with 118 apartments and more than 5,000 square feet of retail space on the 3-acre site just west the Norfolk Southern tracks. According to the Franklin County auditor's office, the three-story, 53,616-square-foot building was built in 1949 and is now owned by Lee-Elle Management LLC of Columbus. In his statement, McKay said that Woda Cooper has an agreement to purchase the site and anticipates taking ownership in the spring. The proposed development has been in the works for more than two years." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/03/01/preservationists-fighting-to-save-old-bakery-building-in-driving-park/72757017007/

Logistics company chooses Columbus for expansion project, 50 new jobs "A Kentucky-based logistics company has chosen Central Ohio for an expansion project that will create dozens of new jobs. Longship, also known as Quality Logistics LLC, is opening an Easton-area location in an effort to enter the local market. The company will renovate an existing office at 4449 Easton Way and lease 6,500 square feet of space. The company, which specializes in the shipment of fresh, frozen and dry products including live plants, was awarded a seven-year, 1.4% Job Creation Tax Credit on Monday. The incentive, awarded by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, has an estimated value of $325,000 and requires a 10-year commitment to the project location. Longship will bring 50 full-time jobs to the Columbus office, including roles in sales, leadership, operations and administration. Those positions have an average salary of $71,400, which will generate more than $3.5 million in new annual payroll by the end of 2027. Hiring is expected to begin in the third quarter. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Lexington, Longship's over-the-road truckloads are delivered across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company has access to a fleet of more than 700,000 trucks, and moves more than 60,000 loads annually." https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/02/26/longship-quality-logistics-columbus-easton-office.html

Apartment complex south of Lowe's proceeding "As work on the (Great Southern Metro) park progresses, so do plans for 200 apartments that LDG Multifamily LLC wants to build just south of the Great Southern Shopping Center. The property is owned by a limited liability company connected with Casto, the Columbus real estate company that owns shopping center property, as well as the Walmart store at 3579 S. High St. that closed this month. Zac Linsky, LDG's development manager, emailed recently that pre-development work continues, and that the company has no details on costs or when construction would start. Columbus City Council rezoned the site in December. In 2022, Linsky told The Dispatch the complex could include one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments, available to families making an average of 60% of the area median income." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/02/26/great-southern-metro-park-presses-ahead-as-area-growth-concerns-rise/72660943007/

"Work on the new Great Southern Metro Park and the Scioto Trail extension continues as Metro Parks officials work on state legislators for $10 million to help build the park. Ohio House representatives did not include the $10 million for the park in the state's $700 million package, dubbed the "Super Duper Fund," for local projects when they voted 75-19 on Feb. 7 for how $350 million of that fund would be spent. The Ohio Senate has yet to vote on its $350 million share. Tim Moloney, Metro Parks executive director, said if the park system doesn't receive that money from the state, it will take longer to complete the new park, which along with an extension of the Scioto Trail will cost $20 million. Great Southern Metro Park will sit between the Scioto River and the Great Southern Shopping Center on the city's Far South Side. It will include the former Heer Park site. Part of the park could open late this year, Moloney said. Crews continue to clean up the site, but other than a bathroom building, and some cleared dirt, little has been done on the northern part of the Great Southern park area near West Williams Road." https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/02/26/great-southern-metro-park-presses-ahead-as-area-growth-concerns-rise/72660943007/

Not sure how likely it is that Kroger will close anytime soon. I heard "as early as July" but I know someone who works in the pharmacy and they said the lease at that location runs through 2028.

I'll try to help get to page 2... An article in the Dispatch from Oct of 2022 highlights some of the infrastructure upgrades planned in Powell through 2027 Notable projects at a glance: Northeast quadrant parking ‒ $3.2 million/projected completion 2026. Scioto Street extension ‒ $2.7 million/projected completion 2025. South Depot Street connection ‒ $2 million/projected completion 2024. North Depot Street reconstruction ‒ $1.1 million/projected completion 2024. Scioto Street reconstruction ‒ $1 million/projected completion 2026. Liberty Road multiuse path ‒ $1 million/projected completion 2025. Other projects include the construction of eight pickleball courts in Adventure Park, implementation of a sign and wayfinding plan, improvements to the Village Green amphitheater and repair and reconstruction of the CSX railroad tunnel in Adventure Park. The pedestrian and bike tunnel under the CSX tracks (shown below) near Adventure Park is scheduled for completion in 2024 https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/olentangy-valley/2022/10/13/18-8-million-infrastructure-upgrades-powell-ohio-2023-2027/69559574007/ 2024 project video can be found here:

Columbus Fury secure first victory in home debut at Nationwide Arena "Nearly one year after Columbus was named as one of seven markets to launch the Pro Volleyball Federation, the Fury took the court at home for the first time, introducing professional volleyball to 9,145 fans at Nationwide Arena Wednesday night. With the Fury’s first home game came the first win in team history, beating the Omaha Supernovas in four sets (25-12, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23). “It was definitely very exciting,” Asjia O’Neal, the Fury’s first draft pick, said. “We knew people were coming, but we didn’t know how many people were going to show up. So it was really awesome to have the city riding behind us. For people to be so engaged and excited and loud throughout the whole entire match.” Next up for the Fury, a road game against the Vegas Thrill at 10p Saturday https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/pro/2024/02/21/columbus-fury-earns-first-win-in-home-debut-vs-omaha-supernovas/72682929007/

Yikes... That may very well be where the rumor started.

Supposedly there's renderings going around on Facebook of what the whole area may look like in the future, but I'm not on Facebook so I haven't seen them.

I'm hearing rumblings that there is a proposal to tear down the Great Southern Shopping Center, along with the Kroger, Walmart, Tim Hortons and White Castle and build thousands of units of affordable housing. Supposedly, there is a meeting next month for all the tenants currently in the Great Southern Shopping Center, where they will learn what may be next. The person I spoke with said they have five years left on their lease, so they think this is something that might happen closer to 2030. But I've also heard the Great Southern Kroger could close as soon as this July. I'm wondering if anyone that's good at digging up information has heard anything about any of this?

I didn't realize the campus was going to have so many (22) athletics fields!