Downtown Columbus slated for nearly $3 billion in development projects, report finds

 

Nearly $3 billion downtown Columbus projects are in the pipeline and $228 million worth of projects were finished last year.

 

21 projects under constructions downtown currently and 31 projects proposed.  16 completed in 2023.

 

The report also showed that population downtown grew 3% from 2022 to 2023.

 

There are currently 1,831 apartment units proposed for downtown Columbus, which doesn't include the 2,260 under construction currently or that have been recently completed.

 

A goal of 40,000 residents downtown by 2040 is in line with this construction rate.

Columbus Chamber launches immigrant, refugee business initiative

 

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative aimed at supporting immigrant and refugee business communities.

 

Central Ohio’s largest business advocacy organization launched the application this week with a goal of getting 120 businesses on board in the first year.

 

But Desmond Bryant, the Chamber’s vice president of government relations, said the program doesn’t want turn anyone away.

 

“These folks have been very successful in their own right,” he told me. “At the end of the day, the Columbus Chamber wants to help support those businesses.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/05/30/columbus-chamber-immigrants-refugees.html

 

44 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

Columbus Chamber launches immigrant, refugee business initiative

 

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative aimed at supporting immigrant and refugee business communities.

 

Central Ohio’s largest business advocacy organization launched the application this week with a goal of getting 120 businesses on board in the first year.

 

But Desmond Bryant, the Chamber’s vice president of government relations, said the program doesn’t want turn anyone away.

 

“These folks have been very successful in their own right,” he told me. “At the end of the day, the Columbus Chamber wants to help support those businesses.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/05/30/columbus-chamber-immigrants-refugees.html

 

Love this, hopefully they can get some opened up downtown and not all out in the suburbs. 

Franklin County No. 3 in Site Selection's best counties for economic development

 

"Central Ohio is home to one of the best counties nationally for economic development, according to Site Selection magazine."

 

"Franklin County racked up 2,347 points to take the No. 3 spot in the U.S., behind only Maricopa County, Arizona (Pheonix) and Harris County, Texas (Houston).  The publication awarded points based on the number of projects between January 2023 and March 2024, capital investment and jobs created."

 

"Franklin County bested No. 4 Fulton County, Georgia (Atlanta), as well as Dallas County, Texas (Dallas) and Cook County, Illinois (Chicago) - both tied for 5th"

 

"Montgomery County (Dayton) ranked No. 9 and Hamilton County (Cincinnati) took the No. 16 spot."

 

"The Columbus metropolitan area is estimated to grow its 2020 employment by 9.4% in 2030, from 1.09 million to 1.19 million.  That puts Columbus in the driver's seat to lead Ohio's employment growth into the next decade."

Edited July 19, 2024Jul 19 by Gnoraa

Columbus downtown office space continues to struggle:

 

Downtown Columbus office tenant lists space in troubled Continental Plaza for sublease

 

BONNIE MEIBERS | COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST

By Bonnie Meibers – Staff reporter , Columbus Business First

Jul 18, 2024

Updated Jul 18, 2024 3:38pm EDT

 

Hexion is giving up space at 180 E. Broad St.

 

According to CBRE's second quarter office report, Hexion is listing some of its space for sublease. Hexion could not be reached for comment. CBRE declined to comment as the firm is listing space in the Continental Plaza building.

 

Hexion listed 18,000 square feet in the building for sublease sometime in the second quarter of this year, according to CBRE. A Hexion spokesman told me in 2023 that the company leased about 126,000 square feet across six floors in the building.

 

The building is currently about 60% occupied, according to Colliers.

 

Overall office vacancy in downtown Columbus is about 22%, according to CBRE data.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/07/18/hexion-continental-plaza.html

 

This, coupled with the 88 East Broad St. (former Key Bank building) and 100 East Broad St. (former Chase Bank building) mean continued turbulence for the Columbus office market. 100 East Broad has been floated as an office-to-residential conversion similar to the Continental Centre at 150 E. Gay St., but there doesn't seem to be much movement there as of late. Apparently 88 East Broad is deteriorating pretty badly with the current owners not keeping up on the maintenance of the building. I wonder if the eventual plan is for it to be torn down. I feel like a residential conversion would be hard for that property given how thin it is. At least we'd be rid of the horrible blank façade on the east side of the building.  

5 hours ago, CMHOhio said:

Columbus downtown office space continues to struggle:

 

Downtown Columbus office tenant lists space in troubled Continental Plaza for sublease

 

This, coupled with the 88 East Broad St. (former Key Bank building) and 100 East Broad St. (former Chase Bank building) mean continued turbulence for the Columbus office market. 100 East Broad has been floated as an office-to-residential conversion similar to the Continental Centre at 150 E. Gay St., but there doesn't seem to be much movement there as of late. Apparently 88 East Broad is deteriorating pretty badly with the current owners not keeping up on the maintenance of the building. I wonder if the eventual plan is for it to be torn down. I feel like a residential conversion would be hard for that property given how thin it is. At least we'd be rid of the horrible blank façade on the east side of the building.  

 

Disappointing but not surprising. Hopefully if interest rates drop a bit by the end of the year we can see the Chase Building conversion come back to life

 

Is the parking lot next to 88 E Broad (Key Bank) controlled by the same ownership?  The building is about 60 feet wide which would work for a double-loaded corridor residential building, provided you could add windows on the west side...

 

There could still be a lower (8-12) story building added on the parking lot as well

 

Edited July 19, 2024Jul 19 by NW24HX

Columbus' $100M Rumpke recycling facility largest in North America

 

 

"We're very proud of what we've built here," President Andrew Rumpke told me. "This is North America's largest recycling facility."

This facility was built with education in mind, including an elevated tour platform so that the public can see the procession floor.

 

There also is a third-floor education center developed in collaboration with COSI, where students fifth grade and older can learn about the recycling process, the facility and how to make good recycling choices. A research center was created in partnership with Ohio State's sustainability institute.

 

Partnerships don't end there, Rumpke said. About 90% of the end product that comes out of the facility is sold to area businesses, like Delaware-based Greif, New Albany-based Axium Packaging and Hilliard-based Advanced Drainage Systems.

Edited July 31, 2024Jul 31 by VintageLife

https://www.axios.com/2024/08/30/intel-manufacturing-bankers-strategic-options

Intel strikes multibillion-dollar deal with Amazon, boosting New Albany project

 

Intel shares jump on chip deal with Amazon

 

 

Intel on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to its $28 billion project in New Albany and said it has struck a new multiyear, multibillion-dollar partnership with Amazon, one of its Licking County neighbors.

 

"We remain committed to our U.S. manufacturing investments and are moving forward with our projects in Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico and Ohio," Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said in a statement.

 

The partnership with Amazon comes after Amazon's announcement a year ago that it will spend $7.8 billion to build out its data center operations in central Ohio. Amazon has invested $10.3 billion in Ohio since 2015.

 

“This collaboration between Intel and (Amazon) is a great development for U.S.-based manufacturing and solidifying Ohio as a leader in AI,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “Today’s announcement furthers Intel’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing sites, like Ohio’s, as well as (Amazon's) commitment to its nearly decade-long investment in our state.”

 

Intel said it will explore the potential for further designs with Amazon to be produced by Intel using its most advanced chips that are expected to be produced in New Albany.

Quote

New YorkCNN — 

Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has been indicted on 16 federal counts of sex trafficking and international prostitution in New York, and is accused of leveraging “a network of employees, contractors and security professionals” while he led the retailer.

“While Jeffries was the CEO of one of the most recognizable clothing retailers in the world, he was using his power, his wealth and his influence to traffic men for his own sexual pleasure and that of his romantic partner, Matthew Smith,” Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a Tuesday press conference.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/22/business/abercrombie-ceo-mike-jeffries-arrested-sex-trafficking/index.html

Yay!!!

 

'Anti-woke' financial company Strive moving to Dallas from Dublin

 

An investment firm co-founded by former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that fights DEI and ESG initiatives has announced it is moving its headquarters out of Dublin next year.

 

Strive Enterprises Inc. expects most of its employees to relocate to Dallas from the Columbus region by the end of the first quarter, according to a Friday press release. Strive also announced it has launched a Dallas wealth management business that will integrate Bitcoin into portfolios.

 

"Ohio was the perfect place for Strive to launch its business, and we couldn't be more thankful for the partnerships we built here over the past two years," CEO Matt Cole said in a statement provided to Columbus Business First.

 

"From a business perspective, Texas was the right decision for Strive's headquarters, but we will of course continue to serve our Ohio customers and provide them the ability to invest with our unapologetically pro-shareholder company," the statement said.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/11/04/strive-vivek-ramaswamy-hq-move.html

 

15 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

Yay!!!

 

'Anti-woke' financial company Strive moving to Dallas from Dublin

 

An investment firm co-founded by former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that fights DEI and ESG initiatives has announced it is moving its headquarters out of Dublin next year.

 

Strive Enterprises Inc. expects most of its employees to relocate to Dallas from the Columbus region by the end of the first quarter, according to a Friday press release. Strive also announced it has launched a Dallas wealth management business that will integrate Bitcoin into portfolios.

 

"Ohio was the perfect place for Strive to launch its business, and we couldn't be more thankful for the partnerships we built here over the past two years," CEO Matt Cole said in a statement provided to Columbus Business First.

 

"From a business perspective, Texas was the right decision for Strive's headquarters, but we will of course continue to serve our Ohio customers and provide them the ability to invest with our unapologetically pro-shareholder company," the statement said.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/11/04/strive-vivek-ramaswamy-hq-move.html

 

Hopefully he goes with it! 

 

Schaefer Announces Expansion in Columbus Region

 

"Schaefer, a structural engineering firm specializing in innovative design services, has announced plans to expand its operations in the Columbus Region. The investment will create 20 new high-paying jobs with an annual payroll of $1.6 million, while retaining 20 existing positions.

 

Schaefer’s expansion in Columbus’ historic Warehouse District reflects the company’s growing client base and commitment to supporting industries such as commercial, healthcare, and industrial development. The new Columbus office will play a critical role in delivering cutting-edge engineering services to clients across the country, strengthening Schaefer’s footprint in the region.

 

“This expansion underscores our confidence in the Columbus Region as a hub for innovation and talent,” said Ryan Konst, Executive Vice President at Schaefer. “With its robust business environment and access to highly skilled professionals, Columbus continues to be an ideal location for us to grow and serve our clients more effectively.”

 

The Columbus Region continues to experience unprecedented growth, fueled by major investments across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. With its skilled workforce and reputation for innovation, the Region is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic metropolitan areas in the country."

 

https://columbusregion.com/press-release/schaefer-announces-expansion-in-columbus-region/

 

17 hours ago, Luvcbus said:

 

Schaefer Announces Expansion in Columbus Region

 

"Schaefer, a structural engineering firm specializing in innovative design services, has announced plans to expand its operations in the Columbus Region. The investment will create 20 new high-paying jobs with an annual payroll of $1.6 million, while retaining 20 existing positions.

 

Schaefer’s expansion in Columbus’ historic Warehouse District reflects the company’s growing client base and commitment to supporting industries such as commercial, healthcare, and industrial development. The new Columbus office will play a critical role in delivering cutting-edge engineering services to clients across the country, strengthening Schaefer’s footprint in the region.

 

“This expansion underscores our confidence in the Columbus Region as a hub for innovation and talent,” said Ryan Konst, Executive Vice President at Schaefer. “With its robust business environment and access to highly skilled professionals, Columbus continues to be an ideal location for us to grow and serve our clients more effectively.”

 

The Columbus Region continues to experience unprecedented growth, fueled by major investments across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. With its skilled workforce and reputation for innovation, the Region is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic metropolitan areas in the country."

 

https://columbusregion.com/press-release/schaefer-announces-expansion-in-columbus-region/

 

$80,000 cannot be considered "high paying".

50 minutes ago, aderwent said:

$80,000 cannot be considered "high paying".

 

I guess it depends on the level. Less than three years of experience? Yea, that's a good salary. 

1 hour ago, aderwent said:

$80,000 cannot be considered "high paying".

I wouldn’t say $80,000 is high paying, but it would make life in Columbus easy for most people. 

10 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I wouldn’t say $80,000 is high paying, but it would make life in Columbus easy for most people. 

 

Generally speaking, in the corporate world, that's not a high salary unless you are at the staff/senior level. But compared to the average salary in the area, which I believe is around $65k, it's pretty solid. It's also a good salary if you are in the first few years of your career. 

That field has had a reputation for paying nothing until someone's 50s then it pays a ton. I don't know how accurate that is today though.

Love that Edwards is doubling down on downtown. It would be cool to see some out of state companies move in to these builds, but that’s fine.
 

Edwards Cos. moving offices to to Preston Centre

 

The Edwards Cos. and Installed Building Products will move their offices from the Brewery District to downtown Columbus.

Both firms will move into the Preston Centre, located at 155 E. Broad St., in 2025. An exact date hasn't been determined, according to a press release.

 

“We are thrilled to announce our move to the newly renovated Preston Centre, a space that reflects the innovation, collaboration and values that define IBP and Edwards,” Jeff Edwards, chairman and CEO of IBP and president of the Edwards Cos., said in the release.

 

 

Anduril Building Arsenal-1 Hyperscale Manufacturing Facility in Ohio

 

Anduril picks Ohio for weapons megafactory Arsenal-1

 

Bring on another 4,000 jobs Columbus

 

 

Anduril Industries will build Arsenal-1 in Columbus, Ohio, propelling its plans to pump out tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles, sensors and weapons.

 

The production lines could go hot as soon as July 2026, according to the company.

 

The latest: The 5 million-square-foot Arsenal-1 will be erected near Rickenbacker International Airport, which has ties to the Ohio Air National Guard.

 

A 700,000-square-foot facility already on the plot will be renovated.

 

The location grants Anduril access to a pair of 12,000-foot runways. Testing nearby is an option.

 

Chief executive Brian Schimpf told Axios in November available labor and state government enthusiasm were big factors.

Intel is building a semiconducter shop miles down the road.

 

Context: Ohio is home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Gnoraa

21 minutes ago, Gnoraa said:

Intel is building a semiconducter shop miles down the road.

 

Many miles down many different roads...lol

 

Seriously though, as I said in another thread, IF these guys and Intel can come close to realizing their full potential, our population is going to be growing like crazy. What's the estimates for Intel? 3k direct jobs and 20k indirect? Plus the potential for 4k direct and 4.5k indirect with this one. That's potentially 30k new jobs in the metro area in the next decade or so. The chances of us reaching the number are likely pretty low, but it's exciting nonetheless. 

30 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

Many miles down many different roads...lol

 

Seriously though, as I said in another thread, IF these guys and Intel can come close to realizing their full potential, our population is going to be growing like crazy. What's the estimates for Intel? 3k direct jobs and 20k indirect? Plus the potential for 4k direct and 4.5k indirect with this one. That's potentially 30k new jobs in the metro area in the next decade or so. The chances of us reaching the number are likely pretty low, but it's exciting nonetheless. 

Yeah it’s even harder to believe with Ohio not having a growing population from outside the state. The laws being passed here aren’t attractive to a lot of people that would fill these jobs, so it will be interesting to see how this goes. Obviously if pay is good, people will move for those reasons. The area already has a construction worker shortage, what is the state going to do to help with that? 

1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

Yeah it’s even harder to believe with Ohio not having a growing population from outside the state. The laws being passed here aren’t attractive to a lot of people that would fill these jobs, so it will be interesting to see how this goes. Obviously if pay is good, people will move for those reasons. The area already has a construction worker shortage, what is the state going to do to help with that? 

 

This is not meant to be a political argument at all, I'm strictly looking at this from a statistical point of view, but there are literally tens of millions of people who are supportive of laws being considered or passed, and many millions more who simply don't care about them enough to make them turn down a good job offer. There are obviously many people who would be dissuaded from moving here, but there are more than enough people who wouldn't be dissuaded. Just look at Texas and Florida. Growing like crazy. Most of the fastest growing states lean more conservative. This isn't an endorsement of anything political, just stating the current reality of population growth around the country. 

Yeah the other sites they were looking at were in Texas and Arizona, I don't think they were concerned with politics in the slightest when they were choosing a final location.

I also don't that people working in an defense tech manufacturing facility are going to be dissuaded from moving to Ohio because of a sense that it's too conservative. 

Questions Remain About Incentive Package for Defense Contractor Development

 

Ohio officials announced Thursday they’d landed the biggest economic development deal in the state’s history in terms of employment. The California-based defense contractor Anduril is planning a massive production facility southeast of Columbus in Pickaway County. With plans to hire 4,000 workers, Anduril’s Arsenal-1 project is more than 30% larger in terms of employment than the Intel facility going up in Licking County.

 

State officials have yet to share details about what incentives they offered the company in exchange for selecting Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine said they’d be ready to share those figures “in the next several days.”

 

Meeting the new neighbors

 

Anduril was founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, who previously developed the Oculus Rift virtual reality system. The company is still privately funded and has the backing of Peter Thiel, who founded PayPal and helped bankroll Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s U.S. Senate run in 2022.

 

The company focuses on autonomous aircraft systems — including vertical take-off drones (Roadrunner), helicopters (Ghost) and cruise missiles (Barracuda). Their biggest aircraft is a large-scale fighter known as Fury, and the company has also developed a pair of autonomous submarines.

 

Anduril expects to produce Fury, Roadrunner, and Barracuda at the Ohio facility.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/questions-remain-about-incentive-package-for-defense-contractor-development-ocj1/

 

Even the eternal pessimist in the face of obvious growth, Bill LaFayette, is saying, "This is about the best news I've seen on our economy in ages."

 

2024 employment gains in Columbus area 5 times higher than initial estimates

 

 

"I thought we were going down the tubes – and it turns out we're doing pretty much OK."

 

Employment grew by 13,900 in metropolitan Columbus over 2023, not 2,700 new jobs as estimated at year's end, according to new figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled by LaFayette.

 

When preparing his annual forecast in January, LaFayette figured that 2,700 was too low, but even his estimate of last year's growth was "a measly 4,500" jobs.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/03/19/columbus-metro-employment-2024-correction.html

6 hours ago, aderwent said:

Even the eternal pessimist in the face of obvious growth, Bill LaFayette, is saying, "This is about the best news I've seen on our economy in ages."

 

2024 employment gains in Columbus area 5 times higher than initial estimates

 

 

"I thought we were going down the tubes – and it turns out we're doing pretty much OK."

 

Employment grew by 13,900 in metropolitan Columbus over 2023, not 2,700 new jobs as estimated at year's end, according to new figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled by LaFayette.

 

When preparing his annual forecast in January, LaFayette figured that 2,700 was too low, but even his estimate of last year's growth was "a measly 4,500" jobs.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/03/19/columbus-metro-employment-2024-correction.html

I wanna know where the person that said Columbus was screwed and that the city was going to slow down and struggle to bring new jobs is right now. 
 

I do find it weird the article mentions they aren’t really sure where these jobs came from or what caused such a huge discrepancy 

I was worried when Lafayette released the first report because it was pretty grim. I am glad to see his revision. 

This is an interesting assessment of the City of Columbus' fiscal health. It's the nuts and bolts of a city's infrastructure that allows it to grow and prosper. Aging pipes and roads are a liability to a municipality and apparently Columbus is on the right track. This stuff isn't sexy but it make me feel pretty good about our leadership over the last 50 years that positioned us in a good place. It makes me feel better about voting for bond packages. This is what attracts new business to the city and region.

Strong Towns

Columbus Locals Turn Data into Dialogue

What happens when everyday people dig into a city’s balance sheet? In Columbus, it sparked a three-hour conversation—and maybe a shift in mindset.

Columbus, Ohio, is widely regarded as a fiscally responsible city. With top-tier credit ratings from every major agency and a growing population, it’s often seen as a model of municipal stability. But for the members of Strong Towns Columbus—a grassroots group advocating for long-term, financially resilient development—that reputation raised a different kind of question: What’s really behind the numbers?

.....

One key takeaway from the conversation was how Columbus’s financial profile differs from that of many other U.S. cities. While most municipalities separate utility services from city government, Columbus operates its own utilities—and even provides water to many surrounding suburbs. As their finance expert explained, this makes the city’s books resemble those of a utility company “that just so happens to have a parks and recreation department, firefighters, and police,” as an organizer for Strong Towns Columbus put it. “I’d be curious to see what this analysis would look like without our utilities,” he added.

More jobs coming to Columbus...

Hexion Selects Columbus Region for Global R&D Center

The Columbus Region

Hexion Selects Columbus Region for Global R&D Center

Hexion, a global leader in adhesives, manufacturing automation systems and AI technologies, announced its plans to establish a cutting-edge global research and development center in Dublin.

Hexion, a global leader in adhesives, manufacturing automation systems and AI technologies, announced its plans to establish a cutting-edge global research and development center in Dublin. This initiative will create 100 new jobs by the end of 2028 and marks a significant investment in innovation and sustainability-driven product development. With its corporate headquarters located in Columbus, this new facility expands the company’s Ohio footprint.

The facility will consolidate the company’s five existing global research laboratories into a single Innovation Lab, bringing chemical engineering, manufacturing, and materials science teams under one roof. This unification is designed to elevate the company’s research capabilities and foster deeper technical collaboration across disciplines. Hexion also anticipates that its new research hub will improve industry partnerships and the pace of new product development, positively affecting industries including building & construction, automotive, energy and industrial manufacturing.

On 5/28/2025 at 2:02 PM, Pablo said:

This is an interesting assessment of the City of Columbus' fiscal health. It's the nuts and bolts of a city's infrastructure that allows it to grow and prosper. Aging pipes and roads are a liability to a municipality and apparently Columbus is on the right track. This stuff isn't sexy but it make me feel pretty good about our leadership over the last 50 years that positioned us in a good place. It makes me feel better about voting for bond packages. This is what attracts new business to the city and region.

Strong Towns

Columbus Locals Turn Data into Dialogue

What happens when everyday people dig into a city’s balance sheet? In Columbus, it sparked a three-hour conversation—and maybe a shift in mindset.

Man Columbus just plows through recessions doesn't it? The city was in strong financial shape in the late 2000s-early 2010s according to those graphs. Growth continued here (not SFH -- which was dead in the water everywhere -- but rather in multifamily). And you couldn't even tell the early '90s recession was happening here. We lost an enormous amount of blue-collar jobs in the 2000s (Lucent, Delphi, Buckeye Steel) yet kept growing. This makes me suspect of claims that we had to drop our streetcar plans because of 2008 since the graphs show that Columbus' worst financial position debt-wise was actually around 2018. Perhaps a tough lending environment around 2008 was to blame and prevented the city from taking on more debt, then in the ZIRP times of 2018 the city over-used the resource.