Area’s growth bucks trend

More than one-third of Ohio counties lost population

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Tim Doulin

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

In a state where more than one-third of counties’ populations are declining, central Ohio continues to be a rare bright spot.  Delaware County’s population reached 150,268 in 2005, up 5.3 percent in a year, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today.  Though the growth rate has declined — it was 6.7 percent in 2001 — Delaware remains the fastest-growing county in Ohio and 34 th fastest nationwide.

 

Read more at

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/16/20060316-B1-01.html

Franklin County is lucky to have even seen any growth in 2005. With Ohio's less-than-stellar economy, the future population growth in any of Ohio's urban counties is probably quite grim. I would expect Franklin County to loose population in 2006. However, here's hoping that with the recent uptick in downtown and near-downtown living in just about every major metropolitan area in Ohio, the population drain will be mitigated.

While I guess I can accept their excuse for the move, and the fact that the vacated space will be filled in, still...bad AEP  :whip:!

 

AEP building operations center in New Albany, will move 115 jobs

Business First of Columbus - 2:27 PM EST Thursday

 

American Electric Power Company Inc. is building a new operations center in New Albany, which will result in 115 jobs moving from downtown Columbus.  The Columbus utility said Thursday it expects the 83,500-square-foot center on the eastern edge of New Albany to be ready in 2007.  It expects to break ground on the $44 million project by late summer.

 

The operations center will house transmission operations employees who work at AEP's downtown headquarters at 1 Riverside Plaza. Michael G. Morris, AEP's president and CEO, said in a press release the new center was necessary to comply with transmission reliability standards.

 

More at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/

What?  They couldn't find a location near downtown?  Still a lot of available land near the Arena District.  But no..... let's just contribute further to sprawl..... 115 more cars a day in and around New Albany.

^230 reverse commute

The Columbus CSA population is 1,936,351. It seems all the metro's are slowing down.

"transmission reliability standards"

 

bunch o' nonsense.

maybe Lhota can come back and convince odot to allow these moved workers to drive on the median, saving time, and lowering our energy rates in the end. :shoot:

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/03/13/daily34.html 

 

 

Great Southern gets Marcus as new owner

Business First of Columbus - 5:06 PM EST Fridayby Kathy ShowalterBusiness First

 

The company that owns historic hotels in Kansas City and Milwaukee plans to buy and renovate the historic Westin Great Southern in downtown Columbus.

 

Marcus Corp. of Milwaukee said Friday it has agreed to buy the Westin Great Southern from Berwind Property Group Ltd. of Philadelphia

 

Marcus wouldn't disclose what it will pay for the 186-room South High Street hotel...

 

 

SURVIVAL MODE

Beleaguered DOMINION HOMES designs a plan to restore its reputation

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Jill Riepenhoff

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

After months of blaming the economy and home buyers for high mortgage default rates, Dominion Homes is now pointing the finger at itself. "We made mistakes with our customers," Senior Vice President Thomas L. Hart told The Dispatch. "We have some major things to fix, but they are fixable."

 

The company crafted a plan to rebuild its reputation, which was hurt by depreciating house values and foreclosures in many of its subdivisions, investigations of its business practices and three class-action lawsuits.

 

MORE: http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/26/20060326-B1-02.html

 

Columbus tops for Latino businesses

Friday, March 31, 2006

 

Columbus leads the state in growth of Latino-owned businesses, which increased by 130 percent from 1997 to 2002, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  And Latinos opened more businesses in Franklin County than any other in Ohio, except Hamilton, during that period.  The trend is reflected nationwide.  The number of Latino-owned businesses grew 31 percent between 1997 and 2002, three times the national average for all businesses.  Ohio overall had a 10 percent gain in Latino-owned businesses.

 

Much of that can be attributed to the state’s growing Latino population, drawn to Ohio by economic opportunities, especially in the Columbus area, said Ezra Escudero, executive director of the Ohio Commission.  Columbus is home to more than 60,000 Latinos.

 

More at www.dispatch.com

 

---

 

In the market

Demand for Latino foods gives rise to central Ohio grocery chain

Friday, March 31, 2006

Stories by Tracy Turner

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Frederico Rodriguez comes specifically for the cactus leaves.  He uses tongs to carefully pick a leaf from the produce shelf, shakes the needles loose, and flips it over to see the texture on all sides.  Once satisfied, he tosses it into a plastic bag.  "I come here at least three times a week," the native of Mexico said as he shopped at the newly opened La Michoacana Mexican Market.  "When I first came to Columbus, he (the owner) just had the one small store, but now he has so many."  Five, to be exact. 

 

With its expanded produce aisle, in-house butcher cutting exotic meats to order, full-service restaurant and row upon row of domestic and imported items commonly used in Latino kitchens, La Michoacana on Morse Road is the newest entrant in central Ohio’s growing Latino grocery market.  The first La Michoacana Mexican Market started as a small store on the West Side in May 2000.  Now, Alcauter has five Mexican markets in neighborhoods across Columbus, each store larger than the last.  The Morse Road store opened in February in a former Sun TV building that Alcauter purchased; he invested $500,000 to convert it into a grocery.

 

More at www.dispatch.com

so true:

 

"Wherever you see a growing immigrant population, it’s a positive sign meaning a stimulus for the economy," he said.

 

i am glad to see more of a permanent hispanic presence happening around ohio since i lived there. we were it in lorain for the longest.

 

 

 

I wonder where the stats for these articles come from....it stated that Columbus has 60,000 hispanics...when not too long ago I read that Cleveland(somewhere around 35,000) had the most hispanics followed by Lorain?

I can't see where in columbus they are?  I mean being latino, I think the population is cleveland is quite large and visible especially on the near west side.  In addition, we have a lation elected official, which always makes the the residents (legal or not) that much more comfortable and willing to invest in their community.

I can't see where in columbus they are?

 

Look harder. I'll give you some hints: Lincoln Park on the Far West Side and in Northland along Morse Rd. are good places to start.

 

I mean being latino

 

That's nice. Soy Boricua. Mi papá creció en Isla Verde, mi mamá en Hormigueros. Ella se mudó a Ponce y entonces a Mayagüez para atender la universidad por alla. Me 'magino, viviendo en Cleveland, que tú eres Puertorriqueño tambien?

 

The long story short of the matter is Cleveland's Latino population is whole other ballgame compared to the population in Columbus.

 

Most Hispanics in Cleveland are of Puerto Rican descent, whose population sprouted in the 50s and 60s and has matured into the population you see today. Columbus' population is by in large of Mexican descent and only recently (over the past 10 years) has started to take roots and flourish. Columbus holds the annual Festival Latino, the largest such program in the state, drawing over 300,000 people downtown. Columbus also has two spanish-speaking radio stations: La X 103.1FM and Radio Sol 1550AM. As mentioned in the article, Columbus also now hosts a chain of Latin grocery stores as well. So the population is here, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

so you are originally from the cleveland area then cmh?

 

amazing the growth of the columbus immigrant population since i have left 10+yrs ago. somali and now hispanic. lord knows columbus needed it and ohio needs it. its great to hear this kind of news.

 

otoh, cleveland i must say, as with many other things, seems quite moribund on attracting new foreign immigration these days and that is a serious problem. imo it's more about political lethargy than jobs. i mean, when columbus volunteered for a much needed shot of instant culture by accepting the somali refugees, clev was silent. not good to let that opportunity pass. i know the russian jews were coming in for awhile in the late 90's but that dried up. maybe it just lacks publicity but i dk who or what group is moving into cleveland today as far as foreign immigration?

 

 

 

 

I can't see where in columbus they are?

 

Look harder. I'll give you some hints: Lincoln Park on the Far West Side and in Northland along Morse Rd. are good places to start.

 

I mean being Latino

 

That's nice. Soy Boricua. Mi papá creció en Isla Verde, mi mamá en Hormigueros. Ella se mudó a Ponce y entonces a Mayagüez para atender la universidad por alla. Me 'magino, viviendo en Cleveland, que tú eres Puertorriqueño tambien?

 

The long story short of the matter is Cleveland's Latino population is whole other ballgame compared to the population in Columbus.

 

Most Hispanics in Cleveland are of Puerto Rican descent, whose population sprouted in the 50s and 60s and has matured into the population you see today. Columbus' population is by in large of Mexican descent and only recently (over the past 10 years) has started to take roots and flourish. Columbus holds the annual Festival Latino, the largest such program in the state, drawing over 300,000 people downtown. Columbus also has two spanish-speaking radio stations: La X 103.1FM and Radio Sol 1550AM. As mentioned in the article, Columbus also now hosts a chain of Latin grocery stores as well. So the population is here, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

Si, soy Boricua y morreno!  Ay dios mio!  tu Jibaroh!  :-D  Now I know why you have an "attitude"!!  weepa!!  LOL

 

Yes majority of Cleveland's Latino population is PR, but there are lot of Domincan's, Venezuelan's, Mexicans and Columbian's here and rather large Brazilian & Cuban populations.  There are low key El Salvadorian, Hondurian, Costa Rican & Panamanian barrios popping up in the St. Clair-superior area.  However, Detroit shoreway will always be the largest concentration of Latin's in Cuyahoga County.

Are we having a Latin power struggle entre Columbus y Cleveland?  I love being a white Irishman and able to understand Spanish!!  (plus the women are HOT too!)  I didn't know Cbus had a big Latin (or Chicano?) population....didn't mean to start another Spanish/American war!  LOL

so you are originally from the cleveland area then cmh?

 

Born and raised in Columbus, actually. My parents moved stateside several decades ago and settled in Columbus. Though I remember traveling to Cleveland many times to go to the Puerto Rican markets on the near west side to get Old Colony Grape soda (don't know why it's so popular in PR) and macaroons  :-P.

 

Are we having a Latin power struggle entre Columbus y Cleveland?  I love being a white Irishman and able to understand Spanish!!  (plus the women are HOT too!)  I didn't know Cbus had a big Latin (or Chicano?) population....didn't mean to start another Spanish/American war!  LOL

 

LOL, I wouldn't call it a "power struggle" per se; it's more of an in-depth discussion on the many intricacies of Latin culture infused in the two metropolises  :wink:.

 

Si, soy Boricua y morreno!  Ay dios mio!  tu Jibaroh!    Now I know why you have an "attitude"!!  weepa!!  LOL

 

:-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D  :clap: :-D :clap:

aww they're both talking about pr jdd, they know latino but what do they know of mexican? pr's are born usa citizens too -- lol! si, i am kidding mi companeros.

 

i remember i met an ex-clevelander bartendress of irish heritage in an irish pub in the uber-hipster palermo, buenos aires, argentina nabe last summer (she had worked at an irish pub near the old euclid tavern since she was a kid -- i forget the name of it). she knew of a few other ex-clevelanders living down there too. so i got a hint that recent immigration as far as cleveland goes is at least going in some cool opposite directions. hey she was an exotic foreigner down there!

 

so i wonder if there are any recent inward immigration stats? if so it's a lot more low key than columbus news.

 

actually, all those numbers are way too small anyway, ohio is not doing enough to attract more foreign immigration. i hope it keeps up but esp hope that it all picks up the pace.

 

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/04/10/daily12.html 

 

Anchor Hocking parent files for bankruptcy protection

Business First of Columbus - 5:26 PM EDT Tuesday

 

Global Home Products LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on Monday.

 

The Westerville-based parent of glass-maker Anchor Hocking Co. said in court documents that it lost $60.5 million during the first 11 months of its fiscal year ended March 31, on revenue of $452.8 million. In the first 11 months of its previous fiscal year, it lost $4.9 million on revenue of $489.2 million.

 

More at link above:

 

Employees are optimistic about future of Anchor Hocking

From staff and wire reports

 

LANCASTER - Anchor Hocking employees met with company leaders Tuesday about the impact the bankruptcy filing will have on Lancaster operations.

 

Houseware maker Global Home Products LLC, parent company of Anchor Hocking, filed Monday for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del.

 

More at:

 

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060412/NEWS01/604120311/1002/rss01

 

I was wondering what made Metro Columbus grow so fast economically and population wise compared to the rest of  Ohioand the Midwest/Northeast? What will keep the place growing in the future?

I was wondering what made Metro Columbus grow so fast economically and population wise compared to the rest of  Ohioand the Midwest/Northeast? What will keep the place growing in the future?

 

Government, research, and retail.

Don't forget insurance.

Don't forget insurance.

How could I forget Nationwide buying up the NW quadrant of DT Columbus. :-)

In general, Columbus diversified its economy faster than most Midwest cities.  So of course its reliance on a certain industry isn't going to affect its economy.

how fast is it really growing?  how does it compare to indy and cincy based on raw numbers, not necessarily percentages?  cincy and indy also seem to be growing faster than most midwest places like detroit, pitt, cleveland, st louis, toledo, etc.

I don't think it's rapidly growing, as much as it's staying afloat.  Government, Healthcare, and Insurance jobs (all white collar), always seem to do the best in times of recession.  Other cities in Ohio are more manufacturing based and have really felt the hit in recent years.

how fast is it really growing?  how does it compare to indy and cincy based on raw numbers, not necessarily percentages?  cincy and indy also seem to be growing faster than most midwest places like detroit, pitt, cleveland, st louis, toledo, etc.

In just raw numbers, the Columbus MSA gained (an estimated) 81,000 from 2000-2004, compared to 48,500 for Cincinnati and 96,500 for Indianapolis.

Does anyone know if its growing slower, as fast or faster than it did in the Nineties?

Ohio State

The growth of the region as a whole has slowed down since the go-go 1990s and the ensuing recession, which hit Columbus particularly hard in the retail and research fields. Interestingly enough, growth has been much more apparent over the last 1 or 2 years in the city core than essentially in the entire previous decade. Foreign immigration too has helped the city chug along as well, spearheaded mostly by Somoli and Mexican movement into the city.

 

And yes, we cannot Ohio's flagship school, The Ohio State University.

Foreign immigration too has helped the city chug along as well, spearheaded mostly by Somoli and Mexican movement into the city.

 

Good point.  I forgot all about that.  I read somewhere that Columbus ranks #2 behind NYC for Solmolian immigrants.

^ I thought it was #2 behind Minneapolis.

From the 4/19/06 Newark Advocate:

 

Company eyes Pataskala for up to 700 jobs

By CHAD KLIMACK

Advocate Reporter

 

PATASKALA -- An unnamed Japanese high-tech company is interested in bringing hundreds of new jobs to Pataskala.  The company could employ up to 700 employees within three to five years and invest $28 million in buildings and $114 million in machinery and equipment, according to paperwork supplied by the Licking County Planning Commission.

 

Pataskala City Councilman Chip Fraley has been monitoring negotiations between the company and city and county officials, among others, and Fraley said the company would put Pataskala on the "high-tech" map if it decides to build a facility in the city.

 

MORE: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060419/NEWS01/604190305/1002/rss01

 

^That's correct.

Any news of new job creation is good news!  Even if it isn't exactly where I would like it to go....no one cares what I think anyways (businesses at least).

Pataskala? Whodathunkit!

 

Oh well, hooray for Japanese money!

Hmmm I bet they're affiliated with NTT.

 

On a less serious note...I'm sick of hearing the word "luncheon" ...you fuckin had lunch...it was probably some rolly polly sandwiches and chips, just call it a lunch.

cheap land to build on is the only reason i would assume the company would choose Pataskala.  Oh yea, that and its proximity to Cbus. 

 

This isn't that big of a trend right now but it's going to get a lot worse in the future. Japan (and even American companies out to make money) could give a shit less about supporting American cities, it's all about the money. I'm surprised they even chose to go as close to Columbus as Pataskala;it is only 25 minutes from downtown Columbus. Rural areas desperate for development will kiss ass and do whatever you want them to do. In rural areas (not so much Ohio but the states with worse economies and less density) most people make near minimum wage. Cheap workforce + cheap land acquision - moral principle = $$$$  I can't say I'm mad at them because even though it promotes sprawl, it's still better than outsourcing to other countries in my opinion.

Dominion Homes loses $3.9M in 1Q, predicts loss for year

Business First of Columbus - 12:22 PM EDT Tuesday

 

Dominion Homes Inc. lost $3.9 million in the first quarter as the homebuilder's sales and building activity continued to slow.  Dublin-based Dominion (NASDAQ:DHOM) said the loss worked out to 49 cents a share, reversing a $642,000 profit, or 8 cents a share, in the first quarter last year.

 

It blamed the loss on finishing fewer homes than expected and a 5.5 percent drop in profit margins because of "competitive pricing pressure" from the slowdown in new home sales in Central Ohio and Kentucky.  It said that was especially true in the Columbus area, as several competing homebuilders have been offering steep discounts.  Dominion also builds in the Lexington and Louisville, Ky., areas.

 

MORE: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/05/08/daily11.html

MAY UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT

Jobless rate dips in state, central Ohio

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Denise Trowbridge

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Ohio job seekers might have a little more reason to hope.

 

The state’s unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in May, down from April’s 5.5 percent, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. ...

 

www.dispatch.com

So Ross fired 250 people last year...is rehiring 100 people...and wants these 100 "new" jobs to qualify for an incentive package?!?!  That's criminal.

I agree with that last post. They should have to have some sort of "net gain" based on the median number of jobs they have had over a certain period of time, like 5 years or something.

Nationwide loophole could be its own noose

Sunday, June 25, 2006

MIKE HARDEN

 

LONG BEACH, Miss. — Nationwide’s advertising reminds consumers, "Life comes at you fast."

 

140 mph, say some of the company’s Mississippi Gulf Coast policyholders.

 

Almost 250 of those Hurricane Katrina-battered folks are contending — through a classaction lawsuit — that, when life came at them fast, their Columbus-based insurer didn’t come at all.

 

...

 

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/25/20060625-D1-00.html

These insurance companies are dodging their responsiblilities. The more i hear about these stories the more i think people will get bonds instead of insurance.

Typical homeowners policies specifically exclude flooding and water intrusion. I'm not in a flood zone, but did get the water intursion coverage for basement issues (even with a sump pump that has a battery backup); the cost was minimal and my Agent practically told me to get it.

 

If the agents told them they did not need flood insurance, that is a much different story; but it will end up their word against ours -- and who will win will be whoever lawyered up the hardest (guess who that will be)

From the 7/6/06 Dublin Villager:

 

Grigsby: Wendy's layoffs will 'impact' Dublin

City finance director says loss of up to 375 jobs will affect '03 tax-break deal with fast-food chain

Thursday, July 6, 2006

By MICHAEL RACEY

Villager Staff Writer

 

Dublin-based Wendy's International Inc.'s decision to lay off up to 375 will affect the city's bottom line but by how much is unknown at this time, according to the city's finance director, Marsha Grigsby.

 

Wendy's announced plans on June 27 to lay off 350 to 375 employees, most of whom work at the fast-food chain's headquarters at 4288 W. Dublin-Granville Road. The company stated store-based employees will not be affected by the layoffs.

 

In a June 27 release, Wendy's said the company offered 175 full-time employees a voluntary early retirement package in May, calling it and the layoffs a "key step in its program to achieve $100-million in cost savings" by 2007, according to Kerrii Anderson, interim chief executive officer and president of the company.

 

MORE: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?edition=Dublin&story=thisweeknews/070606/Dublin/News/070606-News-184850.html