August 14, 200915 yr NetJets setting up HQ in Columbus Business First of Columbus Thursday, August 13, 2009, 4:52pm A week after the founder and CEO of NetJets Inc. resigned from the company without warning, the aviation business has made plans to move its headquarters to Columbus. A NetJets spokeswoman, in a message to Columbus Business First, said Thursday that the company has decided to move the corporate office from Woodbridge, N.J., where former CEO Richard Santulli kept an office. NetJets’ operational headquarters are in Columbus. Further details of the company’s plans weren’t made available. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/08/10/daily36.html
August 15, 200915 yr Guv: ‘Limited number’ of NetJets jobs likely coming Business First of Columbus - by Brian R. Ball Friday, August 14, 2009, 3:14pm Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland expressed optimism about the future of corporate aircraft operator NetJets Inc., a day after the company made public that it would move its headquarters to Columbus from New Jersey. But he said a meeting with the company’s new executives left little doubt the division of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. will experience continued strain on revenue and profits amid the recession. In an interview Friday, Strickland said he met Thursday morning with David Sokol, NetJets’ interim CEO, and other executives to discuss the company’s decision to move to Columbus amid an economy that has cut into sales of new aircraft as well as operating revenue. “I was absolutely, incredibly pleased that they would be moving the headquarters,” Strickland said. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/08/10/daily47.html?surround=lfn
August 28, 200915 yr Former Battelle exec Fischer takes role in Columbus Partnership Business First of Columbus Friday, August 14, 2009 In the wake of the planned retirement of the Columbus Partnership’s CEO, the organization will hand its economic development efforts to a former Battelle executive. Economic development is a primary focus of the private business group. Alex Fischer, who left Columbus-based Battelle in March, will work on the CEO organization’s development initiatives, Columbus Business First has learned. Observers have pointed to Fischer as a possible successor to the partnership’s outgoing chief, Robert Milbourne. A spokeswoman for the organization wouldn’t comment on that speculation Friday, adding that a replacement for Milbourne hasn’t been named and his retirement date has not been determined. Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/08/10/daily41.html
August 31, 200915 yr Big Lots reports record profit Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Tim Feran, The Columbus Dispatch Lower fuel costs, cost-cutting and higher markups on merchandise helped Columbus headquartered Big Lots achieve a record profit despite sluggish sales in the second quarter. Shares of Big Lots rose 6.5 percent on the earnings report, which surpassed expectations. The company also raised its earnings forecast. Big Lots earned $28.4 million, or 34 cents per share, in the quarter, compared with $26 million, or 32 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier. "We're a long way from being done, but we do look a whole lot better than we did a year ago," said Chief Executive Steve Fishman. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/08/26/BIG_LOTS_2Q.ART_ART_08-26-09_A8_CHESFDS.html?sid=101
October 1, 200915 yr Trio of area companies keep perfect score as gay-friendly workplaces Business First of Columbus Tuesday, September 22, 2009 The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign this week issued its Corporate Equality Index, which scored 305 companies out of 590 with a perfect 100. Central Ohio companies with a perfect score were New Albany-based Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Dublin-based Cardinal Health Inc. and Columbus-based Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. All three companies also scored 100 last year, which marked Cardinal’s first time on the list. Nationwide has received a perfect score six times since the index began in 2002, while Abercrombie hit 100 for the fourth time. Companies that received all possible points had non-discrimination policies, conducted diversity training and offered benefits to non-married partners, among other criteria. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/09/21/daily14.html?ana=tt3245
October 1, 200915 yr Worthington Industries returns to profitability First quarter brings $6.7 million in earnings Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 5:36 PM By Dan Gearino, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Worthington Industries returned to profitability in the fiscal first quarter, though sales were dramatically lower than last year's record-setting performance. The Columbus-based steel company had sales of $418 million for the quarter that ended in August, down from $913 million in the same quarter last year. Net income was $6.7 million, down from $68.6 million. The company is trying to bounce back from its first annual loss in company history. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/09/29/worthington_earns.html?sid=101
October 1, 200915 yr Chief picked for OSU, Battelle collaboration Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 3:01 AM By Dan Gearino, The Columbus Dispatch Ohio State University and Battelle have jointly hired a new executive to increase the already close cooperation between the two organizations. Blake Thompson comes to central Ohio from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, where he oversaw the interactions between the Battelle-managed lab and the University of Tennessee. He will focus on areas of common interest between the two institutions, which could include science, technology, economic development and industrial relations. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/09/30/BATTELLE_OSU.ART_ART_09-30-09_A8_2SF7NC9.html
October 17, 200915 yr <b>ECDI Launches Kitchen Incubator Program</b> By Walker | October 8, 2009 12:00pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ecdi-kitchen.jpg"> The Economic and Community Development Institute has been helping entrepreneurs in Columbus to start up and grow their businesses for the past five years. ECDI is now currently rolling out a new program to provide a wider range of development assistance. Their new Growing Entrepreneurs Initiative is launching with a focus on food-related industries and provides assistance to folks looking to take their kitchen ideas and turn them into a full time business. We sat down with Bob Leighty and Amy Szabo recently to talk about this new “Kitchen Incubator” program and what it can mean both for entrepreneurs as well as the community as a whole. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/ecdi-launches-kitchen-incubator-program
October 22, 200915 yr Recent Battelle contracts top $70M Business First of Columbus Friday, October 16, 2009 Columbus research and development giant Battelle has won several multimillion-dollar federal contracts that tap into the firm’s work on responding to chemical, biologic, radiological and nuclear events. The seven contracts Battelle disclosed total about $74 million and range in value from a $4.5 million deal for design of robotic systems to a two-year, $15 million U.S. Air Force contract for medical support in the event of contamination from a weapon of mass destruction. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/10/12/daily37.html?surround=lfn
October 22, 200915 yr Central Ohio’s jobless rate fell with state in September Business First of Columbus Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 10:59am EDT Central Ohio’s unemployment rate sank for the second consecutive month in September to hit 8.2 percent, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Tuesday. The department said the seven-county region’s jobless rate last month was down from 8.8 percent in August and up from 5.8 percent a year ago. Across the region, the jobless rate ranged from a low of 6.7 percent in Delaware County to a high of 10.3 percent in Pickaway County. Franklin County’s jobless rate matched the region’s. Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/10/19/daily11.html?surround=lfn
October 26, 200915 yr It's not misleading to report on official government labor statistics. You can argue that the numbers are flawed or need further analysis, but that would be an opinion oriented story, and not news reporting. If you want an opinion oriented story on the latest unemployment numbers from the MSM, then here's an article from the Sunday Dispatch - Ohio labor statistics: A working puzzle. It touches on the very issues you raise about the unemployment rate decreasing along with the total number of employees for the past two months.
November 13, 200915 yr Columbus Partnership names its new leader Friday, November 13, 2009 - 3:05 AM By Steve Wartenberg THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The Columbus Partnership didn't have to look far in its search to find a chief executive to run the civic organization. Alex Fischer, 42, a former Battelle senior vice president who is a consultant for the group, was appointed to the post yesterday in the group's board meeting. He replaces Robert Milbourne, who retired this year. Fischer resigned from Battelle in March after seven years with the research and development organization, saying that he wanted to travel less and spend more time with his family. Since leaving Battelle, Fischer has worked as an economic-development consultant to the partnership. The Columbus Partnership comprises about 30 local chief executives. The group's goal is to foster economic development in central Ohio, as well as to provide leadership for civic, educational and philanthropic initiatives. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/11/13/partnership_ceo.ART_ART_11-13-09_A10_NNFLJDR.html?sid=101
November 25, 200915 yr Course correction NetJets still has plans to grow in Columbus, new CEO David Sokol says. It'll just take a little longer. Sunday, November 22, 2009 By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH David Sokol has had to make painful decisions in his first three months as chief executive of NetJets, the Columbus-based company owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Sokol laid off more than 800 employees -- 495 pilots, who could be recalled as needed, and 350 others -- in the face of millions of dollars in losses associated with the recession. He also disappointed local officials, who had successfully lobbied the company to undertake plans for a $200 million expansion in Columbus, with news that any expansion would be more limited and take longer than anticipated. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/11/22/netjets_sokol.ART_ART_11-22-09_D1_5SFOD23.html?sid=101
January 12, 201015 yr Battelle helps refine 3-D camera technology that could change film-making Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 3:27 AM By Mark Ferenchik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Battelle researchers are working with a Canadian company to create a camera that might change the way movies are made, whether by Hollywood directors creating big-budget films or parents shooting a grade-school musical. The work involves high-definition, 3-D technology, the same that gives moviemakers the power to shoot eye-popping extravaganzas such as Avatar. The twist is the new work involves one camera and a single lens. For years, 3-D productions required two cameras, or single cameras outfitted with multiple lenses. The upgrade would make putting together a complex movie a lot easier -- and cheaper. Existing cameras could be retrofitted with the new equipment. Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/science/stories/2010/01/10/sci_threedcam.ART_ART_01-10-10_G3_P3G7TMC.html?sid=101
January 28, 201015 yr Group has a new plan to add jobs in region Columbus Partnership puts money into effort Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 3:15 AM By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The way central Ohio attracts and keeps jobs is expected to change in the near future, as part of a proposed shakeup involving local economic-development groups. The new economic-development plan, called Columbus 2020, was rolled out to the public for the first time yesterday by Alex Fischer, president and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, the local leadership group behind the plan. He said the 35 members of the Columbus Partnership -- mostly CEOs whose companies represent 20 percent of the central Ohio work force -- have committed to taking a new approach and "opening their checkbooks" to advance the cause. A "transition plan" to implement that new vision is under way, he said, and involves city and county economic-development departments as well as the Columbus Chamber, CompeteColumbus, TechColumbus and the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange. The goal is to unveil a new structure for regional development efforts by June. Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/01/28/fischer_metroclub.ART_ART_01-28-10_A8_01GE663.html
January 28, 201015 yr Group in wings to push regional development Business First of Columbus - by Kevin Kemper Thursday, January 28, 2010, 9:35am EST Central Ohio needs to do a better job of retaining businesses and selling itself as a technology center over the next decade, an effort that apparently will require another economic development organization. That’s the prescription recommended for the region by the Columbus Partnership, an organization made up of 35 top business executives from the region. Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer laid out a plan for the newly proposed organization, to be dubbed Columbus2020, during a Wednesday meeting of the Columbus Metropolitan Club. Columbus2020’s goals will include helping the region become what Fischer called a top 10 economic-development community, creating 180,000 jobs, and increasing per capita income by 40 percent – all within the next 10 years. A Web site for the organization has been established at www.columbus2020.org. Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/01/25/daily33.html
February 18, 201015 yr Battelle, OSU extend tech commercialization effort Business First of Columbus - by Matt Burns Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Two of Central Ohio’s largest economic engines are working together on a technology initiative that could pay dividends for both. Columbus-based research and development giant Battelle said it has signed a two-year deal to use the Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business to assess the market potential of technology in its development pipeline. The OSU center has been working for Battelle on the project since mid-2009 in a pilot and the agreement takes the arrangement into 2011. Spencer Pugh, Battelle’s vice president for international and industrial markets, said the partnership gives the research agency an important outside perspective it occasionally finds lacking when the focus is exclusively on technology. Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/02/08/daily26.html?surround=lfn
February 18, 201015 yr Nationwide puts Gates McDonald workers' comp business on block Business First of Columbus - by Adrian Burns and Carrie Ghose Friday, February 12, 2010 Nationwide is in talks to sell the workers’ compensation business of its Gates McDonald & Co. subsidiary to a competitor, Columbus Business First has learned. A deal with Sheakley Group of Cos. is expected to be finalized by the end of March, said Joe Case, a spokesman for the Columbus insurance company. The decision to sell the business is part of Nationwide’s move away from working as a third-party administrator for companies paying premiums to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Gates McDonald will focus on other elements of Nationwide’s worker health and wellness businesses. Nationwide acquired Gates McDonald in 1969. The 80-year-old business bills itself as the oldest and one of the largest third-party administrators for state-funded workers’ compensation plans. The majority of employers use third-party administrators for their workers’ comp claims. The companies seek to mitigate risk and manage administrative costs of workers’ comp programs. Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/02/15/story1.html
February 18, 201015 yr Israeli med device firm picks Columbus for U.S. HQ Business First of Columbus Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 4:09pm An overseas medical device firm is using Columbus as a gateway to its next development steps. Israel-based Sensible Medical Innovations has chosen the city as the site of its U.S. headquarters. Sensible Medical has created a device that monitors chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure externally, which could cut patients’ health-care costs and aid early intervention efforts. Tom Sudow, director of business development for Cleveland’s Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center, said Sensible Medical has 16 employees at its overseas headquarters and recently hired one employee to scout a permanent location in Columbus for its U.S. headquarters, potentially the TechColumbus incubator. The innovation center, a public-private partnership tied to the Cleveland Clinic, was the company’s first Ohio contact in 2008. Sensible Medical, founded in 2007, says it has successfully tested the device on animals and is preparing for clinical trials on humans. The company will be working on the clinical trial phase with Dr. William Abraham, a professor of internal medicine and director of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Ohio State University Medical Center. Proximity to Abraham, a renowned authority on congestive heart failure, was a key factor in Sensible Medical’s decision to choose Columbus, as well as the caliber of heart hospitals across the state, Sudow said. Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/02/15/daily18.html?ana=tt3245
March 1, 201015 yr This is north of 270 on the east side of N High in the area where suburban sprawl has been going up at an extremely fast pace and where lots of moneyed suburbanites have (re)located. Crosswoods strip center in foreclosure Business First of Columbus - by Kevin Kemper Friday, February 26, 2010 A strip center in the Crosswoods complex in north Columbus has gone into foreclosure. Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America Corp. on Thursday filed to foreclose on the 20,000-square-foot center at 110-158 Hutchinson Ave. Next to the Marcus Corp. movie theater at Crosswoods, the strip is home to a mix of restaurants. http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/02/22/daily42.html
March 3, 201015 yr ^ I grew up near this Worthington-ish area and I have to say, since Polaris, the Crosswoods area has really struggled to maintain some of its restaurants...these days most of what goes in there anymore rarely stays in business more than a couple years. Not surprised at all to hear that strip center is going into foreclosure
March 3, 201015 yr <b>Columbus Chamber Looks to 2020 and Beyond</b> By Walker | March 2, 2010 8:00am <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/featured/images/chamber2010.jpg"> The Columbus Chamber’s Annual Meeting took place last week, and over 1,100 business and community leaders were in attendance. The focus of this year’s event was on the rollout of the new Columbus 2020 project, and how the Columbus Chamber will continue to support our existing business base. Columbus 2020 is a new collaborative economic development strategy for the region, spearheaded by the Columbus Partnership. The program will place a new focus on attracting businesses to Central Ohio, while the Columbus Chamber will continue to work with growing existing businesses. We recently sat down with Ty Marsh, President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, to find out more about various economic development efforts throughout the Columbus region. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-chamber-looks-to-2020-and-beyond
March 3, 201015 yr OSU dials up research dollars Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 2:56 AM By Encarnacion Pyle THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Ohio State University's standing as a research institution keeps growing. Ohio State spent $703 million on research and development in fiscal 2008 - making it the 10th-largest research college in the country and seventh-largest among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In the past decade, Ohio State has shot up from 20th place. In the past three years, it has traded places with the University of Pennsylvania, which currently holds the No. 9 spot. GRAPHIC: TOP 10 RESEARCH SCHOOLS FULL ARTICLE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/02/28/osu-dials-up-research-dollars.html?sid=101
May 1, 201015 yr City, Columbus 2020 team up for job creation Business First of Columbus - by Kevin Kemper Friday, April 30, 2010 Columbus is getting behind a plan that would consolidate regional economic-development initiatives in a public-private partnership. At a roundtable discussion scheduled for April 29, city officials were expected to present a plan that aligns the city’s economic-development strategy with Columbus 2020, a new regional development organization. Under the plan, previewed for Columbus Business First by Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther, the Columbus Development Department would receive increased funding while partnering with Columbus 2020 to attract new employers to the region. “What’s key to us is coordination,” said Ginther, chairman of council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee. “Columbus 2020 is, I think, one of first times the region has worked together in a coordinated and cooperative way for business expansion and attraction.” The Columbus Partnership, an organization of 35 of the region’s CEOs and executives, formed Columbus 2020 in January. The fledgling group’s mission is helping the region become a top 10 economic-development community that creates 180,000 jobs and increases per capita income by 40 percent within the next 10 years. Read more: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/05/03/story8.html
May 13, 201015 yr 1 in 9 jobs lost over decade Some Central Ohio counties saw gains while Franklin County, State suffered Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 2:54 AM By Dan Gearino, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH All but 15 Ohio counties finished the past decade with fewer jobs than they had when they entered it, according to a new analysis of census data. Four of those 15 counties with higher employment - Delaware, Fairfield, Madison and Union - are in central Ohio. But the region's largest county, Franklin, lost 54,884 jobs in the decade that spanned 2000 to 2009. Delaware County experienced Ohio's greatest gain in employment, adding 34,485 jobs, or 96 percent, during the period. Franklin County was 30th, losing 54,884 jobs, or 8 percent. Franklin County did relatively well compared with other large urban counties, ahead of Hamilton (ranked 51st), Cuyahoga (61st), Lucas (70th) and Montgomery (77th). Those counties are the home of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Dayton, respectively. A big negative for Franklin County was retail employment, with a loss of 24,523 jobs in the sector. This was part of the larger trend of retail activity migrating to suburban counties. CHART: CENTRAL OHIO JOBS 2000-2009 Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/05/12/1-in-9-jobs-lost-over-decade.html?sid=101
May 13, 201015 yr Huntington to add 500 jobs Number of Columbus employees will grow to 4,000; bank commits to 20 more years Downtown Wednesday, May 12, 2010 - 2:54 AM By Marla Matzer Rose, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus got a double dose of good news yesterday when Huntington Bancshares announced plans to add 500 jobs in the next five years and committed to keep its headquarters Downtown for 20 more years. The job news keeps alive momentum among central Ohio financial-services companies and follows an announcement last week by Nationwide that it plans to fill 600 job openings in Ohio. Last summer, JPMorgan Chase said it would add more than 1,100 jobs in central Ohio. The commitment to remain in the Huntington Center helps continuing efforts to revive Downtown. The new jobs will bring the total number that Huntington employs in central Ohio to more than 4,000. Of that total, 738 work Downtown. As for the company's new commitment to the Huntington Center office tower, "We decided it was an important step," Steinour said, to "get in front" of the 2015 expiration date of its most-recent lease of the 200,000 square feet of space the company uses. The building adjoins Huntington's main Downtown branch office at Broad and High streets, where it has had a presence for more than 140 years. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/05/12/huntington-to-add-500-jobs.html?sid=101
May 25, 201015 yr Electric-car maker picks central Ohio for battery plant Project has hurdles to clear as civic leaders try to reel in 1,000 jobs Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 2:53 AM By Dan Gearino, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A former telecom-equipment factory on the Far East Side might return to life soon making batteries for electric cars, holding out the promise of 1,000 new jobs. Electric-car manufacturer Coda Automotive said yesterday that it has chosen to open a battery plant in central Ohio, a move that is contingent on the approval of federal and state aid. Although the company is looking at several local sites, the leading choice is the former Lucent Technologies factory on E. Broad Street. This is part of a running start for Coda, a company that began last year in Santa Monica, Calif., and plans to begin selling its first vehicle, a compact sedan, later this year. The car would have a range of up to 130 miles on a single charge. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/25/coda-columbus-art-gfl8l5kq-1.html?sid=101
June 15, 201015 yr ^ You're right to be skeptical based on the fledgeling nature of the technology and some recent history. But it would be great if it could happen. Although, it does sound like state and local officials are wanting to see real job results before their incentives kick in. From Business First: Coda Automotive must deliver on jobs promise to get benefits "Coda’s interest in Central Ohio brought glowing press releases and comments from government officials and Columbus executives. But similar hoopla accompanied two other recent major projects – the launch of Skybus Airlines Inc. in 2007 and the proposed expansion of NetJets Inc.’s operations in Columbus in 2008." "Mark Barbash, chief economic development officer at the Ohio Department of Development, said any state tax breaks, loans and grants to Coda Automotive Inc. would be based on the company’s performance – rather than just the hope the company may succeed. "It is really important to pursue new opportunities out there and to structure incentives that are performance-based – jobs produced and then incentives realized,” Barbash said. “We want this (project) to start right and be phased in with a good, well-funded business plan. We want the 1,000 jobs to stay.”
June 27, 201014 yr Consolidation will bring 70 NetJets jobs to Columbus Work to be shifted from South Carolina, Georgia operations Thursday, June 3, 2010 - 3:14 PM By Marla Matzer Rose, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH NetJets Inc. will bring up to 70 jobs to Columbus by October, as it shifts work from a southeastern U.S. operation to its headquarters on the Northeast Side. The world leader in private jet operations, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, is consolidating the operations of NJI Inc. locally. The unit, formerly named NetJets International, oversees the company's largest jets such as Gulfstream models that are capable of transcontinental flights. Full article: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/06/03/netjets-to-bring-70-jobs-to-central-ohio.html?sid=101
July 6, 201014 yr Author Bravo Brio Restaurant Group plans initial stock offering Company hopes to raise up to $172.5 million in IPO Tuesday, July 6, 2010 11:20 AM By Marla Matzer Rose THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus-based Bravo Brio Restaurant Group has filed for an initial public stock offering. According to documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company looks to raise up to $172.5 million. The chain was founded by the Doody family, which separately owns Lindey's Restaurant in German Village. Rick Doody remains chairman of the company. Entire article @: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2010/07/06/bravo-brio-will-take-restaurant-company-public.html?sid=101
July 30, 201014 yr Diverse economy helped Columbus, Ohio, in downturn By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Columbus is well known as Ohio's capital and home to one of the nation's largest universities, Ohio State University. But fewer realize that it has a diversified regional economy. That helped it avoid many of the economic aftershocks that came after the housing bubble. "I don't think anybody steered clear of it," says Sue Lusk-Gleich, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors. "But Columbus did reasonably well." Full article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/closetohome/2010-07-27-realestate27_ST_N.htm
July 31, 201014 yr Diverse economy helped Columbus, Ohio, in downturn By Christine Dugas, USA TODAY Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Columbus is well known as Ohio's capital and home to one of the nation's largest universities, Ohio State University. But fewer realize that it has a diversified regional economy. That helped it avoid many of the economic aftershocks that came after the housing bubble. "I don't think anybody steered clear of it," says Sue Lusk-Gleich, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors. "But Columbus did reasonably well." Full article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/closetohome/2010-07-27-realestate27_ST_N.htm How can the reporter say that the employment situation is better in C-bus than elsewhere in Ohio? It still hasn't created jobs on a year-over-year basis which is the only real indicator of recovery. In fact, it was one of the few Ohio metros where June looked worse than May in terms of jobs numbers. Also, the three C's are all diversified economies now. I'd like to tell that reporter it isn't 1970. Cincy and Cleveland are no longer manufacturing heavy. BTW, I'm not slamming C-bus, I'm slamming USA Today. Why even print this, it looks like a PR piece from a realty company.
July 31, 201014 yr There May Be ‘No Better Place,’ but There Is a Better Slogan COLUMBUS, Ohio — Quick, what do you think about when you hear the words “Columbus, Ohio”? Still waiting. ... And that’s the problem that civic leaders here hope to solve. This capital city in the middle of a state better known, fairly or not, for cornfields and rusting factories has a low cost of living, easy traffic and a comparatively robust economy. It variously has been pronounced to have the nation’s best zoo, best science museum and best public library. For sports fans, “Ohio State Buckeyes” says it all. What Columbus does not have, to the despair of its leaders, is an image. As home to major research centers, it has long outgrown its 1960s self-concept as a cow town, and its distinction as the birthplace of the Wendy’s hamburger chain does not quite do the trick these days. The city lacks a shorthand way to sell itself — a signature like the Big Apple or an intriguing tagline like Austin’s “Live Music Capital of the World.” As a result, those working to attract new companies, top professors, conventions and tourists have a hard time explaining how Columbus differs from dozens of other cities that likewise claim to be livable, progressive and fun. “Columbus has not had a bad image,” said Paul Astleford, director of Experience Columbus , which promotes tourism and conventions. “It has just had no image in the national marketplace.” EDIT: Corrected link
August 8, 201014 yr Hi everyone! Just wanted to share the news of a new project I've helped to launch called TheMetropreneur.com: <b>Welcome to the Launch of The Metropreneur!</b> Announcements — By Walker Evans on August 2, 2010 <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/metro-logo-new.jpg"> Welcome to The Metropreneur, your online resource for all things related to small business development and entrepreneurialism in Central Ohio. Our mission at The Metropreneur is two-fold. First, we will provide you with regular news and informational updates about the growing small business community in Central Ohio. That includes small business profiles, topical features, governance and policy updates, spotlights on women-owned and minority-owned businesses, how-to guides, and other types of interactive editorial features. Second, we want to play a proactive role in economic development in Central Ohio. All of our content is planned through the lens of inspiration and education. We’ve also assembled a Local Resource Database that has launched with more than 100 local resources ranging from financial assistance providers and workshops to classes and marketing resources, and more. READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/welcome-to-the-launch-of-the-metropreneur/
August 9, 201014 yr Hi everyone! Just wanted to share the news of a new project I've helped to launch called TheMetropreneur.com: <b>Welcome to the Launch of The Metropreneur!</b> Announcements — By Walker Evans on August 2, 2010 <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/metro-logo-new.jpg"> Welcome to The Metropreneur, your online resource for all things related to small business development and entrepreneurialism in Central Ohio. Our mission at The Metropreneur is two-fold. First, we will provide you with regular news and informational updates about the growing small business community in Central Ohio. That includes small business profiles, topical features, governance and policy updates, spotlights on women-owned and minority-owned businesses, how-to guides, and other types of interactive editorial features. Second, we want to play a proactive role in economic development in Central Ohio. All of our content is planned through the lens of inspiration and education. We’ve also assembled a Local Resource Database that has launched with more than 100 local resources ranging from financial assistance providers and workshops to classes and marketing resources, and more. READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/welcome-to-the-launch-of-the-metropreneur/ Hooray! Another Columbus-centric website from Walker Evans to bookmark on my browser. Among the initial choices of interesting articles is the Liz Lessner story "Picking Elizabeth Lessner’s Brain". Which, despite the zombie-like title, is a fascinating look at Liz Lessner's local restaurants (Betty's / Surly Girl Saloon / Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails / Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace). Anyone with an interest in urban Columbus has probably gone to at least one of these great places. And has probably taken some out-of-town visitors there too. Her restaurants offer up some of the most enjoyable but still reasonably affordable hot spots in the Short North and Downtown. Your interview with her was a great look at the behind-the-scenes of the restaurants and Liz's background. Well done!!
August 10, 201014 yr Your interview with her was a great look at the behind-the-scenes of the restaurants and Liz's background. Well done!! Thanks, but I can't take the credit for that one. Our new Editorial Director Melanie McIntyre did that Q&A with Liz. ;) Thanks for the kind words about the new project. We're excited to finally have it launched and share some small business inspiration and resources with our readers. :D
September 10, 201014 yr <b>ECDI Finds a New Home that Includes Food Incubator Space</b> Announcements — By Melanie McIntyre on September 6, 2010 <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ecdi.jpg"> The Economic and Community Development Institute in Columbus is scheduled to move into new offices Oct. 1. ECDI will trade its current offices at 475 E. Mound St. for a renovated two-story schoolhouse at 1655 Old Leonard Ave. “Besides the fact that it is a great building with a lot of character, it is going to allow us to actually do things that we’ve been talking about for a long time,” says Amy Szabo, director of development at ECDI. “The food cart commissary and commercial bakery space will be a safe and affordable place out of which local food carts, bakers, and catering businesses can do business. It’s kind of like a co-working space for food entrepreneurs!” READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/ecdi-finds-home-includes-food-incubator-space/
October 8, 201014 yr <b>Dublin Working to Ensure Business Community Growth</b> Regional Spotlight — By Melanie McIntyre on October 1, 2010 <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/dublin1.jpg"> If initiating infrastructure improvements, launching a citywide broadband network, and surveying its workforce are any indication, Dublin officials are vigilant about encouraging growth and entrepreneurialism. Read our interview with Dana McDaniel, the city’s deputy city manager/director of economic development, to learn what he considers Dublin’s greatetst assets, which areas the city is focused on redeveloping, and how the award-winning Dublin Entrepreneurial Center might be expanded in the near future. READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/dublin-working-ensure-business-community-continues-grow/
October 8, 201014 yr <b>A Fresh Start on Columbus Economic Development</b> By Walker | October 6, 2010 7:00pm <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/alex-fischer.jpg"> The futuristic-sounding year of 2020 is less than a decade away, and Alex Fischer wants to make sure that the city of Columbus is firing on all cylinders by the time we get there. As the President and CEO of the Columbus Partnership, Fischer has helped to spearhead the Columbus2020 project, which is a new regional partnership with a new focus on regional economic development. We recently sat down with Fischer to learn more about why Columbus2020 was started, how it will differ from previous efforts, and what lies ahead in the coming years. http://www.columbusunderground.com/a-fresh-start-on-columbus-economic-development
October 8, 201014 yr The DEC Fosters Small Business Development in Dublin Regional Spotlight — By Melanie McIntyre on September 13, 2010 at 12:00 pm <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dec.jpg"> The city of Dublin −in partnership with TechColumbus− created the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center to house, and provide resources to, innovative startup companies. Located at 7003 Post Rd., the four-story DEC building currently is home to 45 businesses; nearly an entire floor of the DEC is occupied by green technology startups and is commonly referred to as the “Green Integrator.” READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/dec-fosters-job-creation-dublin/
October 8, 201014 yr <b>Businesses in Historic Dublin Work Together to Promote Prosperity</b> Regional Spotlight — By Melanie McIntyre on September 10, 2010 at 8:00 am <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dublin-ohio-1.jpg"> Unlike several regional suburbs, Dublin has not neglected its original downtown. In fact, the Historic Dublin Business Association −made up of retail, professional, and service businesses− actively promotes economic growth in the historic district and works with city officials to ensure its members’ particular needs are met. We recently talked with HDBA president Eric Leslie, who has been involved with the association for three years, to discuss its inner workings, the issues of greatest importance to its membership, and how it drives traffic to the district, which is located along Bridge and High streets on the west side of the Scioto River. READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/businesses-historic-dublin-work-promote-prosperity/
December 5, 201014 yr <b>Picking Kacey Brankamp’s Brain</b> Frequently Asked Questions — By Melanie McIntyre on November 3, 2010 <img src="http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/kacey.jpg"> Kacey Brankamp knows the ins and outs of downtown Columbus’s retail scene like it’s her job. Actually, as retail recruiter for the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District, it is her job. “I play a matchmaker role with business owners and available space, but I don’t ‘do deals’ or earn a commission like a leasing agent or broker,” says Brankamp. She contends there is a large, unmet demand for retail services, but due to the long, painful and very public death of City Center, there is a negative perception of downtown’s retail health. READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/picking-kacey-brankamps-brain/
December 21, 201014 yr Chase will add jobs in Westerville Continuing tough economic times prompt need for the 120 additional positions, to handle loan 'default area' work. By BRET LIEBENDORFER, COLUMBUS LOCAL NEWS Published: Saturday, November 20, 2010 10:14 AM EST The current economic hardships are bringing more jobs to Westerville for the city's largest employer, JPMorgan Chase. The company plans to hire more than 100 new employees at its John G. McCoy Campus, a four-building office complex at 340-380 S. Cleveland Ave. in Westerville. "It will be 120 additional mortgage specialists that will work in serving the default area including (loan) modifications, short sales and foreclosures," said spokeswoman Mary Kay Bean. Positions include quality specialists who review mortgage documents to ensure compliance with company procedures, senior operations specialists who process documents used in loan servicing, and quality control managers who monitor workflow quality and consistency. MORE: http://www.columbuslocalnews.com/articles/2010/11/25/multiple_papers/business/allwechase_20101117_0303pm_2.txt
December 21, 201014 yr Cloud computing trend rains jobs on Central Ohio Business First - by Carrie Ghose Friday, November 26, 2010, 6:00am EST Steel rising from the earth at a Worthington data center, a new brick-and-mortar business in Upper Arlington, a fiber network drawing more tenants to New Albany’s business park – all are “the cloud” made solid in Central Ohio. In the past two years, cloud computing has gone from another buzzword to a growth driver for information technology businesses. Clients of all sizes have started shifting computing power from a major capital expense – think that roomful of humming servers – to a bill managed like a utility. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2010/11/26/cloud-computing-rains-jobs-on-central.html
January 7, 201114 yr And what is Columbus 2020 going to do with all of our under-performing urban neighborhoods? What plans, if any, do they have to address high levels of high school drop outs (30% to 50%) that contributes to the high-crime rates which scare off current and prospective residents and businesses? As for Downtown, when is Ms. Brankamp going to get the PSD off their asses and make High St, which still bans parking, more accessible for other users such as bus riders and cyclists? Whenever I go somewhere on High, unless it's one of very few places with a rack installed, it can be a real pain to lock up the bike and no, I'm not going to lock it on a filthy trash can. And does she even know the correlation between the dead one-ways and thriving Gay St which used to be on of those a few years ago? Streets like Spring and Long are found in NYC and hello, we don't have anywhere close to the same number of drivers on the road, so how about pedestrianizing these streets for urban businesses? Or has she already suggested that only to be ignored in favor of ODOT?
January 7, 201114 yr And what is Columbus 2020 going to do with all of our under-performing urban neighborhoods? What plans, if any, do they have to address high levels of high school drop outs (30% to 50%) that contributes to the high-crime rates which scare off current and prospective residents and businesses? As for Downtown, when is Ms. Brankamp going to get the PSD off their asses and make High St, which still bans parking, more accessible for other users such as bus riders and cyclists? Whenever I go somewhere on High, unless it's one of very few places with a rack installed, it can be a real pain to lock up the bike and no, I'm not going to lock it on a filthy trash can. And does she even know the correlation between the dead one-ways and thriving Gay St which used to be on of those a few years ago? Streets like Spring and Long are found in NYC and hello, we don't have anywhere close to the same number of drivers on the road, so how about pedestrianizing these streets for urban businesses? Or has she already suggested that only to be ignored in favor of ODOT? Did you even read the article? Also, if you have questions that the author didn't ask perhaps you should contact the author. Ms. Brankamp also let it be know that she can be contacted. Why don't you ask her these questions? You have been really venting on here lately and if you contacted the appropriate people, your views can be made know to them and your questions will hopefully be answered. That is a much more productive route.
January 24, 201114 yr Yes, and she's the one put in charge of attracting retail and the questions are rhetorical: they should already have been mentioned as top priorities with some serious changes on High St. There is no reason to bother contacting the city and what would you know about me contacting the appropriate people? I never saw you at any city council/community meetings when I was making contact with said appropriate people on important city matters. "More productive" is when I leave the state for a city where the leadership actually supports small business growth and urbanism in general.
January 25, 201114 yr There's a difference between unfounded negativity and reality. The reality is that retail-lined streets Downtown outside of Gay St have been ignored and today have a 50% or higher vacancy rate. The steps that could be taken to help reverse this reality are not mentioned. The city of Columbus is refusing to go against ODOT and make these streets amiable to high volume pedestrian traffic which is just about the only reason you would locate Downtown. If you guys want to take me to all the cool places that I don't know about on E Main, Long, and S High, please prove me wrong. Last time I checked (the other day) there are still a bunch of empty storefronts demonstrating that city leadership has no real interest in a 24/7 downtown like they claim. They've had plenty of time to likewise turn these areas around and have decided that suburban commuters are their top priority, not downtown entrepreneurs. It's been years and, like the local music scene website, I'm done waiting.
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