october 2015
BuildinG for the future
Growing companies choose to build their success stories here.� Kenny McDonalD Chief Economic Officer Columbus 2020
on a roll to exceed goals Page 8
In partnership with Columbus 2020
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HOME TO 43,000 people. More than 3,000 businesses. 7 million square feet of commercial space. A globally recognized fiber optic network. More than $7.8 billion in economic activity per year. Cardinal Health, a Fortune 26 company. More than 100 businesses at the Dublin Entrepreneurial Center. A top 20 U.S. “Creative Class” workforce. 2,000 acres of available land.
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Find out how Dublin can be a great home for your brand.
614.410.4618 • business@dublin.oh.us • www.DublinOhioUSA.gov
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Guidance that won’t leave you lost
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06 letter from Columbus 2020 CEo Kenny mcDonald 08 on a roll: update on Columbus region goals and progress 10 WE’rE no. 1! a look at Columbus region top rankings 12 mEEt thE tEam: Columbus 2020 board and staff 14 hoW it’s DonE: ambassadors help close deals
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A look at the builders, developers and engineers who keep the Columbus Region moving forward 16 Corna Kokosing Hiring and keeping good talent is a key for busy construction company.
18 ruscilli Construction Co., inc.
28 Connect realty llC and midohio Contracting services, inc. Hot Downtown development keeps both arms of company hopping.
Urban revitalization engages construction company and drives it home.
30 the Daimler Group, inc.
20 the new albany Company
32 the Pizzuti Companies
Growth comes from within the Columbus Region for suburban developer.
Developer finds lots of opportunities Downtown and in the suburbs.
22 Ctl Engineering
Forging collaborative relationships keeps builder busy in region.
A broad array of services allows engineering firm to serve many sectors.
24 Emh&t
26 Duke realty
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PARTNER PROFILES
Collaboration gives Columbus Region advantages over other areas.
Supplement design by Yogesh ChaudharY Photo courtesy of Columbus 2020
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Developer finds active niche in industrial and warehouse markets.
Healthcare and mixed-use development spur company’s growth.
34 lincoln Construction
36 resource international, inc. Engineering firm focuses on infrastructure and transportation.
38 miles mcClellan Construction Builder stays busy with healthcare and education renovations.
Produced by Columbus CEO magazine in cooperation with Columbus 2020
ColumbusCEO l Columbus 2020
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Š2015 OhioHealth
Our goal? Giving cancer ribbons a new purpose.
OhioHealth has teamed up with MD Anderson Cancer NetworkÂŽ to raise the standard of cancer care in our community + Combining the best of what WE do locally with the expertise of a nationally-recognized leader in cancer care + Designing personalized treatment plans using the latest guidelines developed by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, world-renowned for its cancer care + Giving you new hope, new options and cancer ribbons a new purpose
Connect with OhioHealth CancerCall at 1 (800) 752.9119 or visit OhioHealth.com/UnitedWeFightCancer
#UNITEDWEFIGHTCANCER Columbus2020_2015.indd 5
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Number employed and unemployed rates by county in the Columbus Region Delaware
96,904
Fairfield
72,181
Franklin
626,186
Knox
29,785
Licking
84,187
Logan
22,217
Madison
19,728
Marion
26,383
Morrow
16,207
Pickaway
24,821
Union
25,996
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2015, seasonally adjusted by Columbus 2020
5.4% 5.1% 4.1%
3.9%
4.9% 3.7% 4.0%
4.4%
4.1% 4.2%
Columbus business leaders Pull Together to boost Jobs and Development in Region The past five years have been good for our region and the thousands of citizens who’ve had the opportunity to return to work, start a business or expand their existing operation. Year after year, the Columbus Region continues to report increased jobs and decreased unemployment—and we’re on pace to have the strongest decade of economic growth in our history. We’re keeping score and so is the nation. The Columbus Region is ranked at the top of many honorable lists and, by many measures, we’re outpacing our competition. Those achievements are possible because growing companies choose to build their success stories here, and because the public and private investors of Columbus 2020 continually demonstrate their commitment to regional economic growth. The Columbus Region’s march upward is also due to the types of leaders that you’ll find highlighted in this publication. The people profiled within the following pages are a handful of many who are on the front lines of growth—those involved in the planning, building and infrastructure projects that support the Columbus Region’s unprecedented economic activity. To those who have already worked with the Columbus 2020 team, thank you. If you would like to learn more about doing business in the Columbus Region, please connect with us at (614) 225-6063 or columbusregion.com. Best regards,
4.7% Kenny McDonald, CEcD Chief Economic Officer
The Columbus Region continues to report increased jobs and decreased unemployment— and we’re on pace to have the strongest decade of economic growth in our history. 6
Columbus 2020 is a public-private partnership that leverages the strengths of the Columbus Region’s talented workforce, small and large businesses, research and academic institutions and international connections to ignite economic growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future for central Ohio.
ColumbusCEO l Columbus 2020
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Our vision for the future of Columbus is taking off.
AND ALL WE SEE IS OPEN SKY. We’re connecting Columbus with the world through smarter, easier travel: • Service on all major carriers. • Getting our passengers where they need to be with efficiency, while saving them money. • Nonstop service to top markets around the country such as Boston, New York and Los Angeles. • An exceptional travel experience for all our passengers, especially those who live, work and thrive right here in Central Ohio.
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on a roll Columbus Region is poised to exceed economic development expectations. By MARY YOST Columbus 2020 is an overachiever in the best sense of the word. Columbus 2020 is the chief economic development organization and jobs-growth cheerleader for the 11-county Columbus Region. In cooperation with an enviable stable of eager collaborators, it has been tenaciously tackling four ambitious goals for the past five years. Now at the midway point of a 10-year quest, the
Goals & Progress Generate 150,000 net jobs
Columbus Region continues on a track that will take it well past all four targets by the end of the decade. Reaching any one of the objectives would be impressive; greatly exceeding all four is almost unthinkable. As the region notches economic development win after win, it is creating an irresistible momentum and contagious civic confidence. When Forbes developed an inaugural list of top Opportunity Cities in late 2014 with Sperling’s Best Places, Columbus came in at No. 1—and close observers of the Columbus Region’s recent accomplishments weren’t surprised. Consider this midcourse update and you won’t be surprised the Columbus Region is a top opportunity area, either.
GROWTH IN JOBS The goal set for jobs growth in 2010 was to attract 150,000 net new jobs to the region by 2020. Through June, the count was already at 107,805 new jobs. That represents attainment of 71.9 percent of the goal just halfway to the finish line. At this pace, Columbus 2020 is predicting the actual increase in job growth could reach as much as 199,025 new jobs at the 10-year mark.
GROWTH IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT
107,805 as of June 2015 Pace: 199,025 Raise personal per capita income by 30%
14% increase as of December 2013
Pace: 59% *Data lags approximately 18 months
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The most impressive gains in the region have occurred in terms of new capital investment. The target set in 2010 was to generate $8 billion in new capital outlays in the region, which includes Franklin County at the core, surrounded by the contiguous counties of Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison and Union, and picking up Knox, Logan, Marion and Morrow counties to the north. Through July, new capital investments in the region come in at a striking $6.23 billion for a total new asset increase of 77.8 percent. If this pace continues, the region could well attract over $11 billion by the end of the decade.
GROWTH IN INCOME As new job opportunities steadily grow and more companies choose to locate or expand in central Ohio, the region can’t help but also enjoy growth in per capita income. The 10-year goal set at the start of the decade was for a 30-percent bump in the area’s average annual wage, starting from $38,346. Relevant data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis lags about 18 months, but by December 2013, the Columbus Region had already seen per capita income grow by 14 percent, rising to about $43,714 in just four years. It is a pace that could lead to nearly doubling that goal with 59 percent growth by decade’s end, leading to projected per capita income of $60,970.
GROWTH IN RECOGNITION Eyes are on Columbus these days, and it’s not just to see if the Ohio State University football Buckeyes will repeat as undisputed national champions. Increasingly the region is capturing praise on the economic development front, and that’s just what community and business leaders envisioned in the fourth goal for Columbus 2020—for the area to be a recognized leader in various indicators of prosperity. A sampling of the accolades pulled in already includes: The 2015 Intelligent Community of the Year, as determined by Intelligent Community Forum as a measure of the global broadband economy. Columbus has been a Top7 Intelligent Communities honoree since 2013. No. 2 Best Cities for Young Job Seekers, as determined in 2013 by Business Insider, staying high on a similar list at No. 3 Best Cities for Job Seekers by NerdWallet in 2015. No. 10 Great Cities for Starting a Business, based on a 2014 determination by Kiplinger of “hot spots for budding entrepreneurs.” Mary Yost is editor of Columbus CEO.
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Grounded in history, focused on the future.. From our headquarters in one of the most cherished historic buildings in Columbus, Bricker & Eckler LLP honors the past. But thanks to Columbus 2020, we know that the greatest days of our city are ahead. We applaud the tireless efforts of Kenny McDonald and his team to attract, retain and create better business opportunities in Central Ohio. Their commitment and dedication are producing measurable and undeniable results. Bricker is proud to have been an early supporter of Columbus 2020. And we are honored to be part of the team of businesses, developers and public entities that are engaged in economic development to make our city a better place. Contact economic development team can help your business or community.
www.bricker.com/developohio Twitter: @DevelopOhio Blog: www.DevelopOhio.com
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we’re no. 1!
©2015 ThinksTock.com
The Columbus Region gives giant foam fingers a real workout as top rankings are collected. By MARy yOST Everyone knows the Ohio State University Buckeyes football team is the 2014 undisputed national champion and a favorite to repeat this year. But that’s not the only No. 1 ranking the region boasts. Here are nine other top rankings that make Columbus an undisputed great place to live and do business:
Opportunity Forbes’ inaugural list of Opportunity Cities in late 2014 started with Columbus at the top. Partnering with Sperling’s Best Places, the ranking considers home prices, unemployment rates and population growth.
Technology In its 14th annual survey, the Center for Digital Government, the research arm of Government Technology’s parent company, e.Republic Inc., ranked cities according to population size and placed Dublin first for cities of up to 75,000. The award looks at community engagement tools, use of social media, collaboration between departments and geographic information systems.
Wages CNN Money looked at hourly wages in June 2015 compared to the previous June and found the highest growth was in Columbus, rising 6.2 percent, according to the US Department of Labor. That’s almost three times the average national growth of 2.1 percent, and almost twice what the Federal Reserve
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says would be healthy wage growth of 3.5 percent.
Intelligence The Intelligent Community Forum think tank tapped Columbus for 2015 top honors following a year-long evaluation based on data, site inspections and votes by an international jury. The award praised a regional approach to economic development, collaboration in broadband investment and education and partnerships for startup acceleration and neighborhood revitalization.
Economical Living Kiplinger looked at cities over 250,000 people and named Columbus one of its three Cheapest Big Cities in the US. The ranking is for cities offering urban amenities without typically higher urban expenses. Noted perks include discount tickets to the renowned Columbus Zoo and low-cost entry to the Ohio State Fair.
Low Insurance Costs NerdWallet examined auto insurance rates in the 25 largest US cities for topselling sedans, SUVs and pickup trucks and found the best deals in Columbus. Factors affecting rates include accident frequencies, theft rates and weather.
Teacher Attraction The Atlantic studied teacher salary data in a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality and graded Columbus highest for adjusted lifetime earnings coming in at $2.43 million. The report included 2013-2014 teacher salaries from more than 100 US school districts. It also included the largest district in each state and the 50 largest districts in the nation.
Short Getaway In its 2015 Travelers’ Choice awards, TripAdvisor Inc. found the nation’s best bed-and-breakfast at the Welsh Hills Inn in Granville. Reviews comment on attention to detail, beautifully maintained grounds and accommodations with top-notch food.
Spirits And to toast the region’s many accolades with a double shot of success, Columbus serves up the nation’s best distilleries with Watershed Distillery at No. 1 and Middle West Spirits at No. 2, according to SheKnows Media. The media company for women put the Columbus producers at the top of a list of the 10 best distilleries in the country. Mary Yost is editor of Columbus CEO.
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Global reach, Columbus roots From humble beginnings in 1971 right here in central Ohio, Cardinal Health has grown to become one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. With nearly 35,000 employees, we help providers across the continuum of care focus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency, and improving quality. While much has changed over the years, our dedication to the people and community of the central Ohio region has remained constant. With Columbus’ support, Cardinal Health continues to grow right where our roots are firmly planted.
Š 2015 Cardinal Health. All Rights Reserved. CARDINAL HEALTH, the Cardinal Health LOGO and ESSENTIAL TO CARE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cardinal Health. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Lit. No. 5PR15-377480 (08/2015)
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board members
Columbus 2020 team
Alex R. Fischer, Chairman
Kenny McDonald, CEcD
President and Chief Executive Officer The Columbus Partnership
Chief Economic Officer
Eric Phillips, Secretary
Executive Assistant to the Chief Economic Officer
Executive Director Union County Economic Development Partnership
Sean Grant
Marilyn Brown County Commissioner Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Michael B. Coleman Mayor, City of Columbus
Michael Keller Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Nationwide
Chief Administrative Officer
Jennifer Randall Staff Accountant
Megan Hurley Administrative Coordinator
Patty Huddle Vice President, Existing Business Services
Matt McCollister
Michael W. Louge
Vice President, Economic Development
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer OhioHealth
Matt McQuade
Gregory R. Overmyer
Deborah Scherer
Chief Executive Officer, Overmyer Hall Associates
Director, Global Markets
Ellen Power
Justin Bickle
Director, Boeing Guidance Repair Center
Director, Project Management
Tom Shoupe
Chris Strayer
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.
Client Solutions Officer
Mark A. Smith
Project Manager, International Lead
President, Ohio Christian University
Mark Smolik Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, Exel Inc.
Kristi Tanner Senior Managing Director, JobsOhio
Pablo A. Vegas President and Chief Operating Officer AEP Ohio, American Electric Power
Director, North American Business Development
Archit Dhir Tom Stipkovich Project Management Coordinator
Stephanie I. Bosco Economic Development Coordinator
Jeff Zimmerman Director, Columbus Region Logistics Council
Chip Holcombe Director, Investor Relations
David B. Williams, PhD, ScD
Irene Alvarez
Dean and Presidential Professor College of Engineering, The Ohio State University
Nick Reshan
EX-OFFICIO Patrick D. Cornelius
Director, Marketing and Communications Marketing Coordinator
Jung Kim
Partner, Squire Patton Boggs
Director, Research
Sean Grant
Laura Hess
Chief Administrative Officer, Columbus 2020
Research Analyst
Kenny McDonald, CEcD, President
Jay Knox
Chief Economic Officer, Columbus 2020
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Becky Blatt
Research Analyst
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With industry-leading technology infrastructure built for high-tech communication far into the future, New Albany can help your business grow.
New Albany is wired! If you want to see the region’s most technologically advanced business park, you should schedule a site visit in New Albany.
And built around a vibrant village center.
Getting there will be easy. After all, the business park is located along seven miles of freeway. Three highway interchanges. And access to State Route 161 and Interstate 270. Along the way, you’ll see other aspects of New Albany that make it an ideal place to locate a business. Like a remarkable school campus that reflects the community’s commitment to education. You’ll also see some of the country’s most beautiful neighborhoods. All master-planned.
What’s not easy to see is the real beauty of the business park. Its technological infrastructure. New Albany Net. Not only is it one of the most robust and affordable fiber optic networks in the nation, it also provides access to more than 200 carriers. Tremendous bandwidth. And the connectivity of a Tier 1 telecom provider. And the power is always on. Thanks to dual electric feeds throughout the business park. In the business world, it’s called redundant power. Here, we call it a given.
If you’re looking for third party endorsements, look at this list of companies that recently located in New Albany from out of state: Alene Candles Amazon Arminak Axium Bocchi Laboratories Jeye’s KDC PC Mall/Sarcom Pharmaforce Sonoco TJX Vee Pak
NEW ALBANY F OU N DE D 18 37
www.newalbanybusiness.org
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business ambassadors Columbus 2020 relies on local partners to encourage companies to locate or expand operations in the region. By MARy yOST + Photo By TIM JOHNSON As the region’s primary economic development expediter, Columbus 2020’s lean-but-specialized staff includes business development and project management professionals, investor relations and logistics experts, research analysts and marketing specialists. But when new business prospects are on the line, they often call in secret weapons. A cadre of local business and academic executives is ready to share data, perspective and personal stories that can put potential investors at ease and prod them to locate or expand their companies in the 11-county Columbus Region. A combination of working leads from their Downtown offices, traveling to tout Columbus’ advantages and hosting businesses with an interest in the region keeps business development specialists Deborah Scherer and Matt McQuade busy. As prospects visit from out of town or out of the country, “We almost always set up some kind of dinner and we always try to have one or two of these goodwill ambassadors at the dinner,” says McQuade, director, North American business development for Columbus 2020. Sometimes a business ambassador is “engaged before we are” and brings Columbus 2020 into conversations with a potential new investor in the area, says Scherer, director of global markets. Two who are called on frequently to help move new business prospects
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closer to committing to the Columbus Region are Japanese attorney Hikaru “Todd” Tokuda of Porter Wright or Ohio State University College of Engineering Dean David Williams. Whether meeting with a huge corporation or a small foreign company with limited understanding of US geography and culture, these volunteer ambassadors go beyond data and brochures to tell a compelling story of how Columbus meets or exceeds business needs.
i will talk about the history of Japaneseowned business in Columbus.” HIkARU “TODD” TOkUDA Japanese attorney, Porter Wright
Tokuda meets with companies looking to join the 150 Japanese-owned enterprises already in the region. Now a permanent resident with eight years in Columbus, Tokuda talks about the business environment, answers legal questions and addresses daily life as a local Japanese immigrant. His conversations are often in Japanese, which he says helps put his countrymen at ease. “I will talk about the history of Japanese-owned business in Columbus, saying that there are many companies who have been here more than 20 years,” Tokuda says. Noting the Japanese traditionally work with one employer for a lifetime, he dispels concerns that American workers are transient job-hoppers. “I explain that’s not always the case. There are many, many examples of long-term working relationships between Japanese-owned business and American managers or workers,” he says. Tokuda also talks up regional weather, with “no major climate risks such as hurricanes, earthquakes.” Winter snow in Columbus is still reasonably drivable, and summer in Columbus is preferable to the heat and humidity of Tokyo, he says. Homes in the area are large and reasonably priced, and for expatriates who must return to Japan after the typical 3-5-year stay, there are Japanese-language schools where their children can continue to learn their native tongue, he adds. A 2007 Duke University School of Law graduate, Tokuda notes Japanese groceries in the Columbus Region “are super great compared to what I went to in North Carolina.” Williams is often tapped to address the area’s ability to provide a highly educated and technical workforce for manufacturers and companies serving their pipeline, such as the automobile industry. Among the facts and figures he employs: “Ohio is the No. 1 state across the nation in supplying parts to Boeing and Airbus.” Ohio’s universities—including 15 engineering colleges—will provide 40,000 students to meet workforce demands in the next few years, and the schools
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routinely partner with industry and government agencies on research to tackle issues such as developing lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft engines, he says. “So, when Columbus 2020 wants to attract a company here, they will often ask me to meet with the site selector or the company representatives themselves so I can answer questions about the workforce, so I can give them the kind of numbers I’ve just given to you, which says we can bring a lot of power to bear to help attract companies,” adds Williams, who is also a Columbus 2020 board member. “When I came here, I was asked to step up to Columbus 2020 board in part because of my experience in my previous jobs of reminding people that universities are really an integral part of the whole workforce challenge that the nation has, particularly in the STEM areas,” Williams says. He notes university research funded by industry as well as state and federal governments is often focused in the area of jobs. “Across many states, universities are brought in because we can carry out the research which can help current industries to improve their technology and will help spawn new industries to continue to revitalize the economy.” In his meetings on behalf of Columbus 2020, Williams says target companies are often impressed “with the fact that we have those numbers, that we can bring them to the table and that Columbus sees Ohio State and the surrounding engineering colleges as a valuable partner, because I don’t think they see that everywhere. I believe that adds strength.” From his perspective, Williams sees clearly that “universities play a key role in providing obviously the high-end technical workforce. And when companies want to move to a specific area, they want to make sure the workforce is there. While I’m just one university out of 15 or so engineering colleges throughout the state of Ohio, we work together very closely with all of those.” He adds, “If you look around the nation, there are only two cities that are well over a million people that have the flagship university and the state capital in the same place, and Austin, Texas, is the other one. The combination of the state capital and the flagship university and the big city is rare, so that makes a
DAvID WIllIAMS Dean, Ohio State University College of Engineering very powerful leveraging tool to bring companies to where all the action is.” Williams explains his efforts are not altruistic. “My job within the university is to ensure that engineering and our faculty have their rightful place at the table. But many of our faculty get this. They get that engineering drives industrial development, that engineering drives jobs, and so all of our faculty do this…. It very often is a team effort.” Williams notes other important team members also help recruit companies to central Ohio. “Having JobsOhio housed here, having the Board of Regents here, having (Columbus) 2020 here and having Ohio State here and everything we can bring to bear, that is a rare combination and one that we perhaps haven’t used to full effect in the past, but I think now this is really ramping up. So when you get all of these arms working together and in lockstep and saying the same message, it’s a very powerful one.” Williams’ work with Columbus 2020 is not limited to meeting with companies thinking of relocating or expanding
here. He says Ohio State and a couple of other universities around the nation are exploring how to incorporate economic development into their curriculum. “I’ve never had formal economic development training but there are enough solid principles out there that we’re beginning to examine this, maybe putting a national network of a few universities together to drive the teaching of economic development as a profession. Kenny McDonald and 2020 are involved in this. We’re just starting those conversations,” Williams says. Collaborating with Columbus 2020 is consistent with Ohio State’s obligations as a land-grant university, he adds. “Economic development is key to all our futures, and if the economy isn’t robust our students can’t afford to pay to come here, or their parents can’t afford to pay. We’re part of the whole cycle and we’ve got to continue to play our teaching role and our research role and our outreach to the community.” He adds, “We’ve been doing that for 150 years, so we’ve always been doing it. We’re just a little bit more focused.”
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Corna Kokosing 6235 Westerville Road Westerville 43081 corna.com
Attracting and retaining talent is key to continued growth in the Columbus Region as construction booms in manufacturing and healthcare.
medical office buildings are the things you’re going to see growth in,” says Corna, whose company is currently building a new six-story office space for Nationwide Children’s Hospital at Parsons and Livingston avenues. “Manufacturing is really booming right now, as well,” says Corna. “Honda, with their parts suppliers, the micromanufacturing—that’s an area that’s really growing.” New Albany also has Corna Kokosing’s eye. “There’s a lot of industrial manufacturing happening in New Albany right now,” says Corna. “We have a lot of clients in that area.”
By STePH GReeGoR + Photo By TIM JoHNSoN Growing and retaining its 250+ workforce is key to continued growth for Corna Kokosing, says Josh Corna, president since July following his father’s more-than-30-year reign. The commercial construction company has a range of clients in industries such as education, healthcare and manufacturing. “It’s all about people,” says Corna. “We can only grow at the speed at which we can hire and attract really good people. So, we’ve been trying to hire recent college graduates and, at the same time, hire people with experience.” Corna says his company is built on a great work culture that entices employees to stay in it for the long haul—a quality he says is tantamount to continued growth in the Columbus Region. “Workforce development impacts everybody,” he says. “Continuing to attract and retain the best people is critical for all of us—it allows us all to grow.” Corna adds, “We’re taking on growth that matches up with our people’s skill set and the capacity we have to do the work,” citing healthcare and manufacturing industries, specifically. “In healthcare, we’re continuing to see the large hospital projects. The
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Continuing to attract and retain the best people is critical for all of us—it allows us all to grow.” JoSH CoRNA President, Corna Kokosing
Corna cites two projects—at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and at Port Columbus International Airport—as directly resulting from the economic growth experienced in the 11-county Columbus Region in the five years Columbus 2020 has been in operation. His company is about to start a $100 million renovation and addition on the north side of the convention center to create a new entrance and overhaul of the interiors “to bring everything up to par with the convention centers we compete with.” Corna Kokosing is also working at the airport on a complete renovation of the baggage claim area. “By the time it’s all said and done, all the public areas will be renovated,” says Corna. “That’s tied very much to attracting people to Columbus, whether to live, travel to or work here.” The Columbus native says he’s proud of what the city has accomplished. “We do work all over the country. We have one of the best workforces in the country,” says Corna. “As a company attracting people, and as a city attracting companies to come here, once they’re here, they’re happy and they want to stay.”
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Ruscilli Construction Co., Inc. 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Suite 300, Columbus 43220 ruscilli.com
Urban revitalization fuels growth for construction company and leads to a planned new home office site. By TC BROWn + Photo By TIm JOhnsOn The economic development success and growth for the Columbus Region can be attributed to many factors, not the least of which is recruiting and retaining a talented workforce. “Columbus 2020 does a fantastic job with this and that is helping to keep the brain drain from (happening in) Columbus,” says Lou Ruscilli, the CEO of Ruscilli Construction Co., Inc. “For success, that goes hand-in-glove.” This general and housing contractor company is in position to know. It was organized by the Ruscilli family in 1945 and is now in its fourth generation of family ownership. Ruscilli Construction runs its own carpentry operation, with engineers, laborers and interior specialty trades. It operates under a doctrine it calls “The Ruscilli Way” that is posted on each construction site, focused on safety, professionalism, integrity, quality, accountability and other standards. Those standards are still stressed as Columbus’ needs change. “The region seemed focused on multi-family growth and industry but now it seems we are moving into
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We have to have the right workforce to sustain it and attract the right companies to invest in central ohio.” LOU RUsCILLI, CEo, Ruscilli Construction Co., Inc.
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commercial and urban revitalization, not just in Columbus but also in the suburbs like Grove City and Dublin,” Ruscilli says. “That’s a lot of opportunity for contractors.” This year, Ruscilli and Borror Properties announced the first project to be developed west of Huntington Park near the Olentangy River. The $55 million investment will fuel construction for an 80,000-square-foot office building on a five-acre site that will include a 320-car parking garage and 290 apartments. It will also become the new home office for both companies, Ruscilli says. “We have struck a deal to buy the ground from the city,” he says. “The city has done a great job creating parks and bike paths and lanes and trying to bring more interest Downtown. We’re excited to be part of the urban revitalization.” Ruscilli Construction employs approximately 100 people and saw its biggest growth in 2011 and 2012. “Our company was fortunate to really start ramping up before the recovery kicked into gear, so we were well positioned and hit our ideal size before the recovery hit,” he says. “Our number of projects have not increased, but the size of the projects has increased.” The entire region is on an economic roll; the challenge will be maintaining momentum, Ruscilli says. “We have to have the right workforce to sustain it and attract the right companies to invest in central Ohio,” he says. “ To do that we have to stay on this proactive partner approach the city and the community have embraced these last couple of years.” Forecasts for future growth in the region and elsewhere are rosy, but the region’s leaders need to stay on top of things. “From the construction forecast point, every major sector is expected to grow in central Ohio, according to national economic publications,” Ruscilli says. “It makes you wonder if everything can be expected to grow, but it is good news.” Most likely, challenges will accompany the opportunities, he says. “The opportunities will be there but the challenge will be to align with likeminded clients,” Ruscilli says. “We will need to partner with them and choose wisely to put ourselves in a position to succeed.”
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The New Albany Company 8000 Walton Parkway, Suite 120 New Albany 43054 newalbanycompany.com
Expansion of existing companies will increase growth in the vibrant Columbus Region, New Albany developer believes. By TC BROWN + Photo By TIM JOHNSON Long gone are the days when people regularly saddled Columbus with the derisive label of “Cowtown.” Today, the Columbus Region is experiencing a boom in economic development and is at the top of the list of hot spots for brawny national businesses like Amazon or IBM, both of which have committed to major investments here, says Bill Ebbing, president of the New Albany Company. “Central Ohio has clearly had success bringing companies to the region,” he says. “With the recent announcements of Amazon and IBM, it’s a great opportunity to showcase the region as the next Silicon Valley.” Online retailer Amazon has announced a $1.1 billion investment would be made in New Albany, Dublin and Hilliard over three years. And IBM opened a Client Center for Advanced Analytics at Tuttle Crossing in 2012. There have been other successes attracting outside businesses here, too. “We are strong believers in the ongoing opportunity to bring additional mission-critical companies to the region
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Private entities and developers must spend more time planning for growth, which is valued by businesses.” BILL EBBINg, President, the New Albany Company
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and specifically to New Albany,” Ebbing says. “An even greater opportunity exists for growing the businesses that are located here in the region already.” The New Albany Company, a community developer focused on economic development and quality of life for the neighborhood, has certainly done its part. Its first home in the area was built in 1991 and the International Business Park was started in 1998, since attracting more than 8 million square feet of development on more than 3,000 acres, providing jobs for 14,000 people. And the Village Center, which includes Market Square, an arts center, school campus and retail, business and government offices, along with the 55,000-square-foot Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany, has also been critical to the economic growth and development in the area. Work continues in the center, Ebbing says. “It’s the heart and soul of the community. It continues to be a focus and we are expanding the mixed-use nature of the center,” he says. “One of our strengths is our commitment to a master plan to develop the quality of life here for residents, employees and for businesses to locate here.” Continued development in New Albany and the Columbus Region relies on the collaborative nature of groups like Columbus 2020 and JobsOhio and public-private partnerships, Ebbing says. “Each partner brings different strengths to the table, providing a formula necessary to close deals like Amazon Web Services,” he says. The New Albany Company itself is “pretty lean,” with 10 employees who work primarily on planning and design with various consultants, Ebbing says. Besides the solid collaborative aspects of the region, other keys to continue economic development success will be investments and planning for infrastructure from Downtown to the Outerbelt and a persistency in telling the story of the region, he says. “Private entities and developers must spend more time planning for growth, which is valued by businesses who want to locate here or grow their business,” Ebbing says. “We are now on the national stage and competitive on a very large scale. We need to keep telling that story nationally and internationally.”
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CTl Engineering 2860 Fisher Road Columbus 43204 ctleng.com
With a diverse array of services, engineering firm responds to serve growth in healthcare facilities as well as other industries, including insurance. By TC BROWn + Photo By TIm JOhnSOn The economic development engines in the Columbus Region are steadily chugging away, and CTL Engineering is one of the companies delivering the necessary steam to keep things moving along the rails. The company, which provides engineering consulting, inspection, testing and analytical laboratory services, has been headquartered in Columbus for 45 years. It also has offices in India, West Virginia and Indiana. But this region possesses many advantages that contribute to the area’s success and growth, says C.K. Satyapriya, president and CEO of CTL. “It is a broad-based economy and capital of the state with one of the largest universities and research entities that provide opportunities in both service and manufacturing,” he says. “Even so, one thing about Columbus is that it is an extremely well-kept secret, but it is a great place for bringing up a family.” CTL, which employs 140 here and 300 throughout the organization, is also pretty broad based. It provides the typical service found in many engineering firms but it also offers a great
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We have turned to hiring more people from the universities and then training them ourselves.” C.K. SaTyapRIya, President and CEo, CtL Engineering
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deal of diversity. It delivers telecommunication and IT services, product testing, metals and soil testing, chemical analysis and, for the past 35 years, forensic sciences analysis that includes the reconstruction of vehicle accidents, among other services. “We determine why accidents occurred and then become expert witnesses for attorneys,” Satyapriya says. CTL doesn’t just figure out how accidents play out. “For insurance purposes, when people buy products we do product testing, like how candles might burn.” Another segment that strengthens the Columbus Region and with which CTL has been actively engaged is the healthcare industry. CTL has been involved in work to expand The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and building the James Cancer Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Mount Carmel towers and the OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital. Satyapriya credits Columbus 2020 with providing much of the spark that has helped to grow the region and bring in new business. “There are a lot more hospitals and medical-related facilities as well as the transportation market that will continue in the Columbus Region,” he says. “Also, there is more construction work in the central city as opposed to the suburbs and that seems to be a trend that will continue.” CTL has been employee-owned for the past 25 years, with workers owning 79 percent of the organization. While his company’s growth has been steady over the years, it has been more difficult recently to find the right people to employ, Satyapriya says. “In terms of staffing it has been a little bit of a struggle in terms of experience and expertise,” he says. “We have turned to hiring more people from the universities and then training them ourselves.” A more steadfast economy now than in the past few years has helped CTL, but because of the organization’s variety of services, general economic difficulties have had less of an impact, Satyapriya says. “We can selectively and easily change course because of our diversity,” he says. “People recognize the value of hiring us more based on relationships than anything else and the diversity of the services we offer.”
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EmH&T 5500 New Albany Road Columbus 43054 emht.com
Plenty of business opportunity and characteristic collaboration make Columbus a comfortable climate for engineers. By TC BROWn + Photo By TIM JOHnSOn The distinct charm and unique qualities of the Columbus Region are major pluses for companies like EMH&T that base their operations here. EMH&T, which does surveying, planning, science, environmental and engineering work, has local roots stretching back 89 years. It is “thoroughly embedded” and has seen innumerable changes that are headed in the right direction,” says Sandy Doyle-Ahern, EMH&T’s president. “For employees and businesses, this is a comforting region and it continues to be a very powerful area and rising on the radar screens of companies across the US and internationally,” she says. “We work in other cities and don’t see that same kind of opportunity everywhere. I would be nervous to have a business this size in some other locations.” The company, with 325 employees here and another 40 at its other offices, offers a wide variety of civil engineering services for developments and infrastructure. EMH&T has done much urban revitalization Downtown and in the Arena District and a broad spectrum of other engineering work in the suburbs. A major benefit in central Ohio is that the region teems with opportunity while business rivalries are negligible, Doyle-Ahern says.
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A strong transportation network continues to be really important, particularly as the region grows.” SAnDy DOylE-AHERn, President, EMh&t
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Photo by Lee Ruh Photo by Todd YaRRingTon
“It’s very collaborative here and people support each other and there is great networking for businesses,” she says. In the past few years, EMH&T, like other regional engineering companies, has been scrambling to locate the right employees. The company is picky, Doyle-Ahern says. “Definitely one of the challenges is talent development, especially in this kind of business with all kinds of different jobs,” she says. “It’s a good problem to have. With the right talent, we have tremendous opportunities to grow.” The Columbus Region as a whole must look toward the future and plan well to deal with challenges, not the least of which is likely to be transportation, Doyle-Ahern says. “A strong transportation network continues to be really important, particularly as the region grows,” she says. “Not everyone drives a car. We will need multiple modes of transportation and being able to fund that transportation is really going to be a big challenge.” Housing is another critical component to the region’s future success. Changes are afoot with more focus
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on geographical development now, especially in the urban environment, Doyle-Ahern says. “There is more Downtown housing and condos now,” she says. “There has been a shift for people with different lifestyles, giving them more housing opportunities.” But new housing development must also include living spaces that people can afford. “We will need to expand affordable housing,” Doyle-Ahern says. “We’ve made a lot of strides in that direction in terms of housing at different levels, but it will continue to be important.” The region holds a great deal of economic development opportunity with a lot of growth potential and is a “fantastic place to live” in terms of quality of life, she says. Doyle-Ahern adds that Columbus must continue to make strides in those directions. “It fascinates me to watch businesses or tourists remark on how easy it is to get around and the number of resources here, like education, parks and entertainment,” Doyle-Ahern says. “They are surprised at what a great place it is to live.”
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Duke Realty 4675 Lakehurst Court, Suite 200 Columbus 43016 dukerealty.com
Focusing on industrial and warehouse markets keeps developer busy as it promotes the Columbus Region to potential new businesses. By TC BROWN + Photo By TIM JOHNSON
Duke Realty is high on doing big business, literally, in the Columbus Region. The company, which builds, owns, leases and manages industrial, office and healthcare properties, is primarily an industrial developer in Columbus, says Art Makris, the company’s vice president of leasing and development. “It’s an easy place to do business with a very collaborative environment,” he says. “When we work with government agencies for things like permits, they come away impressed with the way we do business and meet project deadlines.” Around this region, Duke’s developments are often 300,000 square feet or larger and are related to bulk warehousing, mid-sized distribution and manufacturing or assembly facilities. For instance, the company has entered a public-private partnership with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority and Capitol Square Ltd. to create Rickenbacker Global Logistics, 1,576 acres of land that can handle 28 million square feet of development. Just this summer the airport authority and Norfolk Southern Corp. announced a $34.3 million expansion of the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal. “We are seeing interest in intermodal terminals has picked up quite a bit,” Makris says. “A lot of these users are looking at Columbus right now.” Makris adds that the intermodal arena is a
We are trying to win construction and development business, but the real key is getting them here.” ART MAkRIS, VP, Leasing and Development, Duke Realty
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strength for the Columbus Region. Other projects: a 304,560-squarefoot American Showa industrial warehouse, the 500,000-square-foot Ace Hardware retail support center and the 743,000-square-foot Bon-Ton automated direct-to-consumer fulfillment center. Duke Realty operates in 22 markets, with about 65 percent of its business in the industrial market and the balance in medical and suburban offices. Locally, the company has 13 associates, with about 10.5 million square feet of industrial real estate, Makris says. “We transitioned from suburban office space primarily to warehouse development,” he says. “We sold off a lot of our office product to focus on industrial.” Looking to the future, the Columbus Region needs to continue to put increased focus on infrastructure, Makris says. “One of the benefits of Columbus is its location and proximity to the US population,” he says. “We need to maintain our competitive advantages and need to continue to invest in infrastructure to facilitate the movement of goods.” For Duke, the focus will be on development opportunities. “As long as consumer spending stays in check and we don’t get in another great recession, I think we’ll continue to grow,” Makris says. “We try to stay ahead of the competition by having land developed immediately to have it ready to go, but that is a risk.” In the meantime, groups like Columbus 2020 and even local businesses themselves must tout the merits of the region, Makris says. “We are constantly out there beating the drum and trying to bring people here,” he says. “We are doing our best to sell the benefits of Columbus.” Successful marketing and getting people and other businesses to buy into the Columbus Region reaps rewards for all. “We are trying to win construction and development business, but the real key is getting them here,” Makris says.
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Connect Realty llC, mid-ohio Contracting services, Inc. 1400 Dublin Road Columbus 43215 connect-ohio.com mid-ohiocontracting.com
As growth draws more residents Downtown, construction and development companies respond with affordable housing choices. By TC BROWn + Photo By TIM JOHnSOn Downtown and some of the neighborhoods close to it are hot markets in the Columbus Region right now, and that is not likely to abate anytime soon. That’s a perfect storm for companies like Connect Realty LLC and Mid-Ohio Contracting Services, Inc. “We see a massive amount of momentum when discussing the interest in the Downtown market,” says Brad DeHays, founder of both companies, which have invested heavily in the urban market. As more national and global businesses discover the region and move to locate here, the population will likely continue to grow, DeHays says. He expects more mid-sized and technologybased companies to move closer to the center of the region, while fewer invest in and locate workers in isolated office parks.
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We see a massive amount of momentum when discussing the interest in the Downtown market.” BRAD DeHAyS, Founder, Connect Realty LLC and Mid-ohio Contracting Services, Inc.
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“With this added growth, we will see small clusters of grouped business and renovated commercial retail strips in the communities close to Downtown that will benefit from this resurgence,” DeHays says. Mid-Ohio is the construction arm of DeHays’ operations and has grown from 10 employees to 34 this year. Connect Realty is the real estate brokerage, development and management company, which has increased from five employees to 15, with the expectation that another five will be added in the coming year, he says.
Courtesy of ConneCt Realty
“We are opportunistic investors and developers and we are excited about growth in our real estate management and construction services,” DeHays says. “We have made several investments in housing Downtown focused on the increased housing gap.” Connect developed a Micro Living line and is building studio and “micro” apartments Downtown at 260 S. Fourth St. and at West Long and South Front streets. The company focuses on renovating historic properties with help from state historic tax credits. And it can offer affordable leases for its micro units, thanks to the city of Columbus’ work-force housing initiative grant, DeHays says. “As prices have risen in the luxury apartment market Downtown, these apartments are in position to fill a housing gap,” he says. “And we feel that the South Fourth Street area is becoming a dense entertainment strip that will be the landing area for residents of the Capital Crossroads District.” A key for future growth in the Columbus Region will be for state and city development departments to continue
to connect businesses with developers, while providing competitive incentives for growth, DeHays says. “Local agencies have done an excellent job in recent years to boost momentum and keep development dollars local,” he says. “There are numerous hot markets across the country. We are very satisfied to have a few of them in our backyard.” Transportation will be another area that the region’s economic development leaders must address. Parking remains an issue in the Downtown area and surrounding communities and that is not likely to change soon, DeHays says. “We are aware that parking is becoming an everyday conversation for the Downtown market,” DeHays says. “Until we make the transition to mass transit being an acceptable form of travel Downtown, we are going to see parking prices raise consistently.” Increased development and use of public transportation may be the answer, but could be a tough sell. “The permanent solution is a change of habit, but people in Columbus like to drive their cars,” DeHays says.
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The Daimler Group, Inc. 1533 Lake Shore Drive Columbus 43204 daimlergroup.com
A trend toward mixeduse development keeps construction company growing along with the region. By TC BROWn + Photos By TIm JOhnSOn Signs are clear that the energy of Columbus 2020 and the Columbus Partnership to put the Columbus Region on the global map are succeeding, which is a major benefit for commercial real estate and development companies like The Daimler Group, Inc. “You can’t underestimate their influence and branding messages about Columbus to a broader market, perhaps more than ever before,” says Robert White, Jr., president of Daimler. “It’s been successful and is showing results and that is exciting.” White’s father, Robert White, along with Conrad Wisinger and Glen Rowe, founded The Daimler Group in 1983, aiming to create a new model for the commercial real estate industry that involved collaboration of many elements to improve value, creativity and innovation. With 42 employees, Daimler annually does about $125 million dollars in construction and development, focused primarily on corporate and medical office buildings, healthcare facilities and some school development, mostly in central Ohio. The economic development uptick within the Columbus Region creates a beneficial ripple effect for companies
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Now we think about what other product types we can develop in conjunction with that building.” ROBeRT WhITe, JR., President, the Daimler Group, Inc.
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like Daimler. For instance, Alliance Data Systems Corp. is adding about 700 jobs and building a 550,000-squarefoot office campus near Easton. Daimler is the contractor. “They did a multi-state search for different sites and looked at a lot of different things to decide where to locate,” White says. “We benefit from this growth by the fact we get to participate in building the physical structure to house companies like these in our region.” White cited another example: the company’s partnership with Kaufman Development in creating a mixed-used development of retail and apartments Downtown at 250 S. High St. This kind of development is becoming a trend for the region, he says. “Mixed-use development is continuing to grow,” White says. “Before you would put an office building in a field and put other office buildings around it. Now we think about what other product types we can develop in conjunction with that building.” The Columbus Region is attracting notice from large organizations that do business in the national marketplace,
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and rightly so, White says. “They see Columbus as a great place to attract young talent, and it is costeffective and very attractive compared to the coasts,” he says. For the region, the continued growth of the healthcare industry should also continue to escalate, White says. “It’s been very active and we’ve been involved in a lot of physical improvements on hospital campuses,” he says. “There’s also a broader reach out to the ambulatory arena closer to where people live in more suburban areas, and that will continue to grow and evolve as technology changes.” Although Daimler is a small company,
Grow where you’re planted. We are.
the velocity, scale and size of its projects has led to a 20-percent increase in number of employees, White says. “Of course, that amounts to eight people,” he says with a chuckle. “It sounds more impressive the other way.” The upward creep of costs per project, attracting and keeping workforce talent and the potential to overbuild multi-building family projects could challenge regional growth, White says. Nonetheless, opportunities abound. “I think there will be positive and continued growth in this area, and we are grateful to have the opportunities to continue to participate in these projects,” White says.
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The Pizzuti Companies 629 N. High St., Suite 500 Columbus 43215 pizzuti.com
local business growth and a diverse economy combine to make developer bullish on the Columbus Region. By TC BROwN + Photos By TIm JOhNSON Good things, economically speaking, have been occurring in the Columbus Region, due in large part to the balance and partnership of the public and private sectors in creating commercial developments. That collaboration and stability have been keys to the area’s success and are not necessarily found everywhere, says Joel Pizzuti, president of the Pizzuti Cos., a real estate development business. “Our city and the area are in a unique place. The public sector and private sector are each making significant investments,” he says. “The need is there for both product types and we’ve been fortunate to be a part of that.” Downtown has 21 projects under construction valued at $362 million, according to a July report in The Columbus Dispatch. Pizzuti Cos. opened the doors to its 10-story boutique hotel, the Joseph, in the Short North in January. It was part of a $68 million project that includes office and retail space. Other urban areas are firing up the projects, too. Pizzuti Cos. is finding opportunities in smaller communities, including Grove City, where the company is involved in the redevelopment of the Town Center, which will include
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We need to continue to invest in infrastructure in the city and we need to continue to attract young folks.” JOel PIzzuTI, President, The Pizzuti Cos.
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120 apartments and a new library, Pizzuti says. “Cities large and small are focused on how to improve the quality of life and offer more balance for residents,” he says. “People need to thrive in downtowns and the suburban neighborhoods.” The region embraces a diverse economy, which is extremely important for success in attracting new business, Pizzuti says. “Businesses are now paying greater attention to the area and choosing our region to make a major investment,” he says. “There have been great stories of relocation from small design firms from New York City to Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer.” The company, headquartered here with offices in Chicago and Orlando, employs 53 associates, with 44 located in Columbus. Like other businesses, the company got lean during the recession, but in recent years has added 16 people. And now Pizzuti Cos., like other commercial real estate and construction companies, is facing the challenge brought by good times—finding quali-
Le Méridien Columbus The Joseph, a Pizzuti project
fied people. “A lot of people left the construction industry in 2008,” Pizzuti says. “Everyone is pretty busy right now and it is not easy to find folks. I think it is an issue all developers are facing.” The area boasts outstanding businesses focused on healthcare, retail, insurance and banking, has outstanding universities, including Ohio State University, and is one of the top 10 distribution centers in the nation. Some regional growth must focus on investments in physical structures and highways, Pizzuti says.
“We need to continue to invest in infrastructure in the city and we need to continue to attract young folks,” he says. “We are very bullish on Columbus; it is a well-educated and balanced city with a lot of opportunity and a high quality of life.” And the Columbus Region is no longer the secret it may have once been, Pizzuti says. “It’s nice to see our area getting regional and national recognition,” he says. “Going forward, we have to seize opportunities and continue to build on the momentum we’ve developed.”
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lincoln Construction 4790 Shuster Road Columbus 43214 lincolnconstruction.com
Developing lasting relationships helps construction company build on the Columbus Region’s collaborative culture. By TC BRown + Photos By TIM JohnSon If you had to boil down to one word a major factor for the economic development success of the Columbus Region in recent years, the term collaboration must be considered. Collaboration is certainly a key operational axiom for Lincoln Construction. Partnership development with clients is pursued out of the gate with any new projects, says Andrea Schmitt, Lincoln’s vice president of marketing and human resources. The company’s philosophy is the first thing visitors to its website see: “Most companies in our industry simply build buildings. At Lincoln, we build relationships.” Up to 90 percent of company projects come from existing, long-term clients, Schmitt says. “From a company perspective, we are less focused on sectors and more focused on clients interested in a collaborative partnership,” she says. “That means getting involved early when the owner first starts thinking about the facility they want to build or renovate.” The significant and successful efforts by Columbus 2020 and others to
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We are less focused on sectors and more focused on clients interested in a collaborative partnership.” AnDReA SChMITT, VP, Marketing and hR, Lincoln Construction
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market and sell the region is boosting the population and opportunities in the area. Real estate development and construction companies will also have to work closely with city planning and zoning and building departments and regional economic development teams for continued expansion, she says. “Growth in the region facilitates more collaborative opportunities and that’s exciting,” Schmitt says. “This growth results in the need for more amenities to be built and renovated and that creates
The Julian
more jobs and opportunities.” Lincoln, with 45 employees, is the construction manager for church, university campus and multi-family housing projects, among others. The work includes a partnership with Casto Communities for the renovation of an old women’s shoe factory into housing Downtown. The seven-story Julian at Front and Main streets will include 90 urban loft apartments. “The building was either not noticed or was an eyesore but now it has
changed the landscape of the area,” Schmitt says. “That is a direct result of the region’s growth.” Lincoln, like other construction companies in the area, sees workforce talent as a potential difficulty in the future, Schmitt says. “The availability of skilled labor for the construction industry continues to be a concern,” she says. “Labor will be a challenge for everybody and that is across the board.” Schmitt says one factor in particular will help the Columbus Region continue on the right path for enhanced economic development. “I would like to see the buzzword ‘brain drain’ become a thing of the past,” she says. “There is a lot of talent from the area’s universities and we must retain those students, or attract transfers here who do not know much about Columbus and all of its amenities.“ As the profile of the Columbus Region rises nationally and internationally, all of the area’s businesses should reap rewards, Schmitt says. “As Columbus 2020 and others recruit businesses and people, it is a trickle down effect,” she says.
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Resource International, Inc. 6350 Presidential Gateway Columbus 43231 resourceinternational.com
With plenty of work to go around, contractor appreciates that projects in Columbus are shared, helping all succeed. By TC BROWN + Photo By TIM JOhNSON
As the Columbus Region continues to grow and thrive economically, the ensuing progress and advantages rub off on companies like Resource International, Inc. Success for the region and its business organizations can be attributed to planning, good leadership and a little bit of luck, says Farah Majidzadeh, CEO and chair of Resource International. “We are very lucky in our state and region regarding growth; we have very little of the economic problems that other places are facing,” she says. “In Columbus, they often share a project with homegrown firms, and then everyone grows much faster.” Resource International is a broadbased engineering consulting firm that specializes in construction management, information technology and planning and design of building and infrastructure projects, exceeding $1 billion annually. Majidzadeh started the company in 1973 as a mother of four. “It was just an idea that I started in the basement. I wanted to do something and still be with my family,” she says. “All my kids work in the company now.” Resource International now employs 170 people and is looking to hire an 10 to 15 more. Like other similar operations, Majidzadeh says it is sometimes difficult to find qualified employees,
We all work together. There is no competition, we know there is enough work for everybody.” FARAh MAJIdzAdEh, CEo and Chair, Resource International
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and quality is a critical element the company cannot afford to lose. “In 2008 when all the suffering was so bad, we brought in people from California, Nevada, Indiana and Illinois with a lot of qualification, but they don’t stay. This is not their state,” she says. “I started promoting our people in house and they teach the younger generation; that is the only way we can hire with less experience.” The company has been employed on many of the area’s signature developments, including the Scioto Mile, the Convention Center, Schottenstein Center and Crossroads, among others. Infrastructure and transportation are also large components of their work. One key for continued growth within the region will be in the way its roads and highways are designed and the quality of pavement that is used, Majidzadeh says. “When you design a road, you must look out at 20 or 30 years from now, not five years from now,” she says. “What I’m looking at in the future is a much larger scale of infrastructure.” Future growth segments for engineering firms in the region are most likely to be focused in areas such as energy, the environment and water resources, Majidzadeh says. “All of these will be extremely important because of climate change,” she says. “More and more money will go into those kinds of jobs in the future. We will make sure our people are qualified and get education in those fields.” Another trend Majidzadeh sees is the growth of public-private partnerships. “We are seeing that more and more, where public entities put out the projects and the private sector comes up with the money to get the job done,” she says. One thing for sure, there is no lack of opportunities for cooperative businesses in the region. “Columbus gives you a chance to grow,” Majidzadeh says. “We all work together. There is no competition, we know there is enough work for everybody and we all share it.”
ColumbusCEO l Columbus 2020
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What will the world be like in 2020? will rule the roads. —USA TODAY
Students will connect remotely with renowned authors, scientists and experts. —Fast Company
The Internet will be everywhere — in every device, at every location, on every person. —techradar.com
Smartphones + wearables will replace cash & credit. —nerdwallet.com
AND THE COLUMBUS REGION ECONOMY WILL BE STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. In the Columbus Region, our predictions are goals. And we’ll achieve big things by the year 2020. More people will live and work here. More companies will locate their operations here. Per capita income will be at its highest. Learn more about how the Region is creating its future at columbusregion.com/columbus2020
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m a n a g i n g
g r o W t h
Perspectives on planning, supporting and celebrating unprecedented economic activity
miles mcClellan Construction 2100 Builders Place Columbus 43204 mmbuildings.com
Strong local healthcare and education sectors keep industrial-focused builder busy with renovations. By TC BROWN + Photo By TIM JOHNSON
No one frolics in an ocean or gazes at mountain peaks here, but many enjoy a diverse and active style of life—a major magnet and selling point for the Columbus Region. And groups like Columbus 2020, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and others do a great job of advertising those attributes, which helps bring businesses and people to the area from all over, says Matt McClellan, president of Miles McClellan Construction. That stellar marketing effort sparks economical development growth, which benefits everyone here, he says. “We are not selling the Finger Lakes, or an ocean or mountains, but we need to continue to develop the message of the lifestyle that we have here,” McClellan says. “That will allow us to continue to attract people and that will continue to fuel growth for the region.” Miles McClellan Construction traces its roots to McClellan’s father, Terry, who moved to Columbus in 1978 and began his business for reasons that are still important for the region even today. His dad had worked in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, McClellan says. But Columbus having Ohio State University and other colleges along with great hospitals, research organizations like Battelle and the seat of state
“We focus on difficult renovations, what they call backfill projects, so we are constantly busy at almost every hospital in Columbus.” MATT MCCLELLAN, President, Miles McClellan Construction
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government persuaded his father to relocate. “Like now, all of this was a strong foundation for the local economy then,” McClellan says. Lonnie Miles, the company CEO, started a separate company in 1980, but merged with McClellan to form the current organization in 1987. Much of the company’s work is geared toward the industrial sector, including work on educational buildings and hospitals, McClellan says. “We really focus on a lot of the more challenging and complex problems for a lot of big companies,” he says. “We focus on difficult renovations, what they call backfill projects, so we are constantly busy at almost every hospital in Columbus.” The company also has worked on multi-use projects that include commercial, residential and retail development, and it has been actively involved in the ongoing expansion at Franklin Park Conservatory, McClellan says. “Right now we are helping them put up a (200)-year old barn that was moved down here from up north,” he says. “It should be wrapped up in the fall and will be used to host weddings and other events.” Miles McClellan Construction, like other similar companies, has reaped the benefits of an energetic economy in the Columbus Region. “There’s a strong residential market and people are moving here and that drives growth,” McClellan says. “It is also driving manufacturing and industrial growth and that can create needed renovation in older facilities.” The company, which employs about 100 in Columbus and another 30 or so people at two locations in North Carolina, has planned for “very limited but strategic” growth through 2017, except for the masonry division, which has grown by 35 percent, according to McClellan. “It’s really exploded. That’s based on the market,” McClellan says. “We’ve taken all the masonry work we can take. Those jobs pay well and are skilled positions.”
ColumbusCEO l Columbus 2020
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COLUMBUS’ TOP-RANKED LOCATION, EDUCATED WORKFORCE AND VIBRANT CULTURAL SCENE MAKE IT THE PERFECT PLACE TO LOCATE, WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO GROW A BUSINESS, A CAREER OR A FAMILY.
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