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Here, being part of something bigger feels like a perfect fit. When you choose New Albany, you’re choosing more than a location for your business. You’re choosing to become part of a carefully planned community that supports your success in every way imaginable. From visionary infrastructure design to robust technology standards, the New Albany International Business Park is home to an eclectic mix of companies. From global brands to start-ups. Contact us today. And let’s find the perfect fit for you in New Albany.

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Marion General Manager Dispatch Magazines

Morrow

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Union

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Julanne Hohbach Contributors

Licking

Linda Lee Baird Amy Bodiker Baskes Lucy Clark

Franklin

Laura Newpoff Mark Williams DESIGN & PRODUCTION

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CONTENTS 12 About One Columbus and Its Executive Committee

13 Building the Next Chapter

Columbus is a compelling place to invest and grow.

16 High-Growth Hub

The Region continues to garner national accolades as population and business investment continue on an upward trajectory.

20 Joining Columbus

After moving here, these five business professionals can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Adam Trabitz Production Designer

Rebecca Zimmer

27 Investing in Columbus

Get to know four companies that located or expanded in the metropolitan area.

32 Business Builder

Deborah Scherer leads the charge on attracting global companies to the Region.

36 Workforce of the Future

Colleges and universities are rolling out new programs, and a life sciences training center will boost the talent pipeline.

44 The Region at a Glance The area’s 11 counties offer a diverse mix of assets and amenities for businesses and residents

Subscriptions/Customer Service

614-923-9566 columbusceo@subscriptionteam.com Editorial/Advertising Offices

605 S. Front St., Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215

One Columbus, a supplement to Columbus CEO, is published annually by USA Today Co. Inc. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © USA Today Co. Inc. 2026, all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited materials.

On the cover: Skyline courtesy Randall L. Schieber, other photos courtesy One Columbus.

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ABOUT ONE COLUMBUS One Columbus serves as the economic development arm of the Columbus Partnership, leading a comprehensive growth strategy across the 11-county Columbus Region that develops and attracts the world’s most competitive companies, grows a highly adaptive workforce, prepares our communities for the future, and inspires corporate, academic and public innovation.

THE COLUMBUS REGION The thriving 11-county area in Central Ohio isn’t just home to more than 2.3 million people, it’s also home to some of the world’s most recognizable brands, innovative small businesses, powerhouse research hubs and topnotch academic institutions. Go online to ColumbusRegion.com to learn more.

COLUMBUS REGION VISION To be the most prosperous region in the United States. The process of building prosperity requires sustained focus on the social and economic advancement of all residents within the Columbus Region. An array of private, public and nonprofit leaders across the Columbus Region support this vision and work together toward its realization. Results-driven: Since 2021, the One Columbus team has helped more than 248 companies achieve their growth goals by locating or expanding in the Columbus Region, resulting in over $44 billion worth of capital investment and more than 31,000 new jobs and $2.5 billion in payroll committed.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mark Berven, Chair President and Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide Property & Casualty Gregory R. Overmyer, Treasurer CEO, Overmyer Hall Associates, a HUB International company Marc D. Reitter, Secretary President and Chief Operating Officer, AEP Ohio and American Electric Power Company Inc. Melody Birmingham Executive Vice President and Group President of Utilities, NiSource Kevin Boyce County Commissioner, Franklin County Board of Commissioners Lawrence Geise Executive Vice President, Honda Development and Manufacturing of America Lori Gillett CEO, CK Construction Group Andrew J. Ginther Mayor, City of Columbus Phil Greenberg Chief of Staff, JobsOhio Becky Griffin Columbus Location Leader, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Tim Hall Area President, M/I Homes Inc. Rebecca McGrath Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, Cardinal Health John McWhorter Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, OhioHealth Brant Standridge Senior Executive VP and President, Consumer and Regional Banking, Huntington National Bank Rick Szabrak Director of Economic and Workforce Development, Fairfield County Matt Vaughan President, Applied Science & Technology, Battelle

EX-OFFICIO Corrine Burger CEO, the Columbus Partnership Jonas Peterson Chief Economic Development Officer and President, One Columbus

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Photos courtesy One Columbus

BUILT FOR GROWTH

★

Building the Next Chapter

The map of American growth is shifting, and the Columbus Region is one of the places redrawing it. Companies are making larger investments here. More people are choosing to build their careers here. New industries are taking shape alongside a remarkably durable base of established employers. Across the Region, that growth is creating an economy with reach, depth and increasing national consequence. Columbus is no longer a wellkept secret. I chose to make this region my home, so I have had the chance to experience its character, as well as study its economy. There is a seriousness here about growth. Communities compete for opportunity, but they also understand that the strength of the Region raises the prospects of everyone in it. Employers work closely with educators. Public and private leaders solve problems together. When a com-

pany is ready to move, this region knows how to move with it. One Columbus investors are central to that regional effort. Their commitment gives us the capacity to compete with confidence while sustaining an economic development strategy built to serve the

entirety of the Region. That kind of regional alignment is part of what makes Central Ohio such a compelling place to invest and grow. A company can find very different opportunities across our 11 counties while remaining connected to the same growing labor market, business network and economic ecosystem. An urban headquarters, an advanced manufacturing operation or the next generation of technology infrastructure can each find a place here built for its needs. Success at that level creates its own gravity. Talent follows opportunity, investment follows performance and strong companies attract more of both. That cycle is already at work in the Columbus Region. And it is accelerating. Jonas Peterson Chief Economic Development Officer and President, One Columbus

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THOUGHT LEADER OF THE QUARTER

THE STRONGEST STARTUP ECOSYSTEMS ARE BUILT TOGETHER

PHOTO COURTESY REV1 VENTURES

ver the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside both entrepreneurs and corporate leaders across Central Ohio. One lesson stands out - the startups that succeed aren’t simply the ones with the best ideas, they’re the ones surrounded by the right partners. That’s why Rev1 Ventures has always believed that supporting startups requires more than capital. It requires an ecosystem built on collaboration, where entrepreneurs have access to experienced advisors, engaged corporate partners, investors, universities and public leaders who are all committed to helping innovation thrive. We know this approach works. Research shows startups are twice as likely to survive their first five years when funding is paired with advisory support. Capital helps founders get started. Strategic guidance, customer connections and industry expertise help them build companies that last.

Corporate Partners Are Essential When established companies engage with startups, they’re not simply giving back to the community. They’re strengthening their own organizations while helping shape the future of our regional economy. Whether it’s mentoring founders, piloting emerging technologies, sharing market expertise or becoming an early customer, these partnerships create value on both sides. Startups gain the insights and relationships they need to grow, while corporations gain early access to new ideas, entrepreneurial talent and emerging technologies that can inform their own innovation strategies.

Julia Dewey

Collaboration as Competitive Advantage For decades, Ohio has made intentional investments in innovation, enabling organizations like Rev1 to connect entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise and networks they need to grow. Since 2013, Rev1 has supported more than 1,700 startups, invested in 150 companies and helped generate more than $7.6 billion in statewide economic impact. Those outcomes didn’t happen because one organization worked harder than everyone else. They happened because businesses, investors, and public and private partners came together to invest in a shared vision for Ohio’s future. Another Defining Moment Central Ohio is attracting talent, investment and national attention at an unprecedented pace, but momentum alone won’t keep us competitive. Other regions are increasing their

investments in startups and innovation infrastructure, and long-standing programs that helped build Ohio’s innovation economy are evolving. If we want to maintain our leadership, now is the time to double down on our commitment to entrepreneurship. Key ways Columbus can continue to maintain and strengthen its position as a hub for startups: • Focus on building the relationships, spaces and networks that allow innovation to flourish. • Create opportunities for corporate leaders to engage with founders, share expertise and help promising companies navigate the challenges of growth. • Recognize that innovation isn’t someone else’s responsibility - it’s a shared investment in the future of our region. The strongest startup ecosystems aren’t built by startups alone. They’re built by communities that choose to work together. That’s the approach that has helped Central Ohio become one of the Midwest’s leading innovation hubs, and it’s how we’ll ensure our region remains competitive for decades to come. Julia Dewey is Chief Partnerships Officer at Rev1 Ventures, the Midwest venture studio that partners with innovators in Saas/AI, deep tech, and life sciences to turn bold ideas into scalable companies.

Rev1 Ventures 330 Rush Alley, Suite 100 Columbus 43215 614-487-3700 rev1ventures.com

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Photo courtesy One Columbus

BUILT FOR GROWTH

A Fury drone on the production floor at Anduril Industries Inc.

High-Growth Hub The Region continues to garner national accolades as population and business investment continue on an upward trajectory. By Julanne Hohbach

★

Ohio might be No. 1 in America’s Top States for Business 2026 according to CNBC, but the Columbus Region is leading the way in the Buckeye State and beyond on multiple metrics, including population and job growth. Ohio came away with CNBC’s top ranking just a year after cracking the top five for the first time; the Buckeye State finished 30th in the inaugural rankings in 2007. Two contributors to the state’s top finish, according to CNBC, were its No. 1 rankings in both Infrastructure and Cost of Doing Business. “The Buckeye State offers companies broad market access, with more than 143 million people living within a day’s drive, low real estate costs, reasonable utility and insurance

costs, generous incentives and shovel-ready sites,” CNBC opined. Those are advantages the Columbus Region has carefully cultivated and touted for years. “There’s a lot of companies choosing to invest in our market. The world’s leading companies, many of them have made significant investments in Central Ohio. Those investments derisk it for other opportunities,” says Tom Stipkovich, vice president of corporate investment at One Columbus. Stipkovich has managed a number of significant projects since joining One Columbus in 2015, notably Anduril Industries Inc.’s Arsenal-1 site near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County. The Anduril project, expected to cost nearly $1 billion, is touted as the largest job-creation project in state

history, with more than 4,000 new jobs anticipated by 2035. The company rolled its first Fury autonomous air vehicle off the production line in July and plans to add two other products by the end of 2026. “Anduril is changing the defense industry in a big way,” Stipkovich says. “Their investment in Ohio is going to be tremendously impactful. I think right now, we’re probably a little bit at the tip of the iceberg with what the defense tech industry can become across the state.” About 26 miles northeast of Arsenal-1 is Intel’s Ohio One campus, where construction is ongoing on two semiconductor fabrication plants. The company’s planned $28 billion commitment to the project, located in Licking County in the New Albany International Business Park, will be the largest private-sector

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The Columbus Region By the Numbers #1 Ohio’s rank in America’s Top States for Business 2026 –CNBC One of the fastest-growing regions in United States, at double the national rate of population growth –U.S. Census Bureau 96% Columbus Region’s share of Ohio’s growth in the last decade –U.S. Census Bureau 15th-largest city in the United States –U.S. Census Bureau #1 for job growth in the Midwest –U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 18 Number of Fortune 1000 companies in 2026 14 consecutive top 10 rankings on the Tier 1 Top Metros for economic development by projects per capita (No. 7 in 2025) –Site Selection magazine #4 top job market in the U.S. for college graduates 2025-26 –ADP #48 Best-Performing Cities 2026 (large cities category) –Milken Institute $28 billion Largest privatesector capital investment in state history, by Intel 4,000 jobs Largest job-creation project in state history, by Anduril Industries Inc.

investment in Ohio history. But advanced manufacturing is just one of the industries experiencing recent growth. The life sciences and biotechnology sector has blossomed, particularly at the business park, where Amgen Inc., American Regent Inc., Pharmavite and others have significant operations. Amgen invested $474 million in a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that opened in February 2024. In April 2025, the company announced a $900 million expansion, which is expected to increase local headcount from 400 to 750 when it opens in 2027. “It’s such a good and fun success story,” Stipkovich says. “The pace at which they were able to become operational, staff that facility up and then reinvest in the market, you can’t do that everywhere. You have to have really strong alignment from the state to the Region to the local level to be able to do that, and it sends a signal to the rest of the market and other companies looking to make investments.” One of the keys to the Region’s economic success is its broad base. Beyond technology-centric sectors is a wide variety of other enterprises, from longtime stalwarts such as financial services, insurance and health care to nationally known fashion brands, restaurants, and automotive manufacturers and suppliers. Central Ohio has five companies on the 2026 Fortune 500 list and 18 on the Fortune 1000. But smaller enterprises and family businesses fare well here, too. “We’re blessed in this market because it’s incredibly diverse. No single industry sector makes up more than 16 or 17 percent of our regional employment. So, we have a really balanced economy,” Stipkovich says. “Sectors ebb and flow. The professional services space was really active the last decade. Logistics was really active the last decade with the rise of e-commerce,” he says. “Post-pandemic, the percentage of opportunities in our pipeline for manufacturing has increased, and so that’s where we’re focusing a lot of

time because there’s so much activity and opportunity in that space.”

Population Growth Follows As business in the Region has grown so, too, has its population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s metropolitan statistical areas estimates, the Columbus MSA population was 2,242,028 on July 1, 2025, up from 2,141,983 five years prior—an increase of 4.7 percent. The most recent one-year rate of growth (0.96 percent) is nearly double the national rate, placing the area as one of the fastest growing in the country. International migration accounted for more than half the one-year population growth, while 35 percent came from births. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which tracks population trends and economic indicators over 15 counties, projects the area will reach 3.15 million people by 2050. Meanwhile, the city of Columbus remains the 15th-largest city in the nation at 938,396 residents as of July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau counts. Many of these new residents come for employment. The area has one of the best job-growth rates in the country, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures. BLS numbers analyzed by One Columbus show the metropolitan area added 11,977 jobs from March 2025 to March 2026, ranking it No. 6 among the top 56 U.S. metros. The year-over-year growth rate of 1.1 percent is the highest in the Midwest and more than 18 times the national average. Ron Starner, executive vice president of Conway Data Inc., which publishes Site Selection magazine, says people are a critical factor to the Region’s ongoing success. “First and foremost,” he says, “it’s the talent. I describe it as both talent migration and talent development in Central Ohio.” Beyond a strong flow of workers relocating here, he says, Ohio State University, Columbus State Community College and other schools turn out graduates with a variety of

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2026 Fortune 500 Companies 15. Cardinal Health 69. Nationwide 209. American Electric Power Company Inc. 350. Huntington Bancshares Inc. 414. Vertiv Holdings Co.

skillsets needed to fill both whitecollar and industrial jobs. Stipkovich says the One Columbus team spends significant time working with K-12 school districts, trade schools, colleges and universities. “We are developing that pipeline of talent that those companies need to be successful,” he says. “They wouldn’t choose to continue to invest and expand in our market if they couldn’t find the right talent.”

In the National Spotlight The Columbus Region continues to collect accolades, with recent nods from the influential Site Selection and nonprofit public-policy organization Brookings Institution. In July, One Columbus scooped up its eighth Mac Conway Award for Economic Development Excellence in the past nine years from Site Selection. The award is given annually to economic development groups across the country. Additionally, the Region ranked as the No. 1 metro area on the magazine’s 2025 Global Groundwork Index, which evaluates development projects and associated job creation and expenditures. And it has earned 14 straight top 10 placements among Site Selection’s Tier 1 Top Metros, ranked by projects per capita. The Region placed No. 7 on the 2025 list, which was released this spring. Starner says the Region benefits from physical assets like site preparation and readiness, transportation infrastructure and utilities, as well as “deeply committed stakeholders,” including One Columbus, JobsOhio

Star Hub honoree in Mapping the AI Economy –Brookings Institution 8 Mac Conway Awards for Economic Development Excellence won by One Columbus –Site Selection magazine $100 million commitment by entrepreneur Ratmir Timashev to attract 100 AI companies to Columbus through OH.io Ventures Holding Inc. $2 billion new terminal investment at John Glenn International Airport, which ranked No. 5 in flight growth among the 50 busiest U.S. airports in 2025 –Columbus Regional Airport Authority 2028 Columbus becomes the first Olympic city in Ohio 2028 Columbus’ National Women’s Soccer League expansion team takes the field Top 5 metro areas for young professionals –Forbes

you have to be able to execute when you actually get an opportunity, and that means everybody’s got to be on the same page, rowing in the same direction, and the local teams make all the difference,” Stipkovich says. “When Central Ohio competes for a project, they compete to win. Anduril had 50 suitors. Amgen had 13. The Columbus Region emerged No. 1 in both of those,” Starner says. “They know how to take on all comers and win, which means you’ve got to have everyone at the table, and everyone who’s at the table has to be all in. And there are very few places in the country that are able to pull that off. Greater Columbus is one of those.”

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and local groups, as well as the retooling of JobsOhio itself. “That definitely elevated Ohio into a higher tier of how they are perceived by site selectors and CEOs around the country. The fact that JobsOhio is armed now with one of the biggest war chests in the country, that moves the needle,” he says. The Region’s technology is getting noticed, too. In July 2025, Brookings named Columbus a Star Hub in its “Mapping the AI Economy” report, recognizing it as one of 28 metropolitan areas with strong AI ecosystems spanning talent, adoption and innovation, says Mark Muro, a senior fellow with Brookings. “The Region really has a strong regional technology base at this point, and I think you can’t overestimate the importance of OSU in that. But now you’re seeing these additional investments coming in, obviously the Intel plant is going to be tremendously important in the next five to 10 years. This Anduril hard tech effort in the defense area is going to be important. “Places like Columbus that have a strong manufacturing history, have a major technology-oriented university and a sort of pro-growth atmosphere are going to do very well in an era that is based on AI and defense industries, and that’s sort of where the nation is right now,” Muro says. “I think the name of the game is having a layered economy that is fairly deep in multiple areas.” “First and foremost, I think it’s an advantage to be a growth market,” Stipkovich says. “We’re leading the charge in terms of Ohio’s population growth, and that’s a really important consideration.” Other assets include numerous higher education institutions, a central location, a strong tax environment and shovel-ready sites, he says. “The rankings are one thing. They’re incredibly helpful in getting your foot in the door on certain opportunities and generating buzz and momentum around Central Ohio. But

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Giordano Albertazzi

Dr. Kimryn Rathmell

Vatsal Shah

Evan Spencer

Joining Columbus

Alexandra Scheiman

After moving to the Region, these business professionals can’t imagine living anywhere else. Photos by Tim Johnson

★

It’s no secret the Columbus Region is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for companies of all shapes and sizes. But its appeal is likewise growing among business professionals, who are drawn to factors such as a robust economy,

welcoming environment, educational offerings and quality of life. Get to know these five men and women who chose to move here for their careers—one of whom left and came back. Their stories are unique, but each has a shared experience with thousands of other professionals who sampled what the area has to offer and never looked back.

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Giordano Albertazzi The Italian tech executive has embraced the city’s arts scene. By Amy Bodiker Baskes

★

When Giordano “Gio” Albertazzi first visited Columbus during his career with Vertiv, his experience rarely extended beyond the airport, office and hotel. It wasn’t until he was named CEO and moved here in 2022 that he discovered what he calls the city’s understated appeal. Raised in Milan, Italy, Albertazzi originally joined the company, then known as Emerson Network Power, in 1998. The business has roots that stretch back 80 years in Columbus. He spent much of his career leading Emerson’s operations around the world before taking the reins as CEO of Vertiv Holdings Co. in January 2023. Today, he leads the global provider of critical digital infrastructure in data centers and communication networks from its Westerville headquarters. What has impressed him most about Columbus is not just its growing business climate but also the people. “There is a sense of community here that makes you feel extremely welcome,” he says. “That’s quite genuine; people you meet are just genuinely nice.” Living in Downtown Columbus also has changed his perception of the city. Beyond what business travelers typically see, Albertazzi

has found a vibrant arts scene and become an enthusiastic supporter of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, where he serves on the board of trustees. A lifelong fan of classical music, he calls the orchestra one of the city’s “pleasant surprises.” Professionally, Albertazzi has overseen Vertiv during a dynamic period of growth, fueled by demand for data center infrastructure. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its engineering capabilities, strengthened partnerships with industry leaders and grown into an S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company. Albertazzi credits the Columbus Region’s role in Vertiv’s success, notably its collaborative business community and the pipeline of engineering talent from Ohio State University. If Albertazzi has one wish for his adopted hometown, it’s more international flights to support the Region’s expanding global business connections, something that may be

Giordano Albertazzi CEO, Vertiv Holdings Co. Age: 60 Hometown: Milan, Italy Previous: Chief operating officer and president of Vertiv, Americas Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Politecnico di Milano; master’s in management, Stanford University Graduate School of Business Involvement: Co-vice chair of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra board of trustees, member of the Columbus Partnership Resides: Downtown

realized when the new airport terminal is finished in 2029. Otherwise, he believes Columbus offers an uncommon combination of opportunity, innovation and quality of life—advantages that continue to surprise even a veteran international executive.

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Dr. Kimryn Rathmell The renowned cancer expert was drawn to a job at Ohio State but discovered plenty more to appreciate. By Amy Bodiker Baskes

★

When Dr. Kimryn Rathmell became CEO of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute in May 2025, she wasn’t expecting to return to the Midwest after three decades away. A kidney cancer specialist who was serving as director of the National Cancer Institute, Rathmell took advantage of the unexpected opportunity. “I hadn’t been looking for this, but I loved it,” she says. Rathmell, a Nebraska native who grew up in Sheffield, Iowa, was drawn to Ohio State’s potential to improve cancer care for rural communities while advancing discoveries with national impact. She was especially attracted by the land grant university’s mission and statewide reach, as well as its unique position as the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with a freestanding cancer hospital and academic medical center on the campus of a large public university. Since arriving in Columbus, Rathmell has been equally impressed by the city itself. “It’s a lovely place to

Dr. Kimryn Rathmell CEO, OSUCCC – James Age: 56 Hometown: Sheffield, Iowa Previous: Director, National Cancer Institute; chair of medicine and physician-in-chief, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; leadership and faculty positions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Education: Bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry, University of Northern Iowa; Master of Management in Health Care, Vanderbilt University; M.D. and Ph.D. in biophysics, Stanford University Resides: Harrison West Family: Husband Jeffrey Rathmell and two adult children

live and work. I wish I’d discovered it a little bit sooner,” she says. She admits the return to the Midwest came with one surprise: “I forgot how cold it gets here.” Rathmell has been struck by Columbus’ collaborative business culture and growing technology sector. “I hadn’t really appreciated

how much of an industry and technology center it is and how many things are headquartered here.” She points to the Columbus Partnership as a model for bringing together business and civic leaders and sees tremendous potential to expand the biotechnology industry by commercializing Ohio State discoveries and attracting new companies. Her first year at OSU has been a busy one marked with new facilities and programs. The new University Hospital, which opened in February, has expanded the James’ inpatient capacity by nearly 150 beds, and a new Powell campus will extend cancer services into the northwest suburbs. Rathmell also launched the BRIDGE (Building Research Innovation and Care Delivery for Groups with Early Onset Cancers) program for adolescents, young adults and other patients to offer specialized care and advanced research opportunities. Away from work, Rathmell enjoys walking and cycling on the Olentangy Trail, where she trained for Pelotonia. Living just steps from the trail, she says being able to hop on her bike after work has become one of her favorite parts of life in Columbus.

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Alexandra Scheiman The Path Robotics executive sought quality of life when she relocated with her family to Central Ohio. By Lucy Clark

★

When Alexandra Scheiman started working at Path Robotics, the company had just 25 employees. Now, she oversees more than 250 in her role as vice president of people. “We are the leader in physical AI for manufacturing, so we are adding human-level intelligence to traditional robotics to help solve a huge labor shortage for many manufacturers,” Scheiman explains. Scheiman is originally from Manhattan, but says she and her husband, Jordan, were looking to relocate to a job market where they could grow their family and careers—goals that can be difficult to accomplish in New York City. In late 2019, Scheiman moved here with her husband and two children, as well as her parents, her grandmother and her sister, brother-inlaw and their children. “We want to all be together and have a great life where family is so important, and let’s do it in a market where we’re set up for success,” she says. “Quality of life is critical, and it’s really hard in Manhattan where cost of living is so expensive. … It just made it significantly easier in a

Alexandra Scheiman Vice president of people, Path Robotics Age: 40 Hometown: New York City Previous: Recruiting manager, Meta; global talent acquisition manager, Spotify Education: Bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development, Vanderbilt University Resides: Bexley Family: Husband Jordan Scheiman and two children

city like Columbus.” The Scheimans live in Bexley, as does Jordan’s family. Though they are Vanderbilt University alumni, the Scheimans are Buckeye fans. “Our kids are super into it,” she says. The family enjoys visiting the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Franklin

Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, as well as eating out at The 1126 Restaurant in the Short North, Mitchell’s Ocean Club in Easton and Scotty’s Cafe in Bexley. On the business side, Scheiman lauds the workforce skills fostered in the region’s colleges and universities, and she hopes to continue pulling in top talent from around the country at Path Robotics. “It’s really easy as we keep telling these stories of all the amazing things the city has to offer, and having the support from state institutions to help us make that a reality,” she says. “The hugest piece for families or people moving is that you don’t have to give anything up. You get to have it all,” Scheiman says. “You get to have the quality of life where you can grow your family with the top schools and no traffic. You’ll be able to have the vibrant city experience with concerts and sports teams and Broadway shows and great restaurants. I’m a big Columbus fan.”

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Vatsal Shah The engineering firm founder grew his business and is now moving its headquarters to Columbus. By Amy Bodiker Baskes

★

Vatsal Shah never intended to leave New Jersey. When the CEO of ANS arrived in Columbus in 2022, it wasn’t part of a long-term business strategy. His wife, a plastic surgeon, had accepted a fellowship at Ohio State University, and the lifelong East Coast residents planned to stay for just one year. Instead, Columbus changed their minds. “We were blown away,” he says. “There is a great quality of life here. … The pace of life here was really good, and we enjoyed how friendly people were and how much more community we have here.” Upon arriving in Columbus, Shah ran ANS out of the Versa co-working space on Dublin Road. The couple chose an apartment nearby in Grandview Heights, in part because he could kayak across the Watermark Island lake to his office. The unconventional commute allowed him to quickly settle into local life. What followed was a remarkable period of growth for ANS, the multidisciplinary engineering firm Shah founded in 2005. Since 2020, ANS has expanded from three employees to more than 400 across 20 offices

and broadened its work from geotechnical engineering into structural, civil and electrical engineering, as well as supporting projects in power transmission, substations, solar, wind and battery storage. As ANS grew, Columbus became the natural choice for its headquarters. Shah credits the region’s collaborative business climate and the support of partners like JobsOhio and the city of Columbus, as much as its affordability. “It just felt like a better place to run a business,” he says. “Columbus is growing as a city, it’s attracting talent and investing in that talent.” In June, ANS announced its purchase and renovation of a historic building on West Gay Street to support the company’s continued national expansion and bring operations together in one location. More than anything, Shah credits Columbus’ friendliness as its draw. “Business here is person to person,” he says. “That sort of hospitality, ser-

Vatsal Shah CEO, ANS Age: 38 Hometown: Green Brook, N.J. Previous: Principal engineer and vice president, Mott MacDonald Education: Bachelor’s, masters and Ph.D. in civil engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology Resides: German Village Family: Wife Rohini Kadle and two young daughters

vice or care for one another, I can’t find anywhere else.” Today, Shah and his wife, Rohini Kadle, live in German Village with their two young daughters, enjoying neighborhood parks, restaurants and the arts while continuing to put down roots. What began as a temporary move has become a permanent home—for both his family and ANS.

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Evan Spencer Football and family took the Illinois native across the country, but he kept coming back to Columbus. By Linda Lee Baird

★

Technically, Evan Spencer has moved to the Columbus area three times. First as an infant in 1994, when his dad, NFL player Tim Spencer, retired and got a job as a running backs coach at Ohio State University. Ten years later, his dad joined the coaching staff of the Chicago Bears and took the family to the Windy City, where Spencer spent the rest of his youth. But Columbus called Spencer back in 2011, this time as a player for Ohio State, where his father played from 1979 to 1982. Eventually, he became a captain, another parallel with his dad. “I think we’re … one of the few father-son captains in Ohio State history,” he says. Spencer was drafted in 2015 by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) where his brother, Cole Spencer, was a scout. He joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that fall and spent about a year with the team before retiring and returning to Columbus. A decade later, he appears poised to stay, with a home in Westerville, a recent engagement and a career in finance. Since

2023, he has worked as a business operations officer at KBK Enterprises, where he helps oversee the management of more than 1,670 affordable housing units in Columbus, Wichita, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. “Financial reporting, property stats, insurance placement, coverage from a claims perspective, managing and negotiating renewals on our insurance portfolios—that’s all within my realm,” he says. Spencer also owns the development consulting and private equity firm PA Partners, which he operates outside KBK. Hobbies also keep him busy. Golf is a longtime passion, and though Scioto Country Club is a favorite, he logs the most rounds at New Albany Country Club or New Albany Links Golf Club. Volunteering is also important to him. He met his fiancee, Katelyn Pollock, at an event for A Kid Again and later joined the organization’s board. Now a board member of Opera Columbus, he speaks passionately about the importance of the performing arts

to the city’s infrastructure. Like sports, he says, they are a vital component of a thriving region. Spencer says anyone considering Columbus should know it’s a dynamic place. “You have the ability to make an impact in an area that is exponentially growing in national importance,” he says. “There are so many different nationally important vendors that call Columbus home.”

Evan Spencer Business operations officer, KBK Enterprises Principal, PA Partners Age: 33 Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois Previous: Associate, Loud Capital; NFL player, Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, Ohio State University Involvement: Board member, Opera Columbus; former board member, A Kid Again Resides: Westerville Family: Fiancee Katelyn Pollock

• ColumbusCEO

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cultivating value, enriching lives

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Photo courtesy Randall L. Schieber

The Scioto Mile and Downtown skyline

Investing in Columbus In a climate where the competition is stiff, these four businesses committed significant capital to new or expanded U.S. operations.

By Mark Williams

★

The success One Columbus is having attracting companies to Central Ohio is helping the Region turn in some of the best job gains among the country’s biggest metro areas. The 11-county Region added 11,977 jobs for the year ended March 2026, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by One Columbus, the economic development

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arm of the Columbus Partnership. That’s a growth rate of 1.1 percent, more than 18 times the national rate, sixth highest among the country’s 56 largest metro areas and No. 1 in the Midwest. In 2025, One Columbus announced 39 projects, representing 7,000 jobs and $5 billion in capital investment. Nearly half of those projects involved foreign-owned companies, and a third of the organization’s project pipeline represents international companies. “We are creating jobs, securing investment and building the foundation for broader prosperity across the Region,” says Mark Berven, chair of the One Columbus executive committee and president and chief operating officer of Nationwide Property & Casualty. “Our competitive advantages are real, our strategy is working, and we are focused on turning today’s momentum into lasting opportunity for the people and communities we serve.” Because of its success, One Columbus has been recognized eight times by Site Selection magazine with the Mac Conway Award for Economic Development Excellence. For the 2026 award, the magazine cited the Region’s momentum in advanced manufacturing and technology infrastructure along with business growth and public infrastructure investment. The magazine also has ranked the Region multiple times on its annual Global Groundwork Index, which evaluates where private-sector growth and public infrastructure are advancing together in ways that allow communities to pair business investment with the sites, utilities, regional coordination and transportation assets needed for sustained growth. (For more on these and other accolades, see “High-Growth Hub” on Page 16.) “Companies that have operated here for decades continue to reinvest because they see long-term value in our workforce, our logistics position and our ability to support

advanced industrial growth,” said Tom Stipkovich, vice president of corporate investment at One Columbus, when PPG Industries Inc. announced a $280 million expansion in March 2026. Here’s a look at a few of the recent projects One Columbus has won, including U.S. and foreign companies that picked the Region for new or expanded operations.

PPG Industries Expands Its Investment in Delaware Paint and coatings company PPG Industries Inc. is undertaking a $280 million expansion, building on its longstanding presence in Delaware and highlighting the Region’s position in advanced manufacturing and automotive innovation. When it opens in 2028, PPG’s new 100,000-square-foot plant will make products for automakers and parts suppliers. The project will complement capacity of the existing Pittsburgh Drive facility, which opened in 1965. The expansion is expected to add 100 jobs; Pittsburgh-based PPG’s current operations in Delaware em-

ploy 450 workers. According to the Ohio Tax Credit Authority, the project is estimated to generate $7.99 million in new annual payroll. “As the automotive OEM industry continues to evolve, PPG’s expanded capabilities in Delaware, Ohio, will help us deliver the next generation of high-quality, sustainably advantaged coatings technologies,” said Alisha Bellezza, PPG’s senior vice president for automotive and packaging coatings, in the expansion announcment. “This investment, which is included within PPG’s previously communicated capital spending targets, strengthens our ability to serve customers with improved efficiency, quality and responsiveness.”

SICCET USA Picks Grove City For Its Newest Factory An Italian company that makes high-performance cables has picked Grove City for its first U.S. manufacturing site, citing growing U.S. demand and proximity to its customers in the Midwest and on the East Coast. SICCET USA, the American

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subsidiary of SICCET SRL, is investing $2 million into a 20,000-squarefoot plant that will create 15 jobs. The company makes high-performance cables that help monitor and control temperature in demanding environments such as aircraft engines, power plants and industrial food equipment. The move by SICCET is part of a trend of overseas manufacturers seeking to establish a foothold in the

U.S., according to One Columbus. “This location offers strong infrastructure, a collaborative business environment and proximity to key markets that are vital for our longterm growth,” said Ivan Dall’Armellina, president of SICCET USA and co-owner of SICCET SRL, when the project was announced. “Columbus is a growing and multicultural region with a workforce shaped by a wide range of industries and education partners. This environment supports the kind of skilled team we need as we expand in the United States.”

European Workwear Company Establishes U.S. Headquarters Another European company, Engelbert Strauss Inc., has chosen Columbus’ Arena District for its U.S. headquarters, showroom, and learning and development center. The project will create 30 jobs and reinforces the city’s position as a market for global business expansion. Strauss, founded in Germany in 1948, has grown from a small family business to a global brand known for its workwear, design innovation and craftmanship. The company, now in its third generation, services customers in agricultural, construction, logistics, trades and technical fields. “Establishing our U.S. headquarters in Columbus is a major step in

Engelbert Strauss’ Arena District site

Photo courtesy Engelbert Strauss Inc.

A rendering of PPG Industries’ new Delaware plant

Rendering courtesy PPG Industries Inc.

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our international growth,” said Henning Strauss, the company’s CEO and grandson of its founder, in the project announcement. “We were drawn to its position as a central business hub, the creative industry here and the kind of pioneering spirit that matches our culture. This location gives us the ability to grow in the right way as Columbus grows, allowing us to be close to our customers.” The office, located at 285 Cozzins St., will include a branded showroom to showcase products and designs to North American clients.

Plotwork USA Invests in New Marysville Factory Union County has added another Japanese company to its portfolio. Plotwork USA Inc. opened its first overseas factory in Marysville in August 2025. The company provides precision machining services, primarily for prototypes, to customers in multiple industries including automotive, motorcycles, medical devices and home appliances. Company officials want to expand into the aerospace market, including flying vehicles. The company picked Central Ohio because of its location in the automotive-focused Midwest and accessibility to nearby states. “Columbus has a long history of small and mid-sized manufacturing giving it a complete supply chain suited to our business,” said Tsunehiro Takada, the company’s CEO. “Union County, in particular, hosts a large concentration of Japanese automotive companies centered around Honda. The area is highly welcoming to Japanese residents and provides strong community support and infrastructure for expatriate life.” The company has invested about $1.5 million so far in its U.S. operations. It currently has six workers with plans to hire between 30 and 50 over the next five years. Plotwork is located in the Pioneer Park 55 development on Industrial Parkway.

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Business Builder

Deborah Scherer

One Columbus’ Deborah Scherer leads the charge on attracting more global companies to the Region.

Photo courtesy One Columbus

★

Deborah Scherer might not be a household name in the Columbus Region, but in economic development circles, she’s a rainmaker. In her role as executive vice president of global development for One Columbus, she leads the organization’s international business development efforts. Her role is part recruiter, encouraging companies across the globe to create or expand operations here, and part project manager, helping those prospects see how the Columbus Region can meet their needs. Scherer joined One Columbus, then known as Columbus 2020, in January 2011 to build the organization’s international business recruitment strategy. Since signing on as one of the economic development organization’s first four employees, she has helped drive more than $4 billion in investment supporting over 50,000 jobs in the Columbus Region. She previously served as deputy director of the Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets Division. Scherer was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2022 by Consultant Connect, a consulting agency that works with economic developers and site consul-

tants. She also holds a Certified Global Business Professional designation. The Chillicothe native earned a bachelor’s in international business marketing from Ohio University in 1996, with a minor in Spanish. When she’s not at work, Scherer dedicates time to organizations that foster international engagement. She serves on the boards of the Columbus Council on World Affairs and the Greater Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce and is serving a twoyear term as president of the JapanAmerica Society of Central Ohio.

Why is it important to attract international companies to the Columbus Region? International

companies bring new perspectives, broaden our industry base and deepen the Columbus Region’s connections to the global economy. Their experiences in other markets can shape how they think about workforce, quality of life and community engagement. Many also establish lasting roots and become strong community partners. Why does foreign direct investment matter? Foreign direct investment brings new capital, jobs and global connections to the Columbus Region. It has also represented a significant share of our project pipeline in recent years.

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Companies such as Safelite, Honda and Anheuser-Busch have made major investments here and become important supporters of the communities where they operate. Is the Region seeing growth or a shift in interest from certain business sectors? Interest naturally ebbs and flows, but we are currently seeing increased international activity in life sciences, the digital infrastructure supply chain and defense technology. In the data center sector, much of that interest is coming from companies that manufacture components, supply equipment or provide services to the facilities. How much has international investment grown in the last 10 years? International investment has grown significantly as a share of our work. In the early years, international projects represented about 20 percent of our pipeline. That share has reached as high as 45 percent, and international companies accounted for 42 percent of our project wins last year. What makes the Region attractive to companies establishing or expanding U.S. operations? The Columbus Region offers international companies a strong combination of location, market access, supply chain depth, talent and affordability. Because much of our international investment is manufacturing-based, companies value Ohio’s proximity to suppliers and customers. Our central location helps them move products quickly, while higher education leaders like Ohio State provide a steady talent pipeline. Ohio’s broader business climate, including taxes, labor costs, workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, also makes the all-in cost of operating here competitive. What amenities are important to these companies? Air service is one of the first considerations we

hear about. Executives want to reach the market quickly and give their employees convenient connections to customers, colleagues and headquarters. Quality of life also matters, particularly for executives relocating with their families. They look closely at schools, housing, restaurants, entertainment and whether Columbus feels like a place where their families can thrive. What surprises international executives when they visit the Region? I often say that if we can get a company to visit, we have a strong chance of making its shortlist. Executives are often impressed by how vibrant Columbus is and by the collaborative spirit they encounter here. Business, government and academic leaders can come together quickly, make the right connections and move work forward. That level of access and responsiveness leaves a strong impression. How does One Columbus help companies navigate the terrain as they enter the U.S. market? Companies typically begin considering a U.S. operation after they have established sales here. Once they are ready to evaluate a physical presence, One Columbus serves as a single point of contact and guides them through the process. We help them understand communities across the Region, identify potential sites and buildings and connect with legal, banking, real estate and other professional services. We also assist executives and their families with practical needs such as housing and schools. Our role is to make an unfamiliar process easier to navigate from the first conversation through the company’s launch. What unique considerations do these companies have compared with a U.S.-based business? International companies need

deeper guidance as they navigate unfamiliar legal, financial and business systems, often while relocating executives and their families. We can be a lifeline by providing trusted local knowledge and connecting them with the right people at each step. Have there been times when you went above and beyond to help a prospect? I try to bring that level of commitment to every prospect. We talk about providing “unreasonable hospitality,” which means listening closely, anticipating needs and making every interaction count. During a recent visit from a United Kingdom prospect, the executive opened his notes at dinner. He had titled them “Why Columbus Is Winning” and listed what had impressed him during two days in the Region. That was gratifying because it showed that the experience had translated Columbus’ strengths into something meaningful for the company. What’s the most rewarding part of your job? The reward is twofold. First, I get to help a company enter the U.S. market with the relationships and resources it needs to succeed. At the same time, that investment creates opportunities for people in our communities to build skills, advance their careers and work for strong companies. Seeing both sides of that impact is incredibly fulfilling. What changes or challenges do you foresee in the next five years? Competition among regions is getting sharper, so we will need to keep evolving with our clients and the global market. We also need to earn public confidence in growth. That requires thoughtful planning, early engagement with residents and clear answers about where growth will occur and how communities will prepare for it. I am competitive and optimistic about the challenge. • ColumbusCEO

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Rendering courtesy Ohio Life Sciences Association

A rendering of the Ohio Life Science Training Center under construction in New Albany

Workforce of the Future Central Ohio colleges and universities are rolling out new programs, and a new training center will boost the life sciences talent pipeline. By Laura Newpoff

★

AssetWatch is a Central Ohio startup success story. Hundreds of facilities run by the world’s most well-known manufacturers rely on its platform to extend their asset life and prevent downtime. At No. 526 on the 2025 Inc. 5000, it is one of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The company has raised $170 million in funding and grown to employ more than 350 people. These milestones happened during its nearly 10-year run operating inside The Point at Otterbein University, where it

built a sensor-based equipment monitoring platform powered by artificial intelligence to help manufacturers maximize reliability. The business originally was founded in 2014 as Nikola Labs, based on wireless power technology developed at Ohio State University. In choosing The Point, AssetWatch found a home for its administrative office, supply chain functions and engineering space. It also gained access to the engineering, computer science and physics departments’ students who study there. The 60,000-square-foot experiential learning facility also contains

co-working, event and lab spaces and what’s billed as “one of the most advanced and dynamic makerspaces in the Midwest.” Will Zell, AssetWatch’s executive chairman and co-founder, says the company had a continuous flow of interaction with Otterbein’s students through instruction, internships and hands-on work inside the company. Engineering students were involved in the prototyping and initial testing of a vibration sensor, which has been successful commercially. “The Point is a very significant asset for the business community,” Zell says. “It rivals any other makerspace you can find out

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The Otterbein campus in Westerville

a company or startup can use to build out a vision or scale a product. It has equipment for design, prototyping, short-run manufacturing and technologies such as a laser engraver, vinyl printer, Computer Numerical Control automated cutting machine router and 3-D printers. “The makerspace was designed to be community accessible, and our students have completed many projects for organizations, and it’s been amazing to watch that growth,” Bender says. “Many students who worked in the makerspace go on to graduate and get a full-time job and bring their company back to be a member. There are tools there that these companies don’t have access to at their facilities. They realize they can make a product or prototype so much faster at The Point.” The Point typically has 12 to 14 full-time tenants and 1,500 to 1,800 students in the facility daily.

Ohio Wesleyan Adds A Degree to Meet Demand Ohio Wesleyan University has announced what it says is the most ambitious academic expansion in its 183-year history: the Conrades School of

Photo courtesy One Columbus

there. To have the integration of the students being able to learn about engineering and design as part of the coursework and also apply what they learn in the same facility for a for-profit business is a pretty powerful combination.” The company has hired several Otterbein students who remain with AssetWatch. It moved to a new, larger headquarters in Dublin in 2025. The Point, which opened in 2016, is an example of how institutions of higher education continue to innovate to respond to the workforce needs of Central Ohio employers. It was created in partnership with the city of Westerville and with the support of corporate partners and private donors. The facility was designed to provide an experiential learning opportunity for students and also support economic growth in the city, says Erin Bender, The Point’s executive director. Tenants are asked to provide student experiences as part of their lease agreement, whether through internships, working with them in the makerspace on capstone projects or hiring them for gigs. The 5,000-square-foot makerspace is equipped with bestin-class technology and tools

Engineering, which will welcome its first mechanical engineering majors in fall 2027. The new school within the liberal arts institution will ensure that future engineers blend their deep technical ability with humanity, curiosity and the confidence to lead, says President Matt vandenBerg. “Columbus is experiencing explosive growth, especially in advanced manufacturing,” he says. “With that growth comes an urgent, unmet need for engineers. We speak frequently with employers, and they’ve made it incredibly clear to us that the industry needs better engineering solutions and partnerships from higher education. It’s a big rallying cry. We exist to serve and saw an opportunity to do just that and to add value. Meanwhile, student demand for engineering is soaring right now. Even at a liberal arts college, among student applicants yearly, engineering is the most common degree requested. That was a powerful data point for us.” The Conrades School will be powered by $17 million in alumni philanthropy. It is named in recognition of university alumni George Conrades and Patricia Belt Conrades, who made a lead gift of $13 million. The university has forged industry partnerships with digital infrastructure technologies business Vertiv, which will give students priority interview consideration for summer internships. Engineering simulation and 3D design software business Ansys will provide access to its software through the Ansys Academic Program.

Denison Focuses On Data Sciences New in 2026 at Denison University is the Emily Hauser King and Robert E. King Center for Data & Innovation. It anchors the $30.5 million renovation and expansion of the historic Doane Hall, positioning the university to integrate data across the liberal • ColumbusCEO

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arts curriculum. Doane Hall was renamed the Dale and Tina Knobel Hall in recognition of a lead gift from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation to support the building’s renovation. Dale Knobel served as Denison’s president from 1998 to 2013. The King Center will house Denison’s computer science and data analytics departments and also will serve as a resource for mathematics, humanities, economics and data for political research. It is a “defining moment” for Denison, says President Adam Weinberg. “The liberal arts give the data sciences their heart, their soul and their greatness,” he said when the center was announced. “Our students will not only master technical skills, but also learn to ask the right questions, tell compelling stories and lead with integrity.” As a member of the Columbus Partnership, Weinberg says he frequently speaks with CEOs and human resources directors. They tell him they need future workers with three distinct but compatible sets of skills and habits: proficiency with data and AI; durable skills

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such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication; and workplace skills, including reliability, punctuality and the ability to work as part of a diverse team. The new center will make Denison a draw for students who want to build careers and thrive in a world increasingly shaped by data while staying true to a classical liberal arts education. “The future is all about talent,” Weinberg says. “In Columbus, companies really need Denison and colleges like us to be net importers of talent. We have a lot of Ohio students, but we pull in students from all over the country who never would have thought about living in Ohio. They spend four years here and stay and contribute to the economy for years to come.”

Boosting the Life Sciences Pipeline With Training Backed by $30 million from JobsOhio and nearly $10 million in other public and private support, the Ohio Life Science Training Center will open in the New Albany International Business Park in 2027. The city of New

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Albany is contributing $5 million to the project, which will benefit from a growing health and life sciences industry cluster at the park, including businesses such as Amgen Inc., American Regent Inc., Hims & Hers and Pharmavite. The center will support employers across Ohio and strengthen the state’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. According to the Ohio Life Sciences Association, the life science industry employs 18,000 people in the Columbus Region and 64,000 statewide. The investment will support Ohio’s capture of the $500 billion-plus domestic biomanufacturing expansion that the pharmaceutical industry has announced in the last year and the 3,300 Ohio-based life science jobs created over the past five years, according to the project announcement. Not only is the center expected to fill the need for skilled talent in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing, it also will make Ohio a more attractive destination for companies expanding U.S.based drug manufacturing, says Eddie Pauline, president and CEO of the Ohio Life Sciences Association and Ohio Life Sciences Institute. That’s important in the context of being able to compete for projects like Eli Lilly and Co.’s $3.5 billion facility being built near Allentown, Pennsylvania, or Genentech Inc.’s $2 billion plant under construction in Holly Springs, North Carolina. “Ohio has been able to satisfy the industry’s current talent demands, but the concern is: How do we accommodate the next multibillion-dollar opportunity?” Pauline says. “Industry is asking, ‘Is all the talent taken already or do we have more to provide?’ That skepticism may have influenced some recent opportunities to choose other states to expand to. The direct feedback was, ‘Where is your training center?’ It was

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a wake-up call and a challenge to the state that JobsOhio quickly responded to with this transformational investment. We will now be in a better position to win more life sciences and biomanufacturing opportunities.” The Ohio Life Sciences Institute will operate the training center and collaborate with industry, higher education institutions, community colleges and technical schools to expand training across the state. Columbus State Community College will be the first training partner. In partnership with the Ohio Life Sciences Association, it offers a Biotechnology Manufacturing Bootcamp and was instrumental in training partnerships with Andelyn Biosciences and Amgen. It also offers an associate degree in biotechnology. The new center will be “transformational” for the life sciences industry in the state, says Michell Ward, Columbus State’s senior director of learning innovation and strategic partnerships. Employers will see how much it resembles a real manufacturing environment and be confident about the training that occurs there. “You can become an entry-level operator technician with training from the bootcamp and then move into the associate degree program or even transfer into a four-year program that will give you options for researcher or scientist roles,” Ward says. “This has all come together within the last five years. It’s a testament to how much Ohio comes together in a spirit of collaboration when there’s a workforce need. When there’s an opportunity to grow our region and provide lifechanging careers to our students, we go all in. That’s why we’re starting to see the new Ohio Life Science Center take flight. It is proven fertile ground for investment where results have been delivered really quickly.”

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BUILT FOR GROWTH

Photo courtesy One Columbus

Downtown Columbus

The Columbus Region at a Glance 11 counties offer a diverse mix of assets and amenities for businesses and residents.

★

The Columbus Region is growing in population and prominence, with a location ideally suited for both business and residents. The metropolitan area is home to 2.35 million people who live in a variety of communities, from urban core to lively suburbs to bucolic, rural towns. Just as the population is expanding, so too are opportunities for businesses of all sizes. The 11-county Region attracts a diverse array of industries and sectors, including automotive, biotechnology, financial services, health care, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, retail, restaurant headquarters and more.

Higher education has a significant presence via numerous colleges and universities, ranging from community colleges and liberal arts schools to the R1 research power of Ohio State University. Career and vocational programs are represented, as well. From Fortune 100 ranked powerhouses to family businesses, companies of all sizes prosper here. A communitywide spirit of cooperation and a culture of innovation set the Columbus Region apart, fostering an environment where people and businesses thrive. Data sources: population from 2025 Census estimates; population projections from Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission; age, households and income from Esri 2026

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Photos courtesy One Columbus (2)

D E L AWA R E

Game day at Ohio Wesleyan University

The City of Powell

Population

242,032 Median age

40.2

Median household income

$139,096

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

60.96%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

DELAWARE COUNTY, the second-fastest-growing county in the Columbus Region, offers a thriving mix of business and residential communities. More than 60 percent of the county’s residents have a bachelor’s degree, and there are three higher education institutions: Ohio Wesleyan University, Columbus State Community College (Delaware Campus) and Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Recreational opportunities and parks abound. The county has 140 miles of shoreline along its rivers, lakes and reservoirs—the most in the state—yet sits just 25 miles north of Downtown Columbus.

80.17%

Photo by Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch

Boats docked in Hoover Reservoir marina

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FA I R F I E L D

Rockside Winery and Vineyards near Lancaster

Population

169,752 Median age

40.3

Photo courtesy One Columbus

Median household income

$93,703

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

33.85%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

33.41%

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Downtown Lancaster

Photo courtesy Bryan M. Everitt

Photo courtesy One Columbus

A student at the Fairfield County Workforce Center

FAIRFIELD COUNTY offers a blend of metropolitan and rural communities, all of which have a variety of amenities for both businesses and residents. The third-fastest-growing county in Ohio over the past decade, it is home to more than 4,300 businesses. Residents can take advantage of more than 5,000 acres of parkland and preserves, as well as a portion of the scenic Hocking Hills region. The county has a rich history in farming, as well as manufacturing.

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COLUMBUS IS OHIO’S capital city and the seat of Franklin County, creating a strong political center and a robust economic environment. The county has strong public-private sector alliances, as well as a robust mix of thriving businesses, highly ranked educational institutions, and lively arts and dining scenes. Capitalizing on its reputation as a growing tech hub, Franklin County attracts emerging industries, renowned researchers, entrepreneurs, young professionals and forward-thinking leaders.

A deer sculpture on the Rich Street bridge in Columbus

The Dublin Link bridge

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Photos courtesy One Columbus

Downtown Columbus, as seen from Grandview Heights

FRANKLIN

Population

1,361,536 Median age

35.5

Median household income

$81,392

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

33.84%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

26.07%

Grandview Café

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A scenic waterway in Knox County

KNOX COUNTY is deeply connected to the Columbus metropolitan area, yet offers a rural lifestyle and some of the most beautiful landscape views in Ohio. Mount Vernon, the largest city and the county seat, is surrounded by development-minded communities. Knox County values education, with highly ranked schools and higher education institutions, including Kenyon College in Gambier and Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

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Lakefront homes at Apple Valley

KNOX

Population

64,002 Median age

39.9

Median household income

$78,482

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

26%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

10.96%

Learn More

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Start your

A rendering of Intel’s Ohio One campus Rendering courtesy Intel

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at columbusceo.com.

LICKING

Population

185,564 Median age

40.9

Median household income

$94,295

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

30.81%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

30.93%

LICKING COUNTY offers a high quality of life and low cost of living. For many businesses and residents, it’s an ideal mix of small-town charm and big-city benefits. Existing infrastructure, land availability and incentives for new and growing businesses encourage economic growth. Significant investments are ongoing in the New Albany International Business Park, part of which sits in Licking County. Three higher education institutions—Denison University, Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College—help to foster a diverse and talented workforce.

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Court Avenue in Bellefontaine

Photo courtesy One Columbus

LOGAN

Population

46,302 Median age

43.5

Median household income

$73,831

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

19.77%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

3.42%

LOGAN COUNTY, just 60 minutes from Downtown Columbus, is home to thriving communities such as Bellefontaine, Indian Lake and West Liberty. Industry is expanding and businesses continue to invest in the local economy; about 10,000 people commute to work here daily. The county is home to Campbell Hill, the highest point in Ohio, as well as Transportation Research Center Inc., which is the nation’s largest independent vehicle test facility and proving ground.

DEVELOP WITH US We’ve been preparing Fairfield County for continued development. The only thing missing is YOU! • We have people – 4th fastest growing county in the state • We have education – new schools and new career-tech programs • We have workforce – award-winning Workforce Center • We have infrastructure – shovelready sites

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MADISON

Population

46,985

Downtown London

41.6

Median household income

$90,840

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

25.67%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

30.86%

MADISON COUNTY offers a rich agricultural heritage, a growing business sector and a strong sense of community. With 88 percent of its land used for farming, the county ranks fourth in Ohio for both corn and soybean production. It is also home to successful companies in a variety of industries, as well as a Battelle research facility and strong local school districts.

The Madison County Courthouse in London

Photos courtesy One Columbus

Median age

A great place to live, work and do business – today and for generations to come

The Columbus Region is experiencing extraordinary growth – and Gahanna is growing with it. Significant new private investment, a diverse economy, and a talent-rich community are fueling our momentum – and we’re investing in what comes next.

A new Civic Center and high school are investments designed to serve our community for decades to come. Plans to reimagine our downtown are creating new opportunities for a vibrant, connected hub at the heart of our community.

Gahanna is growing with purpose. There’s room to grow with us. Learn more at Gahanna.gov

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MARION

Photo courtesy One Columbus

The Harding Memorial in Marion honors President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence.

MARION COUNTY prides itself on innovation and workforce development. With a collaborative business environment and higher education offerings including a branch of Ohio State University and Marion Technical College, the county has amenities that allow both companies and families to thrive. Beyond higher education institutions, it is home to RAMTEC Ohio, a leader in robotics and advanced manufacturing certifications.

Population

65,115

Median age

41.8

Median household income

$67,553

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

15.65%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

-1.36%

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MORROW

Population

36,305 Median age

43.2

Median household income

$76,702

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

20.58%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

20.59%

The Morrow County Courthouse in Mount Gilead

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MORROW COUNTY is strengthening its employment opportunities and economic base with a mix of locally founded and nationally known businesses. Its smalltown atmosphere and strong manufacturing presence contribute to its growth. The county is home to global employers such as Cardington Yutaka Technologies Inc. and home-grown brands like Lubrication Specialties Inc. Proximity to Interstate 71 allows for an easy drive south to Columbus for business or pleasure.

FALL CERTIFICATION COHORTS ARE NOW ENROLLING.

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P I C K AWAY

TECHNOLOGY ISN’T THE STRATEGY.

Population

62,978

Knowing when, why, and how to use it is what creates value.

Median age

40.7

At augustwenty, we help organizations solve complex business challenges by putting business strategy first and technology second.

Median household income

$74,161

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

We Build Valuable Things.

22.98%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

34.62%

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The Pumpkin Show Mural in Circleville

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The Pickaway County Courthouse in Circleville

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PICKAWAY COUNTY’S population of nearly 63,000 people is expected to grow by more than a third in the next 25 years. The area has rural charm but also offers the conveniences that come from being part of the Columbus metropolitan area. The county, situated along Interstate 71, has welldeveloped transportation and utility infrastructure systems to accommodate a variety of industrial and business needs. DuPont, PPG Industries Inc. and Geogia-Pacific all have local operations.

We’re on the edge of Central Ohio’s final frontier, with 4,500+ homes planned, a 515-acre commercial park, and a get-it-done attitude built for business.

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Photo courtesy One Columbus

Uptown Marysville

UNION

Population

73,446 Median age

38.7

Median household income

$125,907

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher

40.78%

Projected population growth 2021-2050

48.84%

INSIDER NEWSLETTER

Get the latest in Central Ohio business news and events delivered to your inbox every other week.

columbusceo.com/newsletters

UNION COUNTY is one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, and local leaders place a strong emphasis on economic diversification. The county offers many advantages, including a diverse and highly skilled workforce and low costs of living and doing business. Workers and residents also enjoy direct access to surrounding metropolitan areas. The Beta District innovation corridor along U.S. Route 33 hosts a variety of companies, as well as the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, which allows companies to test vehicle innovations in real-world conditions.

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Thank You,

INVESTORS ■ ONE COLUMBUS INVESTORS • PRIVATE INVESTORS • 3c Industries • 3 Pillar Homes • Abbott Laboratories • Accenture • ACP of Ohio • Adena Corporation • Advanced Civil Design • Advanced Drainage Systems • Alston Construction • Altafiber • Amazon.com • Amazon Web Services • American Electric Power • American Structurepoint • Anderson Aluminum Corporation • Anderson Concrete Corporation • AndHealth • Archall • ARCO Design/ Build • Artemis Consultants • Ascension Construction Solutions • AT&T • B&S Site Development, Midwest Division • Bank of America, National Association • Barnes & Thornburg • Battelle Memorial Institute • Bechtel • BeecherHill • Bob Evans Farms • Bread Financial • Bricker Graydon Wyatt • Buckeye State Bank • Builders Exchange of Central Ohio • Building Industry Association of Central Ohio • Burgess & Niple • Burns McDonnell • Byers, Minton & Associates • Calfee, Halter & Griswold • Capital Choice Office Furniture • Cardinal Health • CAS • Casto • CBC Companies • CBRE • Central Ohio Associated General Contractors • Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) • Centric Consulting • Charter Communications • CK Construction • Colliers International • Columbia Gas of Ohio • Columbus Blue Jackets • Columbus/ Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council • Columbus Micro Systems • Columbus REALTORS • Compass Homes • Connect Housing Blocks • Construction One • Continental Building Company • Continental Office • Contract Lumber • CoverMyMeds • Crane Group • Crawford Hoying • CTL Engineering • CT Realty • Cushman & Wakefield • Danbert • Danis Building Construction Company • Del-Co Water Company • Deloitte • Denier Electric Co. • DesignGroup • DHL Supply Chain • Dispatch Media Group • DLR Group • DLZ Corporation • Dublin Building Systems • Dugan & Meyers • Dune Companies • Dupler Office • EDGE • Edwards Companies • Electrical Specialists • Elford • EMH&T • Encova Holdings • ENGIE North America • Environmental Management • Ernst & Young • EXXCEL Project Management • Fahlgren Mortine • FBT Gibbons • Feazel • Fifth Third Bank • First Commonwealth Bank • First Financial Bank • First Merchants Bank • G & J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers • g2o • Gallagher • GBQ Partners • Geis Companies • Gensler • George J. Igel & Co. • Gilbane Building Company • Glo Fiber • Global Recruiters–Dublin • Gold Development Company • Google Cloud • Grange Insurance Company • GRN Columbus • Hamilton Capital Management • Hamilton Parker Company • HDR • Heapy Engineering • Heartland Bank • HGC Construction • HNTB • Holder Construction • Honda • Huntington • Ice Miller • IGS Energy • Illuminate USA • InnoSource • Installed Building Products • Intel Corporation • Interior Supply • Jezerinac, Geers & Associates • JobsOhio • Jones Lang LaSalle • JPMorganChase • Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter Co. • KEMBA Financial Credit Union • KeyBank • King Business Interiors • Kohr Royer Griffith • Kokosing Industrial • Korda/Nemeth Engineering • KPMG • LeadingEDJE • Lehman Daman Construction Services • Lincoln Property Company • Lockton Companies • Loeb Electric and Loeb Lighting Services • LOTH • LXP • M/I Homes • Malone Workforce Solutions • Marker • Marous Brothers Construction • Marsh & McLennan Agency • McDaniel’s Construction Corporation • McGohan Brabender Insurance • MCPC • Meacham & Apel, Architects • Messer Construction Co. • Metro Development • Mid-City Electric • Midwest Motor Supply Co. • Miles-McClellan Construction Company • Miller Brothers Construction • Miller Valentine Group • Moody Nolan • Morgan Stanley & Co. • Mount Carmel Health System • MPW Industrial Services • ms consultants • Nationwide Children’s Hospital • Nationwide • NBBJ • NetJets • Norfolk Southern Corporation • North Coast Gas Transmission • Northeast Ohio Natural Gas/Hope Utilities • Northwest Bank • ODW Logistics • Ohio Equities • OhioHealth Corporation • Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives • Osborn Engineering • Oswald Companies • Overmyer Hall Associates, A Hub International Company • Park National Corporation • Paul Werth Associates • Peoples Bank • Pepper Construction • Plante Moran

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The Columbus Region’s success story is written by those who invest in it. To our partners in progress: thank you. Your investment fuels economic growth, drives innovation and builds stronger communities across our region.

• PNC Bank • Porter Wright Morris & Arthur • Power Connect • Prater Engineering Associates • Prologis • PSC Crane & Rigging • Quantum Health • Rackspace Technology • Radiant Technologies • Re/Max Town Center • Rea & Associates • Refectory Restaurant and Bistro • Regional Council of Carpenters • Resource International • Robertson Construction Services • Roetzel & Andress • Rudolph Brothers & Co. • Ruscilli Construction Co. • S&ME • Safelite • Salas O’Brien • Sands Decker CPS • Schneider Downs & Co. • ScottsMiracle-Gro • Settle Muter Electric • Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio • Southeastern Equipment • Southgate Corporation • Squire Patton Boggs • Stewart Title Company • Stonehenge Partners • Supreme Builders • Team Fishel • Telhio Credit Union • Tenby Partners • Terracon • The Cleary Company • The Collaborative • The Daimler Group • The Energy Cooperative • The Kleingers Group • The Kroger Co. • The Mannik & Smith Group • The Marzetti Company • The Montrose Group • The New Albany Company • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center • The Painting Company • The Robert Weiler Company • The Ruhlin Company • The Village Network • The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company • Thompson Hine • Trident Capital Group • Trillium Staffing • Triversity Construction • TS Tech Americas • Turner Construction Company • Tuttle Construction • U.S. Bank • USI Insurance Services • Valley Interior Systems • VanTrust Real Estate • Verdantas • Vertiv • Vorys • Ware Malcomb • Wellogy Design • Whitestone Companies • WillScot • Woolpert • Worthington Enterprises • Wright-Patt Credit Union • WSA Studio PUBLIC INVESTORS/ MID-OHIO DEVELOPMENT EXCHANGE • Delaware County • Fairfield County/ Fairfield 33 Alliance • Franklin County • Grow Licking County • Knox County Area Development Foundation • Logan County Chamber • Madison County • Marion CAN DO! • Morrow County • Pickaway Progress Partnership • Union County Chamber • City of Canal Winchester • City of Columbus • City of Delaware • City of Dublin • City of Gahanna • City of Grandview Heights • City of Grove City • City of Groveport • City of Hilliard • City of New Albany • City of Powell • City of Reynoldsburg • City of Upper Arlington • City of Westerville • City of Whitehall • City of Worthington • Village of Plain City ACADEMIC INVESTORS • Bowling Green State University • Capital University • Columbus State Community College • Denison University • Kenyon College • Otterbein University • The Ohio State University • Tolles Career & Technical Center ■ COLUMBUS PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS • Abbott • Accenture • Advanced Drainage Systems • American Electric Power • AndHealth • AT&T • Axium Packaging • Bath & Body Works • Battelle • Bread Financial • Calfee, Halter & Griswold • Cameron Mitchell Restaurants • Cardinal Health • CAS • CK Construction Group • Columbus Crew • Columbus Regional Airport Authority • Columbus State Community College • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • CoverMyMeds • Crane Group • Crawford Hoying • Deloitte • Denison University • DHL Supply Chain • Donatos Pizza • EMH&T • Encova Insurance • Ernst & Young • Fifth Third Bank • Grange Insurance • Greif • Hexion • Honda • Huntington • IBM • IGS Energy • InnoSource • Installed Building Products | Edwards Companies • JMAC • Jones Day • JPMorganChase • KeyBank • KPMG • Lower • Marzetti Company • M/I Homes • Modular Assembly Innovations • Moody Nolan • Mount Carmel Health System • Nationwide • Nationwide Children’s Hospital • NCT Ventures • NetJets • NiSource • OH.io Ventures Holding • OhioHealth • Orange Barrel Media • Pelotonia • PNC Bank • PwC • Quantum Health • Rockbridge • Root Insurance • Rumpke Waste and Recycling • Safelite • ScottsMiracle-Gro • Smoot Construction • Squire Patton Boggs • The Champion Companies • The Columbus Foundation • The Memorial Tournament • The New Albany Company • The Ohio State University • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center • The Pizzuti Companies • Vertiv • Victoria’s Secret • Vorys • Worthington Enterprises [as of 9/1/2026]

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Columbus CEO Special Section: One Columbus | Built for Growth (2026)