Columbus CEO Special Section: One Columbus | Evolving the Future Economy (2025) by Dispatch Magazines/The Columbus Dispatch

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Central Ohio’s Logistics Edge:

DHL Supply Chain CEO Mark Kunar on the Company’s People,

Technology and Community Focus

Westerville-based DHL Supply Chain North America, part of DHL Group, provides market-leading contract logistics services—including warehousing, transportation and value-added solutions—to a broad range of companies. Company veteran Mark Kunar, the recently appointed CEO, shares why central Ohio is the ideal location to support the next phase of the company’s growth— and how the company is contributing to the community.

Mark Kunar is CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America, bringing nearly three decades of experience within the company to the role, including serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. As Chief Strategy Officer, Mark was instrumental in shaping the company’s long-term vision, driving growth initiatives and overseeing the integration of major acquisitions. As CEO, he leads a workforce of more than 40,000 associates in executing the company’s strategic vision for sustained growth from the company headquarters in Westerville, Ohio. A long-term leader in the central Ohio community, Mark serves as a board member for both the Columbus Partnership and the American Red Cross in the Greater Columbus Region. Mark has been a member of the central Ohio community for 31 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University, where he met his wife, Mindy, and earned his MBA from The Ohio State University. Mark and Mindy are proud parents to four adult children and their dog, Poppy.

With trade in the news almost every day, this must be a very interesting time to lead a company playing such an important role in the supply chains we all depend on every day. How is DHL dealing with the changes?

Kunar: It’s always an interesting time in our industry. Whether it’s helping companies navigate trade, respond to global disruptions like the pandemic or adapt to the growth of e-commerce, logistics is all about overcoming the myriad of challenges that can prevent goods from reaching the people who need them. I’m very fortunate to lead an organization that has the people, processes and technology to do that consistently. We are an established leader in the industry, have a great culture and a clear path to significant growth in the next five years. My job is to leverage those strengths to capitalize on the opportunities that are available to us.

The central Ohio region is recognized as a logistics hub. What does being headquartered here mean for DHL Supply Chain?

Kunar: Central Ohio has geographic, infrastructure and economic advantages that make this area an ideal location for distribution centers. Among our more than 500 operating sites across North America, several of the larger ones are in central Ohio due to those advantages. We could have located our headquarters in any number of places, and we chose central Ohio. While DHL Group is based in Bonn, Germany, DHL Supply Chain North America’s roots in the region date back to 1989, and central Ohio has been instrumental in our growth.

As a global organization, we frequently welcome international travelers to our sites in Westerville and throughout the region, which not only elevates the profile of central Ohio but also supports our local economy.

Most importantly, though, we are only as strong as our people, and operating out of central Ohio has enabled us to consistently attract and retain top talent that creates a competitive advantage.

Beyond the location, what have been the keys to success you will build on to achieve your growth goals?

Kunar: It starts with people. We have a culture based on results and respect, and that makes DHL a very fulfilling and rewarding place to work. We strive to be the employer-ofchoice in our industry so we can deliver the best results for our customers. Related to the quality of our people is our focus on operational excellence. Our customers need their supply chains to be predictable, which means goods arrive where and when they are supposed to every time. We excel at delivering that level of predictability.

We are seeing DHL Supply Chain more in the community lately, particularly on the uniforms of the Columbus Crew Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Is that by design?

Kunar: We’re very excited about our partnership with the Columbus Crew, but that’s just one way we are engaging with the communities in which we operate. Across our network, we empower our associates to support their communities through participation in local food drives, community clean-ups, youth education programs and other activities.

Because we’re headquartered here, our scale allows us to make a bigger difference in the community. For example, we recently marked 15 years of support for Pelotonia, raising over $2.46 million to help end cancer over that time. This year, we deepened our commitment by becoming a Pelotonia Roundtable partner and an RTRX sponsor. This investment not only advances cancer research but will also drive healthcare innovation and strengthen the Columbus Region as a hub for businesses that want to make a real impact.

Another program we are proud of is our partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland, which has resulted in a curriculum that allows scouts to achieve a patch for solving common logistics challenges like determining efficient delivery routes for goods. We are also a long-standing partner of the American Red Cross locally and nationally. In fact, last year, we donated $500,000 to their Annual Disaster Giving Program, which helps ensure the Red Cross is prepared to meet the needs of people affected by disasters across the U.S.

What’s next for DHL Supply Chain?

The third key is innovation. We have been at the forefront of accelerating digitalization within the supply chain to drive improvements in productivity, efficiency and speed. Whether it’s more intelligent management systems, robotics and automation, or advanced analytics and AI, supply chain digitalization allows us to deliver even greater value to our customers.

As supply chains get more and more complex, the demand for the outsourced services we provide is expected to grow, and we are well positioned to take advantage of that growth. This year we have made several acquisitions that have expanded and strengthened our eCommerce business with a particular focus on returns and meeting the needs of midsize companies. We are now the largest provider of reverse logistics solutions in North America. We are exploring other opportunities to grow through acquisition while continuing to drive organic growth in our core solutions and maintaining our focus on operational excellence and innovation.

Every aspect of the New Albany International Business Park is the result of strategic thinking. The infrastructure. The critical technology assets. The campus alignment. Even the freeway access. It was all designed so you could spend less time thinking about where your business is located and more time thinking about your next strategic business move.

We believe achievements that have a positive impact on people and the community should always be recognized.

Thank you, Lara DeLeone, for your dedication, and congratulations on being named Chair of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Board. Your commitment to others is inspiring.

Lara DeLeone

KeyBank Central Ohio Market President

Lara DeLeone

Innovation Starts Here

cultivating value, enriching lives.

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Central

The

General Manager

Dispatch Magazines

Katy Smith

CONTENT

Editor

Julanne Hohbach

Contributors

Tim Feran

Emma Frankart Henterly

Laura Newpoff

Peter Tonguette

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Page Designers

Kathryn Biek

Kelly Hignite

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo Editor

Tim Johnson

ADVERTISING

Multimedia Sales Managers

Heather Kritter

Adam Trabitz

Production Designer

Rebecca Zimmer

MARKETING

Marketing Manager

Lauren Reinhard

Subscriptions/Customer Service

760-237-8505

columbusceo@pcspublink.com

Editorial/Advertising Offices

605 S. Front St., Suite 300

Columbus, OH 43215

One Columbus, a supplement to Columbus CEO, is published annually by Gannett. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted © 2025, 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.

Dispatch

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 2.3 million people, it’s also home to some of the world’s most recognizable brands, innovative small businesses, powerhouse research hubs and top-notch 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 2010, the One Columbus team has helped more than 680 companies achieve their growth goals by locating or expanding in the Columbus Region, resulting in over $49 billion worth of capital investment and more than 80,300 new jobs committed.

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Marc D. Reitter, Secretary

President and Chief Operating Officer, AEP Ohio and American Electric Power Company Inc.

Mark Berven, Treasurer

President and Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide Property & Casualty

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, JPMorganChase

Tim Hall

Area President, M/I Homes Inc.

Jessica L. Mayer

Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Cardinal Health

John McWhorter

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, OhioHealth

Gregory R. Overmyer

CEO, Overmyer Hall Associates, a HUB International company

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

Sean Grant

Chief Financial Officer, The Columbus Partnership

Jason Hall

CEO, The Columbus Partnership

Kenny McDonald

President and CEO, One Columbus

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Meeting the Moment

★Columbus is no longer on the rise. It has arrived.

Our metro is one of the strongest economies in the country because we built for this moment. A long-term strategy has created the foundation for durable growth. We made bold choices. We aligned public and private leadership. We stayed focused. That discipline is paying off.

One Columbus, the business attraction arm of The Columbus Partnership, plays a key role in this success. Its work has helped bring new companies to the region, expand existing ones and guide investment that is benefitting all of Ohio.

Columbus is proving to be the leading job-creating metro in the Midwest and continues to outpace peer regions. At the same time, we’re staying ahead of the curve as the global economy transforms.

Our growth is not just fast, it’s strategic, future-facing and grounded in innovation.

We’ve reached an all-time high of 18 Fortune 1000 headquarters. On a

#1 job-creating metro in the Midwest —U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

13 straight years as a top 10 economic development metro —Site Selection Magazine

per capita basis, our Fortune 1000 base ranks near the top nationally, beating out cities like Seattle, Miami and San Diego. These companies are not just locating here. They are building here, investing here and leading here.

Major infrastructure is rising to match that scale. A $3 billion airport project will set a new standard for global connectivity. LinkUS, our regionwide mobility initiative, will connect more people to more opportunity, helping ensure a more inclusive economy for all.

Columbus is building a model for what a modern metro can be. The opportunity here is real, and the momentum is accelerating.

If you want to be part of what’s next, take a closer look. Columbus is ready.

Jason Hall CEO, The

Columbus Partnership

#3 metro per capita for Fortune 1000 companies —Fortune

#4 fastest-growing tech hub —CIO

2025 “star hub” of the AI economy —Brookings

Photos courtesy One Columbus

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

An Evolving Economy

Advanced manufacturing and life sciences are fueling investment and helping to redefine the Columbus Region’s future.

By Emma Frankart Henterly

★In summer 2024, an unassuming 600-acre plot along Airbase Road near Rickenbacker International Airport was little more than an empty building and open fields. By summer 2026, the parcel will be transformed into Arsenal-1, a first-of-its-kind hyperscale manufacturing facility for defense technology manufacturer Anduril Industries.

Talks for the deal began in August 2024, with Anduril informing state and local leaders of their successful bid on New Year’s Eve and a public

announcement following on Jan. 16, 2025. By mid-July, the company had begun work on the site’s existing building and razed the footprint for a second, with foundation work scheduled for the fall and early operations projected to begin in July 2026.

It seems like a short timeline for a project that promises to redefine the scale and speed of production for autonomous systems and weapons, but it’s in line with the Costa Mesa, California-based company’s ethos, right down to the site selection process. “We move and we build quickly,” says Zachary Mears, senior vice

president of strategy for the company. “We look for those partners that can move at our pace.”

Anduril found it in the Columbus Region, thanks to a collaborative approach to economic development, a robust logistics infrastructure, strong local and state incentives, and proximity to a skilled and diverse manufacturing workforce and the educational institutions that drive it. Additionally, the area also had an abundance of industry partners and customers and a reputation as a leader in both advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense technology.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

The Downtown Columbus skyline

Mears, an Ohio native and Ohio State University alumnus, was involved in the site selection process—but this isn’t a mere case of “who you know.”

Pickaway County leaders had spent years positioning the parcel as an attractive home for manufacturing processes, learning from failures along the way while the Region continued to grow its list of national and global companies investing in local facilities.

“We’ve been building toward this moment for over a decade,” says Kenny McDonald, president and CEO of One Columbus, the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region. In that time, he notes, Central Ohio has attracted Silicon Valley’s “hit list,” including: Google, with three campuses; Amazon, with multiple Amazon Web Services campuses and distribution facilities; Facebook parent company Meta Platforms Inc., whose New Albany data center represents its largest land holding in the world; and Intel’s $28 billion semiconductor facilities.

“Having their presence here, the infrastructure that they’re building out toward the AI economy, is really important,” McDonald says. “And then you’re seeing industrial facilities leverage that for manufacturing capacity. … It’s the beginning of the beginning of a very monumental change in the foundations of our regional economy.”

And the results are already apparent. In July 2025, CNBC ranked Ohio No. 5 on its list of top states for business—up from the previous record-setting spot of No. 7 in 2024. Ohio placed at the top of the list in infrastructure (up from No. 13), held onto its second-place spot in cost of doing business, and rose from No. 12 to No. 6 in technology and innovation.

“We ran a relatively structured and data-driven [search] process,” Mears says of Anduril’s site selection, which narrowed options from all 48 contiguous U.S. states down to Ohio and then specifically the Columbus Region, which Mears notes

“We think the Columbus Region could be, maybe, one of the top 12 to 15 leaders in North America.”

KENNY MCDONALD president and CEO of One Columbus

“won on the merits. … To put together attractive sites and economic packages for projects of the scale as ours—not many states do it well, and most don’t do it as well as Ohio.”

Arsenal-1 is projected to create 4,000 new jobs over the next decade, making its $900 million investment the largest single

Palmer

job-creation and new payroll project in Ohio history; indirect employment such as construction and ancillary services brings that total to 8,500. To support the company, JobsOhio, the state’s private economic development corporation, announced in July 2025 it would provide a $310 million grant for the project, payable over the next decade.

A Catalyst for Change

When Intel announced in early 2022 its plans to build semiconductor manufacturing operations in the New Albany International Business Park, it drove a flurry of activity. Amazon, Meta and Google chose the site—one of the largest strategically planned business parks in the country and the fastest-growing in the Midwest, according to JobsOhio—for new data centers. Intel suppliers began making similar announcements, spurring development of a “tech park” within the larger business park. Originally set to begin operations this year, Intel’s two-factory campus has been delayed to 2030 or beyond amid the company’s financial struggles. But local leaders remain optimistic.

“We think there’s great opportunity in that [changing environment],”

Luckey (right), founder of Anduril Industries, talks with attendees at the company’s Jan. 16, 2025, Arsenal-1 announcement.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

McDonald notes. “We know this won’t be a perfectly predictable or linear change … the waters are going to be a little choppy. But we’re moving forward, and we’re not looking backward.”

In fact, the 9,000-acre New Albany International Business Park in Franklin and Licking counties continues to draw new investment thanks to shovel-ready sites, advanced fiber-optic networks, water and sewer infrastructure, and a diverse mix of tenants, from supply chain logistics to personal care to pharmaceuticals. But such like-attracts-like mentality is not limited to one geographical area, or even a single industry.

“We anticipate that the proliferation of diverse manufacturing plants in the area will not only attract new suppliers, but also encourage existing ones to grow their business or expand their product lines,” says Mike Fischer, executive chief engineer for Honda Development & Manufacturing of America. “That can provide benefits throughout the entire region.”

Honda’s presence in the Colum-

bus Region includes auto plants in Marysville and East Liberty and a partnership in the Battery Cell R&D Center at Ohio State University’s innovation district; the company also operates an engine plant in Anna, a transmission plant in Russells Point and L-H Battery Co., a joint venture with LG Energy Solution set to begin

production of electric vehicle batteries in Fayette County in late 2025.

Training Tomorrow’s Talent

While construction may have slowed at the Intel site, the company’s investment in the Columbus Region has not. A 10-year, $50 million commitment to Ohio’s higher education

A worker inspects vehicles as they come off the line at Honda’s Marysville auto plant.

Photo by Courtney Hergesheimer/The Columbus Dispatch

A Honda technician demonstrates new electric vehicle battery assembly stations at the company’s Marysville plant in January 2025.

institutions, made in 2022, has already begun preparing today’s students to become the workforce of the future, with semiconductorfocused programs and consortiums at Columbus State Community College, Ohio State University and others throughout the state.

Statewide, more than 200 higher education institutions—including five ranked Carnegie R1 for research— produce 6,200 tech graduates annually, according to the governor’s office. In the life sciences sector, Ohio State alone has produced more than 8,700 graduates with degrees in biology, biomedical science, chemistry and pharmacy in the last decade, according to a 2022 report from One Columbus.

“As a region, we need to ensure that young students understand the opportunities that exist for them so they can actually see the variety of careers available in their home state,” says Meredith L. Reffey, department lead of workforce partnerships at American Honda Motor Company Inc. “If they are not aware of the roles, they cannot desire to be in those roles one day.” To that end, the automotive giant annually hosts students from more than 25 Ohio middle and high schools at each of its facilities for immersive Manufacturing Day experiences.

This year, Honda and Ohio State celebrated 25 years of partnership in manufacturing education. In that time, hundreds of students have studied and worked alongside Honda professionals, leading to the development of a state-of-the-art Driver Simulation Lab, Reffey says. The partnership also has resulted in a new automotive manufacturing certificate consisting of 13 credit hours designed to build relevant industry skills.

Columbus State, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a local leader in workforce development programs designed to prepare students for the field faster, thanks to Accelerated Training Centers at its Downtown and Delaware campuses and in the New Albany International Business

We know that a strong relationship with your insurance agent can help prepare you for the unexpected. Our local Encova Insurance independent agents live in your community; they understand your coverage needs and are committed to finding the best solutions to protect what you love most. Find an Encova agent in your encova.com

“Working at Forge means supporting clients who are tackling tough scientific challenges to help patients with rare diseases, making the work we do mission- and purposedriven. Knowing that every role, from finance and supply chain to manufacturing technicians and cGMP [current good manufacturing practices] operations, contributes to our clients’ progress keeps me passionate about my career.”

DIANA VIGIL technician I, GMP Manufacturing, Forge Biologics

Park. The latter, opened in spring 2024, offers short-term certificates designed to support business park employers.

Also of note is its free, 12-week Ohio Life Sciences Biotechnology Bootcamp, developed in collaboration with several area life sciences manufacturers to train workers in good manufacturing practice standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The program is made possible by a $250,000 investment from Ohio Life Sciences, which represents nearly 5,000 life sciences businesses statewide. The college also partners with biopharmaceutical company Amgen Inc., which sponsors apprenticeships for Columbus State students and has provided $50 million to date for hands-on biotech lab exercises in high schools through the Amgen Biotech Experience.

Similarly, gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization Forge Biologics has partnered with the Delaware Area Career Center on a workforce development initiative to create talent pipelines. It also aims to support elementary school STEM engagement through hands-on experiments

Photo courtesy Forge Biologics

Columbus State Community College has multiple workforce training programs and partners with companies such as Amgen Inc.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

Demonstrate your business’s commitment to ethical practices and exceptional customer service by aligning with BBB—an internationally recognized symbol of trust. Differentiate your brand and build lasting credibility with consumers who value integrity.

WHO’S MOVING AND SHAKING IN CENTRAL OHIO?

designed to spark excitement among young learners.

A Biotech Boom

A unique subset of advanced manufacturing, the life sciences industry is enjoying its own meteoric rise in the Columbus Region thanks to a complete chain of processes: established research and development programs at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital; startups and specialized contract-based labs such as Forge Biologics and Andelyn Biosciences Inc.; and large-scale production facilities like Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Amgen Inc. and American Regent Inc.

“We see this being a really exciting time, where you have the whole continuum of a sector,” McDonald says. “The Columbus Region is one of the few areas where you can see all of that in one place.”

That track record and talent pipeline were major draws for Forge Biologics when its founders were looking for a place to establish operations in 2020, says Hannah Munizza, the company’s vice president of marketing.

“They obviously looked at a lot of traditional biotech hubs, like Boston and North Carolina and the Bay Area,” she says. But ultimately, Columbus’ “combination of access to highly trained scientific graduates coming out of one of the largest institutions here in Ohio, coupled with our region’s deep legacy in cell and gene therapy innovation … made it make so much sense to have and build our company here.”

Now, she says, Forge is returning the favor by helping “establish Central Ohio as a recognized hub for advanced therapies and biomanufacturing,” attracting further talent and investment. Forge’s 2021 series B venture capital funding of $120 million was the largest in Ohio history, according to PitchBook.

Forge joins a number of life sciences manufacturers investing or reinvesting in the Columbus Region.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, a division of London-based Hikma, broke ground on an expansion to its existing west Columbus facilities in June. A major manufacturer of more than 800 medicines, Hikma’s expansion will add 130,000 square feet

to support additional research and manufacturing capabilities at what is already the company’s largest U.S. manufacturing center.

Hikma joins pharmaceutical manufacturer American Regent, which announced a multimillion-dollar

expansion and modernization of its New Albany facility in fall 2024, and Amgen, which in April 2025 announced the largest life sciences manufacturing expansion in Ohio’s history. Amgen’s growth comes in the form of a $900 million investment to expand its New Albany manufacturing facility, adding 350 jobs to the 400 already promised after beginning operations in February 2024.

If this sounds like a crowded field for the life sciences sector, worry not. “We fully feel and believe that a rising tide lifts all boats for our industry here,” Forge’s Munizza says. “We’ve worked collaboratively with other biotech and biomanufacturing partners in the region. … We want to make sure that we’re training and developing a workforce that allows for all of our companies to benefit.”

Munizza cites as one example a past partnership with Amgen and Andelyn to develop Columbus State’s Biotech Bootcamp, which she

Hikma Pharmaceuticals senior vice president of Columbus operations Mike Balog (left) talks to U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia) and Hikma President Hafrun Fridriksdottir during a June 2025 plant tour.

Photo courtesy Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA

calls “an example of a success of all of us coming together. … We’ve [consistently] hired people that have come out of that program.”

Collaboration in Service of Innovation

“What you often see in these highly effective tech or biotech communities is, when there’s great success, oftentimes that leads to spinouts and other companies,” Munizza says. “Which is really great, because it builds a really rich ecosystem.” She points to companies such as Sarepta Therapeutics, which opened a Genetic Therapies Center of Excellence in Columbus in 2021 as a

spinoff of Nationwide Children’s Hospital research.

That culture of collaboration plays out in other manufacturing sectors, says Anduril’s Mears. “To be able to call [American Honda Motor Co. Inc. executive vice president] Bob Nelson and have a phone call with him about what Honda’s built here over the last many decades, what it will be building here, why it values Ohio … and then be able to share, to a degree, best practices about how we’re thinking about manufacturing in the future—we certainly sensed an aligned partner, in terms of what we’ll respectively be building locally,” he says.

“Honda has shaped not just my career but who I am. At Honda, everyone is given equal opportunities to grow, regardless of role or background. Being part of a culture that values innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement has pushed me to become a stronger leader and problem-solver. Every day brings new challenges that strengthen our teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.”

MYRON DENTON integrated power unit assembly department production manager

That alignment includes developing agile facilities that employ common machinery and processes applicable to a range of business needs, so companies can meet the demands of a fast-paced and ever-changing market.

For Anduril’s Arsenal-1, common tooling and skilling will be used across the labor force to achieve economies of scale, Mears says, in addition to a software platform called Arsenal OS, which integrates design, development and mass production for all Anduril products.

Honda, meanwhile, is investing more than $1 billion at its facilities in Marysville, East Liberty and Anna to achieve the flexibility to produce internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids and EVs all on one production line. In keeping with the Columbus Region’s reputation for innovation, Honda’s Marysville plant will become the company’s first worldwide to assemble EV battery packs.

Honda is referring to the modernizations as its “second founding,” according to Fischer. And it’s all built on the company’s legacy in Marysville. “EV activity is starting in Ohio and then migrating to other areas … because of what we have built over 40 years,” Fischer says. “Proximity in this key time is vital to collaboration and perfecting the processes we will share with the rest of Honda in North America.”

at Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant

Photo courtesy Honda Development & Manufacturing of America

Amgen and community officials pose for a photo during an April 25, 2025, ceremony to announce a $900 million investment to expand the company’s New Albany manufacturing facility.

Photo by Samantha Madar/The Columbus Dispatch

The investment is projected to create an additional 300 manufacturing roles in Ohio, with a focus on improving both the employee experience and Honda’s environmental impact through sustainable manufacturing practices.

With so much innovation and reimagining of business, staying nimble enough to provide ongoing support is top of mind for local leaders and economic development organizations like One Columbus. “The economy and technology are evolving very, very quickly, and so it’s fair to say that we’re obsessed with the diversification of our economy,” McDonald says. “We think [diversification] makes us not only more resilient locally, but [also] serves a bigger national purpose to become a more resilient nation.”

And while past success may inform future planning, don’t expect Ohio to rest on its laurels.

“What got us here is not going to get us there. … We’re going to be very innovative in our approach, but we’re also going to be very rational and Midwestern about it,” McDonald says. “We think the Columbus Region could be, maybe, one of the top 12 to 15 leaders in North America as an example of where the economy is being transformed and led from.”

Emma Frankart Henterly is a freelance writer.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Photo courtesy One Columbus

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Leading the Way

Technology is driving local growth thanks to assets such as location, infrastructure and a business-friendly climate.

By Tim Feran

★The tech boom continues in Central Ohio, and the region’s success is fast becoming the envy of other parts of the nation.

Longtime entrepreneur and venture capitalist Mark Kvamme knows this well, having gotten quite an earful at the two-day Reindustrialize 2025 summit in Detroit. Tech companies, investors and Trump administration officials, among others, attended the July conference,

which the New York Times says was focused on spurring a U.S. “techno-industrial renaissance.”

“I was talking to some Detroit venture partners who said, ‘We sponsored this, and all anyone wanted to talk about was Ohio,’ ” Kvamme says, chuckling. “It was pretty hilarious.”

But Kvamme, currently the CEO and chief investment officer of the Ohio High-Growth Investment Opportunities (O.H.I.O.) Fund, turns serious when talking about the business advantages of the Columbus Region. “I think we have three

or four of the most important things driving this,” he says.

Among them: affordable real estate, a strategic Midwestern location that’s ideal for logistics, significant industrial projects like Anduril Industries’ drone facility and Intel’s chip plants, plus a skilled, educated workforce.

“We have over the last 10 or 12 years done a really good job at being business friendly,” Kvamme says, “at having a consistency that people can depend on. That’s really, really important.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

The Amazon Web Services data center on Houchard Road south of Post Road in Dublin, as seen in 2023

“There’s been a true partnership between the business community and the public sector, and that partnership has really helped us do the right things and move fast.”

That public-private partnership is embodied by One Columbus, the economic development organization for the 11-county Columbus Region, which is led by President and CEO Kenny McDonald.

“The Midwest and in particular Ohio have become even more attractive to technology companies, especially as ‘industrial tech’ has become a focal point of the largest capital providers to the tech industry,” says McDonald, who also attended the Reindustrialize event.

“Our strategy of building out the cloud infrastructure years ago— which has now evolved into the ‘AI infrastructure’ that promises to be one of the biggest economic shifts in modern history—has been a good one.”

To keep the ball rolling, the Columbus Region “must continue to practice the fundamentals of good economic development, focus on the long term and not the next election cycle, and stay close to its customers/key employers,” McDonald says.

The big players who are driving the AI revolution—Amazon Web Services, Google and Meta Platforms Inc.—“are all here,” McDonald says. “They have seen how Ohio and the Columbus Region do business, and they see the advantages.”

Data Center Boom

According to the Data Center Map online tracker, as of late July 2025, there were 188 data centers in Ohio—120 of which are in the Columbus area. And more are on the way.

In November 2024, Cologix revealed plans for a new 154-acre Johnstown campus housing eight data centers. This summer, EdgeConnex announced it would develop

more than 1.2 million square feet of data center space in New Albany, powered mainly by an on-site natural gas generation facility.

AWS owns the most data centers across the state, with 56 planned or already in operation, according to an April analysis of information from Data Center Map by The Columbus Dispatch. Nearly all of Amazon’s data centers in the state are in Central Ohio, in locations including Hilliard, Dublin, Plain City and New Albany. The city of Columbus itself is home to 23 data centers, the Dispatch analysis found.

By 2030, AWS’ planned investment toward data center expansion in Ohio is forecasted to surpass $23 billion—one of the largest private investment commitments Ohio has ever received. Generative AI is driving increased demand for advanced cloud infrastructure and computing power.

“It is exciting,” says Merle Madrid,

Servers run inside Facebook’s New Albany data center in 2020.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

The Google data center on the South Side of Columbus, photographed in 2023

RANKED #1 IN OHIO, AND #3 IN THE NATION FOR ORTHOPEDICS!

Start with the Specialists. No Referral Required.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

AWS’ public policy manager. “The growth has been monumental. We recognize that growth comes with challenges, but those challenges can be met when you have a state, a region, looking forward and working together to find a path forward.”

The challenges include meeting the demand for water (for cooling servers and other equipment), as well as energy. AWS is committed to being “water positive” by 2030, Madrid says. That is, the company aims to replenish more clean water than its data centers consume, through recycling and reclamation.

“In 2023, 141 times more water was lost to leaks than used by data centers,” Madrid says. “We can use tech to anticipate where breaks occur, and we can actually save a whole lot of water in that way.”

In Ohio, Amazon has invested in 24 wind and solar projects to help offset the energy usage of its data centers and logistics facilities, with a total capacity of 2.7 gigawatts. Once fully operational, these projects will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 520,266 U.S. homes each year.

A Broader Impact

While AWS is determined to mitigate its demand for energy by investing in solar and wind energy, the company doesn’t have to worry too much about powering its local data centers thanks to existing infrastructure.

“There are a lot of reasons for [AWS] to like Central Ohio,” says Marc Reitter, AEP Ohio’s president and chief operating officer. “We’ve done a good job with managing water, we have a robust fiber network, a vibrant community.”

And, in AEP’s case, Reitter says, “what made Central Ohio attractive to these data centers is our 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission network.” The transmission network brings high-voltage power to substations, where it can be “stepped down” to be used by numerous distribution networks. “We’re the only one who has it,” Reitter says.

“I am a veteran and secondgeneration AEP employee. AEP has been providing for my family since my dad started back in 1976. I never saw myself following in his footsteps in becoming a lineman, but it has become part of who I am. Providing an essential need for people, especially during storm restoration, is a very fulfilling feeling. Safety, adaptability and cooperation have made AEP a premier workplace for many families.”

NICK KLEPPER line crew supervisor and 18.5-year employee, AEP Ohio

Photo courtesy Nick Klepper

Photo courtesy Licking County Auditor’s Office

The network is crucial because the energy requirements for the data centers and the demands that AI will continue to bring are immense.

“In Central Ohio, peak demand

is currently 4,600 to 4,700 megawatts,” Reitter says. “It took AEP over 100 years to get to peak demand and I’m going to double that in next five years: We have contracts

[from data centers and other tech businesses] for more than 5,000 megawatts. So, we’ll more than double by 2028. That’s the kind of demand we’re trying to manage.”

Rendering courtesy Cologix

LOOKING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

Kokosing turns plans into reality.

Since 1951, Kokosing constructs facilities that are the backbone of businesses. From greenfield plants, to technology retrofits, to the expansion of existing facilities, our size and strength mean you get from concept to start up and commissioning faster.

It’s a daunting task, Reitter says. “I think often at night of all the different scenarios that this whole AI race plays out.”

Complicating those scenarios is the fact that while everyone knows about the big players, “we’re also getting a ton of interest from companies we’re not familiar with,” Reitter says. “Then there are these co-locator data centers. Then there’s a third bucket—the crypto world— and that can be fairly volatile. And then there’s a fourth bucket, corporate data centers.”

Whatever the case and whoever needs energy, “AEP is strategically positioned to really drive this economic development,” Reitter says. “We’ve got to have the mindset to move fast. Historically, utilities have tended not to move very quickly. But it feels like we’ve broken through that. We try to play fast and play smart.”

– Design Build

– Construction Manager At-Risk

– Engineer Procure Construct

– Self-Performing Capability

– Off-Site Manufacturing

– Advanced Manufacturing

– Data Centers

– Water/ Wastewater Treatment

– Power

– Industrial Processing Facilities

Addressing the rapidly growing demand for energy is crucial, McDonald says. “It is to everyone’s benefit that the energy industry, the core customers, policymakers and business leadership in general must come together to address this issue,” he says. “During significant shifts in the economy and technology, energy consumption usually increases. In this case, the AI race is being driven by the largest increase in consumption since air conditioning was invented. Our energy economy and our economic future have never been so interdependent.”

In July 2025, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a request made by AEP Ohio to protect other customers from bearing the financial brunt of grid improvements required to meet data centers’ energy demands. It requires large data center customers to pay for at least 85 percent of the energy they are subscribed to use—even if actual usage is less—to fund the necessary infrastructure to serve those facilities. The plan creates a sliding fee scale for small and midsize data centers.

The tech boom has extended to many parts of the local economy. For example, construction companies

have been heavily involved from the very beginning.

Turner Construction Co. was one of the first to have benefitted greatly from the demand for building new data centers, says Matt Kunz, vice president and general manager for Turner’s Columbus business unit.

“We caught lightning in a bottle,” Kunz says. “What we learn is we build one project and the next project can be so dramatically different—it might use less water, use energy differently. They vary. It’s really cool to see the evolution from day one to today.

“Is there a strain? Absolutely. But we’ve been able to grow over the last five years, from 150 to 450 professional staff. We hear about a slowdown, but we haven’t seen it.”

Turner is one of many businesses to have grown and prospered from the tech boom, McDonald says.

“The investments being made by the large tech companies, including Anduril’s Arsenal-1 project, greatly benefit local businesses,” he says. “Some benefit directly, but most benefit indirectly through the growth of our housing, commercial and service sectors as new money flows into our communities and more discretionary spending occurs from these great jobs.”

“We’re going to keep seeing this,” Kunz says. “We’re not going to see this level of growth always, but our local entities continue to grow because we’ve got a formula that’s really hard to replicate.”

The boom, then, isn’t over—it’s barely even peaked.

“The Columbus Region controls its own destiny,” McDonald says. “It has the opportunity to begin the next decade in a better position than nearly any metro in the country. If we remain simultaneously bold and practical, we will simply outrun other locations that are mired in politics and indecision.

“We can grow up, out and from within physically, and we have the infrastructure and talent to meet the needs of any project in the world.

“It is truly the beginning of the beginning of Columbus’ growth story.”

Tim Feran is a freelance writer.

buildwithmarker.com

BUILD WITH MARKER

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Research Thrives in Innovation Corridor

This campus-area district, formed by Ohio State University, Columbus and JobsOhio, is drawing organizations focused on life sciences, battery technology and more.

By Peter Tonguette

★For Pelotonia CEO Joe Apgar, moving his organization from its home in Franklinton to Ohio State University’s innovation district in 2024 has been a bit like going back to school. “I sort of liken it … to a really active

student union,” says Apgar. “When you’re a college student, you kind of just head to the student union because you know other people are going to be there.”

Pelotonia, whose signature bike ride and other events raise funds for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James

Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, is just one of the latest occupants to benefit from the buzz happening in the district.

Launched in 2019, the innovation district is situated at the southwest corner of Kenny Road and Lane Avenue. Fanning out over more than 350 acres, the area has become a

The Energy Advancement and Innovation Center at the Ohio State University innovation district

Photo courtesy Ohio State University/Max Gamble

landing spot for trailblazers in health care, life sciences, energy and other fields. Ohio State owns most of the properties; several are owned by the Science and Technology Campus Corp. (SciTech), a university affiliate.

Here, an advanced outpatient cancer center for the James coexists with a battery cell research lab and a gene therapy manufacturer. As Apgar describes it, Pelotonia thrives on its close proximity to its innovative neighbors—including its namesake Pelotonia Research Center. “When you put a ton of really smart, motivated, ambitious people together in an area, great things can happen,” he says. “You feel that energy when you walk around the district. … I don’t think we know yet the possibilities that are going to result from building this district out.”

An Innovative Tenant Mix

“Building” is the operative word these days in the district, formed as a collaborative venture of Ohio State University, the city of Columbus and JobsOhio under the name Carmenton.

“We are well on our way,” says Amanda Hoffsis, vice president of planning, architecture and real estate at Ohio State and the president of SciTech. “To date, there has been about $1 billion in investment in the innovation district just since we have decided to really go full steam ahead.”

Pelotonia is among the organizations that occupy the 64,000-square-foot Energy Advancement and Innovation Center. “It’s the prominent glassy building right on the corner of Lane and Kenny that has a solar array on top,” Hoffsis says.

Its new space in the EAIC allows Pelotonia’s staff of 20 to cross paths with researchers who are the beneficiaries of the organization’s fundraising efforts. “You’re funding and putting your support behind brilliant people, and so to see those people on a daily basis that are struggling with the problems they’re struggling with in their lab, humanizes them in a way that I think really is positive,” Apgar says.

Because Pelotonia is not currently using all of its square footage, the nonprofit repurposed a portion into a meeting and event space that can be used by researchers. “We have hosted probably 2,000 people this year in that space,” Apgar says.

Ohio Life Sciences, an industry trade association, is also housed at the EAIC. “We feel really, really optimistic and confident about putting an organization that brings a ton of energy and is a catalyst for life sciences [and] health care right

next to the state’s flagship university innovation center,” says Tyler Allchin, managing director of health care at JobsOhio.

Gene therapy developer and manufacturer Andelyn Biosciences is another key tenant. “At a time when rare disease and gene therapy continues to find its way and bring cures to market, we’re particularly proud about Andelyn Biosciences being a pillar,” Allchin says. “We’ve been able to have a ton of industry conversations in the biotech space because of

their presence on campus.”

In late August, a 22,000-squarefoot Battery Cell R&D Center will begin operations in an existing SciTech building on Kinnear Road. A joint undertaking of Schaeffler Americas, Honda and Ohio State University, the lab will develop and prepare for eventual manufacturing of next-generation car batteries. “What Schaeffler is focusing on is [a] next-generation battery—they call it all-solid-state battery,” says Rashid

Farahati, the company’s vice president of engineering. “This battery center is going to be one-of-a-kind. … Anybody can come and do research and development for next-generation battery [technology]. That’s unique for this battery center.”

The lab will not only lead to the development of new technology but also train workers to become adept in handling it. “This training is going to be hands-on,” Farahati says. “Literally, they start making batteries.”

“This battery center is going to be one-of-akind. … Anybody can come and do research and development.”

RASHID FARAHATI, vice president of engineering for Schaeffler Americas

Growth Drivers

Several factors have contributed to the influx of companies wanting to become part of the innovation district. Ohio State’s reputation for research excellence is a key driver, Hoffsis says. “The prominence of our researchers has been growing,” she says. “Ohio State has been for a while now one of the top universities that does corporate-sponsored research.”

Amid ongoing uncertainty about the availability of federal research funding, projects in which the university partners with the private sector will become all the more critical. “We think this is the time,” she says.

Companies’ need to replenish the talent pipeline is also fueling growth, Allchin says. “Clearly, the Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, our other partner in the innovation district, are huge producers and trainers of talent,” he says. “Companies that are thriving are not just paying lip service to their chase for talent and their investment in talent. They’re moving with their feet, and they’re driving more value from being very close to these institutions.”

Such rapid growth would not be possible without investments made in the infrastructure of the district, one of three that JobsOhio has established in the state. “Our innovation districts have tremendous access to stable utilities, land where companies are able to build quickly, our one-stop-shop of economic development,” Allchin says.

Going forward, one priority is to make the Columbus district more livable through the addition of mixed-use development. “We [want to] create a place where collisions

The Pelotonia Research Center at the Ohio State University innovation district

Photo courtesy Ohio State University/Max Gamble

BSN DEGREE OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY

The James Outpatient Care includes operating rooms, physician offices and a proton therapy treatment center.

are happening … between our faculty, staff and graduate students, and even undergrads who are working in the research portfolio, with folks who are actively doing research,” Hoffsis says. New York-based real estate developer Tishman Speyer, which helped create the Carmenton master plan, is working on a new phase that will add residential, retail and corporate anchors in an area between Lane Avenue, Innovation Way, Carmenton Avenue and Carmack Road. The initial 7-acre site could grow up to 50 acres over the next 10 to 20 years, Hoffsis says. “We’re really working hard to create an atmosphere and an environment that really creates those collisions,” she says.

Ripple Effects

The district’s success is poised to produce regionwide benefits far beyond its still-growing campus, evidence of which can already be felt throughout Central Ohio, Hoffsis says. “It’s Google and Amazon and … OpenAI, who are our AI partners,” she says. “We’re able to do big things here at Ohio State. We’re able to be very diverse, because we have a very diverse research portfolio—so we’re able to really drive

“To date, there has been about $1 billion in investment in the innovation district.”

AMANDA HOFFSIS, vice president of planning, architecture and real estate at Ohio State University

towards those new economies that are being created.”

Allchin says the Ohio State innovation district has unique advantages, as do the ones JobsOhio created in Cleveland and Cincinnati. “There’s power in the size and density of the institutions in the regions that we’ve gone to market in to date,” he says, pointing to the ripple effect on surrounding areas. “We also know that when we win R&D projects,

At Ohio State, we’re collaborating with businesses to: Together, we’re investing in the future of Ohio.

• Create a pipeline of highly educated and skilled talent.

• Solve challenges, develop new products and improve operations.

• Upskill existing workforce to stay competitive.

Photos courtesy Ohio State University/Max Gamble

We’ll help you see beyond the

bottom line.

Running a business takes more than access to the right tools – it takes knowledge, perseverance, and, sometimes, a helping hand. First Merchants’ attentive bankers have years of expertise and adaptive financial advice to help your business prosper – from concept to legacy. For more information, call 1.800.205.3464 or go to firstmerchants.com.

A waiting room at The James Outpatient Care

when we win innovative investment in our innovation districts, it spurs manufacturing, it spurs distribution, it spurs other derivatives and innovation and R&D throughout the state,” he says.

One thing is certain, though: If it is fulfilling its purpose, the innovation district—and the companies and industries represented there—will continue to change. “I think we would be fools to assume we know what the portfolio is going to be for the foreseeable future,” says Hoffsis, adding that leaders are trying to “future-proof” the area, including development of a Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Center to cater to startups, companies working in life

A patient room at The James Outpatient Care

sciences and clinical trials, and new tech innovators.

For example, life sciences remain critical, but even within that field, the proportion of lab space versus office and computational space is expected to shift. “We’re seeing more and more AI, even in the life science categories,” Hoffsis says. “AI and computational research [are] a major component in those areas, as well.”

Count Pelotonia’s Apgar among those who are excited about the future possibilities. “I think [the innovation district] is going to be bigger and better than people can imagine right now,” he says.

Peter Tonguette is a freelance writer.

Photos courtesy Ohio State University/Max Gamble

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

Nationally Ranked

Central Ohio has 18 local companies on the 2025 Fortune 1000.

By Laura Newpoff

★A spirit of collaboration. A culture of innovation. A future-ready workforce. Robust infrastructure. A stable regulatory climate. Those are some of the ingredients that have made the Columbus Region one of the most attractive business hubs in the nation.

This year, the Region is celebrating a new milestone: A record 18 local companies made the 2025 Fortune 1000 and a fifth, Vertiv Holdings Co., moved into the Fortune 500.

Westerville-based Vertiv, formerly known as Liebert Corp., has been on a growth spurt for more than 20 years, including key acquisitions that have allowed it to become a leader in data center and IT equipment, software and support.

Vertiv, according to economic development and civic leaders, ex-

emplifies the Region’s industrial and technological expertise and furthers its reputation as an attractive place to grow a business.

“Columbus succeeds because we pull in the same direction,” says Mayor Andrew Ginther. “City Hall, business, labor, and our colleges and universities sit at the same table, solve problems fast and keep our eye on inclusive growth. That collaboration, what we call the Columbus Way, gives companies the certainty to invest here and residents the opportunity to thrive.”

Vertiv joins these area businesses on the Fortune 500:

• Cardinal Health Inc. is one of the largest health care businesses in the world. The Dublin company manufactures and distributes pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical products and provides services to customers in more than 30 countries.

• Nationwide is one of the country’s largest insurance and financial services companies. It offers auto, home, life and business insurance, as well as financial services such as retirement and investment planning.

• American Electric Power Company Inc. generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than 5.6 million customers in 11 states.

• Huntington Bancshares Inc. is a top 25 U.S. bank holding company. It boasts $210 billion in assets and serves 13 states.

A Proven Track Record

According to research from economic development organization

One Columbus, the Region is No. 3 in the nation per capita as a home for Fortune 1000 companies.

“The Columbus Region offers our business an ideal location to

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

reach our customers quickly with a logistics network that enables us to deliver the products and solutions that improve the lives of people every day,” says Cardinal Health CEO Jason Hollar. “As the largest employer in the state of Ohio, we’ve continued to grow our footprint in the Region because it has been a good place to do business.”

In addition to a robust slate of locally based companies, some of the largest corporations in the world, including Amazon, JPMorganChase and Meta Platforms Inc., have major operations here.

These companies represent a durable, diversified economy built to support complex, global enterprises, according to One Columbus. They are thriving because of a regional economic framework that is reinforced by universities, research institutions, logistics assets and civic alignment. The interplay between sectors allows companies to grow with confidence and consistency, supported by a deep well of local, regional and state partnerships.

With a proven mix of corporate strength, civic stability and regional infrastructure, the Columbus Region continues to set the standard for what a Fortune 1000 headquarters city should be.

Laura Newpoff is a freelance writer.

Columbus Region Fortune 1000

Rank Name

15 Cardinal Health

72 Nationwide

218 American Electric Power Co.

351 Huntington Bancshares

471 Vertiv Holdings

506 Bath & Body Works

564 Victoria’s Secret & Co.

576 Agilon Health

617 Greif

676 Abercrombie & Fitch

687 Bread Financial Holdings

714 M/I Homes

792 Mettler-Toledo International

841 ScottsMiracle-Gro

855 Worthington Steel

910 Designer Brands

929 Installed Building Products

944 Advanced Drainage Systems

Source: Fortune, One Columbus

We are a powerhouse when it comes to business.

Our economic development team spans 25 not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperatives in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. We proudly serve and advise members, ranging from Fortune 500 industrial manufacturing plants to family-owned businesses, in how to grow, prosper, and be competitive in Ohio.

Contact Dennis Mingyar, director of economic development, at 614.430.7876 or dmingyar@ohioec.org for assistance and to receive our newsletter.

ohioec.org

EVOLVING THE FUTURE ECONOMY

The Columbus Region at a Glance

The area’s 11 counties offer unique assets and amenities for businesses and residents.

★The Columbus Region is a vibrant metropolitan area with a growing population of 2.3 million people. Its business community is likewise experiencing significant growth and change as it evolves to meet industry needs. The 11-county Region is home to a diverse array of sectors, including automotive, biotechnology, financial services, health care, insurance, life sciences, retail, restaurants and more. Higher education has a significant presence through numerous colleges and universities, ranging from community colleges and liberal arts schools to the R1 research power of Ohio State University. From Fortune 1000 corporations to family-owned shops, all types of enterprise can thrive here. Innovation and a communitywide spirit of cooperation set the Columbus Region apart, creating and nurturing an environment where businesses and residents can prosper.

Data sources: population from 2024 Census estimates; population projections from MidOhio Regional Planning Commission; age, households and income from Esri 2024

Bridge Park in Dublin

Photo courtesy Robb McCormick Photography

DELAWARE

Population

237,966

Median age

40.2

Median household income

$125,523

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 60.6%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 80.17%

DELAWARE COUNTY boasts thriving business and residential communities and a focus on education. Well over half of the county’s residents have a bachelor’s degree, and there are three institutions of higher education: Columbus State Community College (Delaware Campus), Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Ohio Wesleyan University. Though it is situated just 25 miles north of Downtown Columbus, the county has 140 miles of shoreline along its rivers, lakes and reservoirs—the most in the state.

The City of Powell

Photos courtesy One Columbus

Population 167,762

Median age 40

Median household income $87,831

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 33.8%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 33.41%

FAIRFIELD COUNTY offers a variety of amenities for both businesses and residents. It ranks as the fourth-fastest-growing county in Ohio over the past decade and is home to more than 3,000 companies. The county offers a blend of metropolitan and rural communities. 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.

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch

Lancaster City Hall

FRANKLIN

Population 1,356,303

Median age 34.9

Median household income

$73,868

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 45.1%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 26.07%

OHIO’S CAPITAL CITY, Columbus, is located in Franklin County, creating a strong political center and a robust economic environment. The county boasts thriving businesses, highly ranked educational institutions and strong public-private sector alliances. Capitalizing on its reputation as a growing tech hub, Franklin County attracts emerging industries, renowned researchers, entrepreneurs, young talent and forward-thinking leaders.

A Legacy of Caring

We serve our community’s most vulnerable residents.

For 66 years, Heinzerling Community has provided a loving home for individuals with profound developmental disabilities in Columbus, Ohio. We care for up to 202 children and adults, offering nursing, therapy, developmental skills, community inclusion activities, and dietary support. As one of the region’s largest nonprofit providers, we employ 475 dedicated professionals who support families with loved ones whose needs exceed at-home care. We also serve as a training hub for future healthcare professionals through partnerships with local hospitals, nursing schools, and The Ohio State University, offering onsite in-services and hands-on experience in disability care.

To find out more, or to support our mission visit us at www.heinzerling.org I 614.272.8888

Photo courtesy Aerial Image Solutions

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus

KNOX COUNTY offers a rural lifestyle and some of the most beautiful landscape views in Ohio, but is deeply connected to the Columbus metropolitan area. The county seat, Mount Vernon, is the largest city and 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.

Population

63,848

Median age 39.6

Median household income $70,995

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 26.1%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 10.96%

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Photo courtesy One Columbus

Photo by Doral Chenoweth/The

HOME TO THRIVING communities such as Bellefontaine, Indian Lake and West Liberty, Logan County is 60 minutes from Downtown Columbus. Industry is expanding and businesses continue to invest in the local economy; nearly 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.

STOP. FAIL. OUCH.

Downtime is a four letter word.

Using the wrong mobility solution disrupts everything, from production schedules to tempers. But with Caster Connection, you get casters and wheels engineered to prevent failures before they start.

Population

46,085

Median age 43.1

Median household income

$70,350

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 20%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 3.42%

Let’s replace your four letter word with “done.” Contact our Caster Nerds today.

Columbus Dispatch

The Honda Transmission manufacturing plant in Russells Point

Population 45,531

Median age 41.4

Median household income $84,134

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 22.6%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 30.86%

MADISON COUNTY offers a rich combination of agricultural heritage, a growing business sector and a strong sense of community. With 88 percent of its land operated as farms, 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 strong local school districts.

MARION COUNTY is an evolving community that prides itself on innovation and workforce development. With a collaborative business environment and numerous educational offerings, the county allows 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 64,976

Median age 41.6

Median household income $56,660

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 15%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 -1.36%

Photos courtesy One Columbus

The Marion Industrial Center

Photo courtesy One Columbus

An aerial view of Plain City

The Madison County Courthouse in London

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 17.9%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 20.59%

MORROW COUNTY is strengthening its employment and economic base with a mix of local companies 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.

Photo courtesy One Columbus

The Morrow County Courthouse in Mount Gilead

Population 62,158

Median age 40.6

Median household income $74,127

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 21.7%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 34.62%

PICKAWAY COUNTY is projected to grow its population of 62,000-plus people by more than a third in the next 25 years. The area has rural charm but also offers the conveniences that come from being in the Columbus metropolitan area. Pickaway County has well-developed transportation and utility infrastructure systems that can accommodate a variety of industrial and business needs.

UNION COUNTY is the second-fastest-growing county in Ohio, and local leaders place a strong emphasis on economic diversification and vitality. The county offers many business advantages, including a diverse and highly skilled workforce, a growing population, and low costs of living and doing business. Workers and residents also enjoy direct access to surrounding metropolitan areas.

Population 71,721

Median age 38.5

Median household income $102,950

Percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher 42.3%

Projected population growth 2021-2050 48.84%

The Circleville Pumpkin Show

Photo by Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch

Photo courtesy One Columbus