Strategy for Economic Growth

Columbus's economy has a far higher-than-average concentration in white-collar employment. Approximately 60 percent of the Columbus region's workers are in white-collar occupations, compared to 51 percent nationwide. The Columbus region is dedicated to building high-growth industries by executing strategies developed through Battelle's long-term strategies.

Transportation/Logistics
Transportation is a core component of the region's economic development strategy. This is especially true with Columbus- due to both the area's central location and to a well-developed and growing transportation infrastructure. Other key sectors that contribute to the area’s economic growth are business and professional services and financial services.

Government
Columbus is the state capital and home to the main campus of the Ohio State University. As a result, the city has nearly 40 percent of Ohio's total state jobs. However, this is largely offset by lower-than-average concentrations of jobs at the federal or local levels. Thus, government as a whole is not an overly dominant component of the local economy.

Advanced Manufacturing
Although the concentration of manufacturing employment is nearly 20 percent below the national average, several major manufacturers are vital parts of the Columbus region economic development strategy. The largest of these is Honda of America Manufacturing, which also works with dozens of independent supplier companies in the Columbus region.

Technology and Research
Technology is also an important focus. These jobs are distributed throughout the above sectors, especially business services, financial activities, information and government. The Columbus region had 30,500 workers in information technology occupations in May 2006, an employment concentration 39 percent greater than the national average. The Columbus region is also a hotbed of entrepreneurial growth and technology advances: both key factors in promoting economic development. Anchored by Battelle, The Ohio State University and four nationally recognized hospital systems, our technology corridor supports advances in research and life sciences every day.

Future Economic Development and Growth
The Columbus region has identified four industries that will contribute greatly to our future economic growth and development. These industries are a key focus for our region – in addition to many other strong assets. Work is underway to develop long-term strategies that will grow our strength in logistics, automotive, personalized healthcare and tourism, arts and entertainment.