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 region’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 additional 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.

Build Your Business in Ohio

These links from the Ohio Business Development Coalition highlight the advantages of starting and growing a business in Ohio.

Why you should start your business in Ohio
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or current business owner, Ohio provides the perfect location to build a profitable business. Ohio has led the nation in new and expanded businesses for the past three years and continues to be committed to supporting business development and growth.

Favorable tax reform in Ohio
Making a commitment to eliminate a burdensome tax system, Ohio in 2005 implemented full-scale, sweeping tax reform. Ohio's new business taxation model will mean a reduction in tax burden of up to 63 percent by 2010, the first year reform is fully implemented.

Ohio's economic development incentives
Ohio boasts an impressive variety of incentive offerings to align with an expanding company’s financial needs. State and local tax incentives, grants and low-interest financing offer businesses the opportunity to reduce risk while encouraging investment in Ohio.

Benefits of doing business in Ohio
In Ohio, c-level executives achieve their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. Hear the business and personal perspectives of CEOs who live and work in Ohio.

Living in Ohio and the benefits of work / life balance
Ohio offers businesses an environment that makes it easy to foster work-life balance. The convenience of travel, with short commutes from work to home, lower stress and give more time to priority family activities.