December 2024
Columbus, Ohio is experiencing a significant period of growth, with major investments, groundbreaking developments, and an expanding population, gaining national recognition as an economic powerhouse.
Cologix plans $7B data center expansion in Central Ohio.
What This Means For You: Denver-based Cologix is making a $7 billion investment to develop a cutting-edge, AI-ready data center campus in Johnstown (25 miles NE of Columbus). Spanning 154 acres, the project will feature eight facilities totaling 2 million square feet. The first phase of development is set to begin in 2025.
Amazon picks Sunbury as site for $2 billion data center investment
What This Means For You: Amazon has selected Sunbury (25 miles N of Columbus) as the site for its $2 billion data center, part of the company’s broader $7.8 billion commitment to Central Ohio. The first building is expected to become operational by 2034, with 50 permanent jobs created as part of the initiative.
Microsoft to build 3 data centers in Licking County as part of $1 billion investment
What This Means For You: Microsoft is building three data centers in Licking County (40 miles NE of Columbus), a project with the potential to create hundreds of permanent jobs if the campuses reach full capacity. Additionally, construction will generate approximately 400 jobs annually during the build-out phase.
Plans unveiled for $573M “Capitol Square Renaissance Project” in Downtown Columbus
What This Means For You: Edwards Cos. has unveiled a $573 million plan to revitalize downtown Columbus with the Capitol Square Renaissance Project. The development includes five buildings featuring over 1,000 new apartments, nine restaurants, and nearly 200,000 square feet of office space, complemented by parks and retail.
Forsee Power opens new battery plant in Hilliard
What This Means For You: French battery manufacturer Forsee Power has opened its first U.S. facility in Hilliard (13 miles NE of Columbus), which also serves as its North American headquarters. The plant is expected to generate 150 new jobs in the region.
Ohio named the 6th best state to start a small business
What This Means For You: In its research, Lendio, which specializes in small business loans, looked at 10 metrics that are critical to the success of small business owners in 2024, including small business lending, cost of living, real estate data, educated worker migration, corporate tax rates, and state-level incentives for business owners, among others.
Central Ohio’s population is expected to reach 3 million by 2050
What This Means For You: Central Ohio’s population is on track to reach 3 million by 2050, earning Columbus the nickname “Boomtown.” New industries continue to move into the region, adding to the growth and economic activity.
