Press Releases

New Bridge

Columbus Receives Federal Grant to Support Migrants and Refugees 
The City of Columbus has been awarded new federal resources to aid some of the city’s newest and most vulnerable neighbors.


City of Columbus Provides Notification and Extends Credit Monitoring to All Residents and Impacted Individuals
Taking action to protect the community from the recent cyber attack on the city’s IT infrastructure, the City of Columbus today announced it will offer free Experian credit monitoring to all residents and impacted individuals.


Mayor Ginther Names Craig Conley Deputy Chief of Staff
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced that Craig Conley will join his senior leadership team as deputy chief of staff.


City of Columbus Offers Credit Monitoring for All Employees
Working with federal authorities and cybersecurity experts, the City of Columbus continues its investigation and response to a July cybersecurity incident. As a precautionary action, the city is offering Experian credit monitoring for all City of Columbus, Franklin County Municipal Court Judges and Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk employees currently receiving paychecks from the city.


Columbus Thwarted Ransomware Encryption of its IT Infrastructure
The City of Columbus’ continuing investigation of a July cybersecurity incident has found that a foreign cyber threat actor attempted to disrupt the city’s IT infrastructure, in a possible effort to deploy ransomware and solicit a ransom payment from the city.

Fortunately, the city’s Department of Technology quickly identified the threat and took action to significantly limit potential exposure, which included severing internet connectivity. While the threat actor’s activity was disrupted, an investigation is ongoing to determine the amount of city data potentially accessed.


City of Columbus Addressing Cybersecurity Incident
The City of Columbus is working diligently to restore its systems following a cybersecurity incident. The city’s Department of Technology identified an abnormality unrelated to the global IT outage while monitoring its systems on Thursday, July 18. The Department took swift action to significantly limit potential exposure, which included severing internet connectivity.


Mayor Ginther Sends 2024 Capital Budget to Columbus City Council
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today presented his proposed 2024 Capital Budget, which includes $1.99 billion for crime-fighting tools, technologies and facilities; projects to expand the city’s affordable housing stock; new and renovated fire stations; new and improved parks, pools and community centers; resurfaced roadways; city utilities and more.


2024 State of the City Address
Mayor Ginther outlines his priorities for 2024.


Mayor Ginther Names Kelly Scocco Director of Public Service
Kelly Scocco will serve as the Director of the Department of Public Service.


City Announces Nearly $21 Million in Summer Programming for Columbus Youth
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Council President Shannon G. Hardin announced $20.8 million in city funding for summer programming for Columbus youth. 


Columbus Introduces Zoning Code Proposal Capable of Creating 88,000 Housing Units
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther introduced to Columbus City Council a groundbreaking proposal to modernize Columbus’ 70-year-old zoning code to address the city and region’s housing, mobility and affordability challenges while fostering quality development and sustainable growth.


Mayor Ginther Announces Changes to His Cabinet and Staff
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced a number of changes to his cabinet and staff in the coming weeks.


Danius Williams Joins Mayor’s Office As Deputy Chief of Staff
Danius Williams will be joining the Mayor’s Office as Deputy Chief of Staff of Administrative Affairs.


Columbus Receives Cultural Diversity Award From National League of Cities Columbus
The City of Columbus has been named the winner of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 City Cultural Diversity Awards, which celebrates leadership in developing effective programs to improve cultural diversity within local communities.


Columbus Selected For Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther today announced that the City of Columbus has been selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities


City Announces Historic Investment to Combat Homelessness
As the City continues to work with partners to address a growing housing and homelessness crisis, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and City Council President Shannon G. Hardin today announced a historic investment of $9.4 million investment in the Community Shelter Board (CSB), nearly tripling the City’s yearly funding in combatting the homelessness crisis.


City Now Accepting Applications for Summer Youth Program Funding
Beginning today, 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that deliver summer programming to youth ages 5-18 who reside in the City of Columbus may apply to receive funding support from the city. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 20, at 5 p.m.


Mayor Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther Announce New Columbus Women’s Commission Members
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther today announced seven new commissioners on the Columbus Women’s Commission.


Mayor Ginther Names Elon Simms Next Chief of Staff
Mayor Ginther today announced Elon Simms will serve as his next chief of staff. Simms will succeed Ken Paul who, earlier this month, was named executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. The transition will occur in early 2024.


City Allocates $15 Million to Expand Access to Digital Resources
Mayor Ginther and Franklin County Commissioner John O’Grady announced a joint commitment of $20.2 million to Smart Columbus on behalf of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition.


City Leaders Announce $335 Million in Medical Debt Relief
Council President Shannon Hardin and President Pro Tem Rob Dorans were joined by Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Central Ohio Hospital Council to announce a uniquely Columbus solution to forgive $335 million in medical debt for Columbus residents.


Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, Division of Police to Host Gun Buyback Drive-Thru Event
The Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police, will host a gun buyback drive-thru event on Saturday, September 30.


Columbus is Helping Neighborhoods to Beat the Heat
Temperatures are forecasted to be in the 90s starting today through Friday.


Columbus Launches Three Food Waste Drop-Off Facilities for Residents
Columbus residents now may use three new drop-off locations that collect food waste for composting, Mayor Ginther and the Department of Public Service announced at a ribbon-cutting today. The facilities aim to help decrease the nearly 1 million pounds of food waste dumped at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill every day.


City Leaders Announce $2M to Help Columbus State Students Stay Stably Housed while Pursuing Education
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin and other community leaders today announced $2 million in funding for the Success Bridge program at Columbus State Community College.


Columbus is Helping Neighborhoods to Beat the Heat
With temperatures forecasted to be in the 90s starting today through Saturday, the City of Columbus is taking steps to help residents stay cool.


Columbus Public Safety Awarded $1 Million for Recruitment
The City of Columbus Department of Public Safety has been awarded a $1 million grant from the State of Ohio for a recruiting and marketing program to attract first responders. The grant is part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience program.


Introducing a New Columbus.gov
On Monday, July 17, the City of Columbus launched a new, fresh and innovative design on its website, Columbus.gov. This new website features a modern look and feel, improved mobile compatibility and enhanced search functionality. In addition, the website has been better organized so that users can access the services and information they need more quickly.


First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Visits Columbus to Discuss Workforce Hub
First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden visited Columbus today to launch the Workforce Hub initiative, ensuring students and workers have access to good-paying jobs created by President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda.


Mayor Ginther Appoints Stephen Sayre to Deputy Chief of Staff
Mayor Ginther announced that Stephen Sayre will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s office, handling policy and governmental relations.


Mayor Ginther Appoints Danielle Tong to Lead CelebrateOne
Mayor Ginther announced that Danielle Tong has been appointed to run CelebrateOne, the city’s initiative to reduce infant mortality.


Mayor Ginther Sends 2023 Capital Budget to Columbus City Council
Mayor Ginther has proposed a $1.74 billion investment in public safety and critical neighborhood infrastructure. 


City Leaders Outline Summer Safety Initiatives
Mayor Ginther was joined by city leaders to announce the city's summer safety strategy.


City of Columbus to Begin Weekly Residential Recycling Collection on June 12
The City of Columbus is expanding curbside collection of residential recycling containers to weekly service beginning the week of June 12.


City Announces More Than $20 Million in Summer Programming for Columbus Youth
Mayor Ginther announced $20.1 million in city funding for summer programming for Columbus youth.


City Begins Construction of Two Solar Projects in Support of Division of Power Customers, Columbus Climate Action Plan
The City of Columbus broke ground today on the Parsons Avenue solar project.


Mayor Ginther Appoints Kate McSweeney-Pishotti Director of Public Safety
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced that Kate McSweeney-Pishotti has been appointed the Columbus Director of Public Safety. 


Clean Energy Columbus Releases Rate
The City’s Clean Energy Columbus aggregation program is headed into its third year.


City of Columbus to Accept Applications for Summer Youth Program Funding
The City of Columbus is utilizing a combination of dollars provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act as well as the city’s General Operating Fund to expand quality summer programming for youth residing within the city’s geographical boundaries.


City Leaders Announce Lien Forgiveness Legislation
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Councilmember Shayla D. Favor announced new legislation that would forgive home-repair loans previously awarded to hundreds of low-income Columbus homeowners.


2023 State of the City Address
Mayor Ginther's 2023 State of the City Address


Mayor Ginther Appoints Rena Shak to Lead the Office of Violence Prevention
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has appointed Rena Shak to lead the newly created Office of Violence Prevention.


Department of Neighborhoods New American Leadership Academy (NALA) Kicks Off Class of 2023
The City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods welcomes 21 diverse leaders from 15 different countries in its 2023 New American Leadership Academy (NALA) cohort.


Mayor Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther Announce New Columbus Women’s Commission Members
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and First Lady Shannon Ginther today named three new commissioners to the Columbus Women’s Commission.


Mayor Ginther Appoints Jason Jenkins Executive Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Mayor Ginther has appointed Jason Jenkins to serve as the city’s Chief Diversity Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.


Comprehensive Safety Strategy Reduces Violence, Improves Neighborhood Safety in 2022
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther joined leadership from the city’s public safety forces to share 2022 crime data.


Latitude Five25 Fully Vacated
All residents have been vacated from Latitude Five25, often referred to as Sawyer Towers, and offered interim accommodations following an emergency notice by Columbus Code Enforcement.