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Columbus, OH 43215
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Columbus Continues Fighting for Jobs

Columbus Continues Fighting for Jobs

Council Supports 1,026 New Full-Time Jobs and $88.4 Million in New Private Investment

[COLUMBUS, OH] Columbus continues to compete aggressively with the nation’s top regions for economic development, job creation and new private construction. City Council tonight voted to advance 18 ordinances projected to directly bring $59,876,224 million in net new payroll, 1,026 new full-time jobs and $88.4 million in private capital investment. Ordinances supporting Economic Development Agreements could increase the total invested to more than $581 million in private investment in coming years for commercial and industrial space, jobs and new housing.

"We are working to bring long-term investment in the people and infrastructure of Columbus," said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, chair of the Economic Committee. "People want jobs that pay a living wage. People also want to know these jobs will be there for years to come."

Under Council's new incentive policy, each of the net new jobs created must have a minimum base salary of $15 an hour to qualify.

"I am bullish on the future of Columbus," said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. "Our economic development team has worked tirelessly and strategically to bring in new and expand existing businesses to the City. The projects before City Council tonight lay the groundwork for prosperity for our residents for years to come."

The legislative package passed by Council includes ordinance 1839-2019 for Williams Lea Inc., projected to create 550 new full-time jobs with a capital investment of $6 million, and ordinance 1938-2019 for a new downtown office for Chipotle, which is expected to bring 274 new full-time jobs, retain 90 and invest $3.7 million with the relocation of its corporate back-office functions from New York and Denver to Columbus.

Economic Development Agreements include:

  • Arena District EDA: $210 million in private investment
  • North Market Mixed-Use EDA: $192 million in private investment
  • Gravity 2 EDA: $120 million in private investment

"These are the hard numbers that detail how we are fighting for jobs and mix-used developments within the City," Remy continued. "By replacing surface parking lots and blighted sites with retail, commercial and housing options, we are driving positive impacts in Columbus for decades to come. Tonight, we set the stage to endorse transformative development projects that put Columbus residents to work, and offers vibrant places to live and raise a family."

Since January 1, 2019, the City of Columbus Department of Development has negotiated projects driving:

  • More than $1.15 billion in new private investment;
  • 3.9 million square feet of renovated or newly built space filled;
  • 4,433 newly created jobs;
  • 3,646 jobs retained; and more than
  • $6.9 million in new, annual income tax revenue to the City.

“The future of Columbus is a bit brighter tonight,” said Councilmember Remy.

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