Columbus, OH – The latest Columbus Region economic data is now available from Columbus 2020 in new interactive economic dashboards.
The data is updated on a monthly basis and includes Columbus 2020 pipeline information and project activity, plus Columbus Region, Ohio and U.S. employment and labor force statistics.
“The digital dashboards are a brand new, go-to source of data that reflects Columbus 2020 and Columbus Region performance,” said Jung Kim, director, research, Columbus 2020. “A variety of information is available and filters can be applied to look at specific data sets or timeframes. It’s a great way to get a current and accurate look at metrics that are important to the regional economy.”
Updated through June 2015, the data shows 154 projects in the Columbus Region’s project pipeline, with 26 added in June, representing a nearly 20 percent increase since the start of the year. Of all active projects, 42 percent are manufacturing, followed by 32 percent in headquarters and business services.
Thirty percent of active projects represent expansions of existing companies, while 70 percent are attraction projects. Active attraction projects are split between domestic and international companies (52 percent domestic, 48 percent international), with nearly half of attraction projects in the manufacturing sector.
From January to June 2015, the Columbus Region closed 55 projects that represent over 1,700 new jobs and nearly $1.4 billion in capital investment. These projects include recent expansion announcements from Union Tank Car Company and PCCW Teleservices, as well as attraction projects resulting in new facilities, such as plans by Brazilian IT solutions company nddPrint to establish its North American headquarters in the Columbus Region.
The Columbus Region unemployment rate remains below the national average, at 4 percent as of May 2015. This rate is more than a full percentage point lower than the federal unemployment rate of 5.5 percent and the Ohio unemployment rate of 5.2 percent.
“The Columbus Region’s economy is stronger, more diverse, and best of all, more dynamic than it has been in decades – perhaps more dynamic than ever,” said Kenny McDonald, chief economic officer, Columbus 2020. “There is important work to do so that this level of activity can be sustained.”
About Columbus 2020
In 2010, hundreds of community and business leaders from across Central Ohio came together in an unprecedented way to develop the Columbus 2020 Regional Growth Strategy, an aggressive, decade-long plan to ensure economic vitality in the Columbus Region. The Columbus 2020 team conducts business outreach, promotes the Columbus Region to market-leading companies around the world, conducts customized research to better understand the Columbus Region’s competitiveness, and works to leverage public, private and institutional partnerships. Funding is received from more than 300 private companies, local governments, academic institutions and JobsOhio. Learn more at ColumbusRegion.com.
Media Contact
Amy Harman
ah@columbusregion.com
614-225-6941