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Columbus, Ohio – The Columbus Region has been named a top 10 metropolitan area per capita for economic development by Site Selection magazine for the 14th consecutive year. The Region moved up to No. 7 in the Tier 1 category for 2025, climbing from No. 8 last year and remaining among the most competitive large metros in the United States.
The annual ranking measures corporate project activity across metropolitan areas with populations exceeding one million, known as Tier 1 metros. Fourteen straight years in the top 10 reflects sustained strength in attracting projects, capital and talent.
This recognition builds on the Region’s recent No. 1 placement in Site Selection’s Global Groundwork Index, which evaluates the combined strength of corporate investment and infrastructure development. Together, these honors reinforce the Columbus Region’s national standing and global reach.
“We’re proud to have led the Columbus metro to another historic year of economic development wins, improving our national performance ranking to 7th best in the country,” said Jason Hall, CEO of the Columbus Partnership. “This is our 14th straight year to be ranked among the top 10 large metros for economic development. Our consistent level of high performance is a direct result of our metro’s long-term commitment to the Partnership as a unified civic platform, engaged private sector investors, committed public partners and local economic development leaders, and a top-notch professional staff.
In 2025, One Columbus, the Columbus Partnership’s economic development arm, announced 39 projects located within the 11-county Columbus Region, representing 7,000 jobs and $5 billion in capital investment. Forty-two percent of those investments were made by foreign-owned companies.
These results reflect a diversified economy, strong regional collaboration and a disciplined strategy that continues to elevate Columbus among the nation’s top-performing metros. With 14 consecutive years of national recognition in Tier 1 rankings, the Columbus Region remains one of the country’s most consistent engines of economic growth.
Ohio once again earned a No. 3 national ranking in this year’s Site Selection Governor’s Cup, the publication’s annual award recognizing states with the highest number of qualifying new and expanded corporate facilities. The award is widely regarded as the industry’s scoreboard for economic development performance.
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About the Columbus Partnership
The Columbus Partnership brings together civic-minded business leaders to advance a shared vision to make Columbus the most prosperous region in the country. Columbus Partnership member CEOs are committed to the future of the Columbus metropolitan area through high-impact civic and philanthropic engagement. Through our One Columbus and Smart Columbus brands and investor support, our team works to help create jobs and attract capital investment, expand access to opportunity, and improve the economic competitiveness of the Columbus Region. Learn more at columbusregion.com.