Download this press release (PDF)
Columbus, OH – The Columbus Region was today recognized as a Top 50 Military Friendly City® according to G.I. Jobs magazine, earning the No. 11 spot out of 381 metropolitan areas nationwide. The Region was singled out for its low cost of living and unemployment rate, as well as its large pool of jobs at Military Friendly Employers®, number of Military Friendly School® campuses and number of veteran- owned businesses.
“Only one in eight metropolitan areas made this list,” said Sean Collins, brand director for G.I. Jobs, which conducts the study and publishes the list. “As a result of their pro-military and veteran policies and practices, these cities will certainly have an advantage in attracting this young, vibrant talent as they choose where to raise their families after leaving the military.”
The Columbus Region dedicates various resources to help veterans transition into the workforce, including OhioMeansJobs.com, which lists veteran-friendly employers, top careers for veterans, and offers tools like the Military Skills Translator. Companies in the Region also participate in a number of military-specific hiring initiatives, including the Hiring Our Heroes job fair and the 100,000 Jobs Mission.
Columbus Region companies offer training programs targeted to military veterans, including Halcyon IT, which teaches veterans the basic skills of software development and software quality assurance through classroom training, reference materials and hands-on workshops and lab exercises. For veterans pursuing higher education, The Ohio State University’s Office of Military and Veteran’s Services is a single point of contact for all students utilizing VA benefits.
One of the Columbus Region’s largest employers is Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), boasting approximately 9,000 civilian, contractor and military personnel. In general, the Region boasts a favorable unemployment rate for veterans seeking a stable job market, with a 6 percent rate in the first quarter compared to state and national rates that were more than 7 percent.
“It’s an honor for the Columbus Region to be included on this national ranking, as the Central Ohio economy is positively impacted by veteran-owned businesses and large, military-focused employers,” said Kenny McDonald, chief economic officer, Columbus 2020. “We are proud to be recognized for our favorable cost of living and unemployment rate, but even more proud of the initiatives that help veterans thrive once they have served their country.”
For more information about G.I. Jobs annual ranking, including a full list of metropolitan areas that made the 2013 cut, visit www.MilitaryFriendly.com/city or watch for the July issue of the magazine.
-END-
About Columbus 2020
Columbus 2020 is a public-private partnership that leverages the strengths of the Columbus Region’s talented workforce, small and large businesses, research and academic institutions, and international connections to ignite economic growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Central Ohio. The initiative grows our economy by ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, that the world’s leading companies are attracted to the 11-county region, that innovations are cultivated and commercialized, and that our civic infrastructure is continually improving to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world economy. For more information, visit ColumbusRegion.com.
Contact:
Kenny McDonald
614-225-6063