The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Reports Positive Economic Growth and Development in the Greater Columbus Community in 2008

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) April 15, 2009

While the economic climate might look dim to some, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce sees the bright side of the road. In 2008, more than 120 companies and 12,000 employees were attracted to, or expanded within, the Columbus Region, including nearly 50 new companies. In all, the Columbus Chamber reports investments into the city's economic development totaling $2.5 billion.

"Our regional team of economic development professionals, representing counties, cities, and villages, partnered to grow the region through business attraction, retention and expansion," said Matt McCollister, vice president, economic development. "The team worked closely with the State of Ohio to create an atmosphere conducive to the economic development and growth that we have seen in the past year."

Highlights of the business attractions and expansions include:

•     Nationwide Children's Hospital (expansion)

Nationwide Children's Hospital, a national leader in pediatric care and research, announced an $800 million expansion project that will include the construction of a new, 12 story, 700,000 square foot hospital building and create 2,400 jobs by 2012.

•     PharmaForce (new company)

PharmaForce, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company, is joining New Albany's Research and Information District. This three-phased project will be located on a 31 acre site within the 128 acre Research and Information District. Phase I will include a 70,000 square foot production and research facility, expanding its sterile product manufacturing capabilities anchored by corporate offices. The project is expected to bring 200 employees to the New Albany facility.

•     NetJets, Inc. (expansion)

NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and worldwide leader in private aviation, announced a major expansion that will create at least 810 new jobs, retain more than 2,000 existing jobs and more than double the size of FlightSafety, creating the largest flight training facility in the world. The company will invest more than $200 million to expand its campus over 120 acres.

The greater Columbus area, an eight-county region composed of a mix of rural, urban and suburban locations, is easily one of the fastest growing major metropolitan areas in the Midwest. As the 14th largest city in the US and the largest city in Ohio by more than 200,000 people, Columbus is recognized as one of the best cities in the United States to inhabit and for doing business. Columbus is home to more than 25 colleges and universities with more than 115,000 students and the region is also home to 14 Fortune 1,000 companies, including six Fortune 500 companies.

The Columbus Region, also known as the Columbus Metropolitan Statistical Area, encompasses eight counties - Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union. The region grew 8.8 percent between 2000 and 2007, making it one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan areas in the Midwest. For additional information about counties and communities in the Columbus Region, including economic development contacts, visit http://www.columbusregion.com.

About the Columbus Chamber:

Led by a 35-member board of directors composed of the region's business elite, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce has more than 2,500 members. They include Fortune 500 giants Cardinal Health, Nationwide, Limited Brands and American Electric Power, as well as Big Lots Inc., the headquarters of Battelle (the world's largest private research institution) and hundreds of the region's most innovative and entrepreneurial small businesses. The Columbus Chamber leads and supports economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus community. Learn more at http://www.columbus.org/.

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