The numbers are clear, and support the premise that Columbus is a good place to do business.
Consider that within the past 12 months, local employers have announced $110.5 million of planned capital investment. That information, shared Sept. 7 during the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp.’s annual meeting, represents an average of more than $9.2 million invested per month, and reflects enough confidence in the city and its business environment to expand operations and add jobs.
A recent example of reinvestment was Cummins Inc. announcing in July that it would spend $50 million to upgrade its Corporate Office Building, the company’s global headquarters located at 500 Jackson St., where about 1,300 people work.
Columbus economic officials have been spreading the message of Columbus as a good place to do business and to work, through a talent-attraction campaign called Columbus Talent, and led by the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. and Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce.
It uses an online job site, columbustalent.com, to target college-educated individuals ages 22-35 who live one to four hours from Columbus. The campaign sells Columbus as a great place to live, work and play by highlighting job, networking, recreation and social opportunities.
Columbus Talent is important for local employers because Bartholomew County’s 2.7 percent July unemployment rate, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, essentially indicates that the county is at full employment now, which makes it more difficult for employers who are struggling to find enough qualified employees for open jobs.
The good news shared at the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp.’s annual meeting is that the campaign is making inroads.
So far, 1 million individuals in the target audience have been reached. Also, 2.97 million impressions have been made on that audience, Greater Columbus EDC President Jason Hester told the audience.
Local employers like operating in Columbus, as demonstrated by their willingness to continue reinvesting in and expanding their facilities in the community. Combined with their desire to hire and a talent-attraction campaign that is making inroads, Columbus is in position to continue being a good place to do business.
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