COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--It was in their name, but today Columbus 2020 says a key goal for economic development in the central Ohio region was reached two years ahead of schedule.
The economic development organization says 150,000 net jobs have been added in the 11-county region since 2010. The original goal was to have that many by 2020.
The region is comprised of Franklin, Delaware, Knox, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Fairfield, Logan, and Union counties.
“We selected the 150,000 net new jobs goal because it surpasses anything we’ve done in our history as a metropolitan region,” said Kenny McDonald, president and CEO, Columbus 2020. “And we stressed that it be a net number so that we continued to focus on the success and expansion of existing companies and not just the recruitment of new companies to the area.”
The Columbus 2020 Regional Growth Strategy’s goal to attract over $8 billion of capital investment has already been met and exceeded, and the goal to raise per capita income by 30 percent is on pace to be achieved and exceeded. The Columbus Region has also been repeatedly recognized as a national leader in economic development.
Officials add it is the region's strongest decade of growth in history.
(photo courtesy Columbus 2020)