STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Across the Columbus Region, public, private, and academic partners are working to inclusively grow our region through important and strategic initiatives.

Girl Scouts Break Ground on STEM Leadership Center and Maker Space

In May, the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland broke ground on a $16 million facility designed to attract more girls to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The almost 25,000-square-foot center, located at Camp Ken-Jockety in Galloway, Ohio, will include science and technology labs, community space, a greenhouse, a maker space for welding, mechanics, and carpentry, outdoor learning spaces, and more. Companies such as Battelle, American Electric Power, Cardinal Health, Bath & Body Works, the M/I Homes Foundation, and the Nationwide Foundation invested millions of dollars into the center. The Columbus Partnership also successfully advocated for Congressman Mike Carey to allocate Congressionally Directed Spending funds to the center.

Major League Soccer 2024 All-Star Game to Be Hosted by Columbus Crew

For the first time in 19 years, the Major League Soccer All-Star Game is returning to Columbus. In addition to the match, the Crew and City of Columbus plan to host a week-long celebration of soccer and culture with concerts, community programming, fan events, and additional soccer competitions. Columbus previously hosted the All-Star Game in 2000 and 2005, but 2024 marks the first time the match will be held at the new Lower.com Field.