2021
Q1
QUARTERLY REPORT
FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO
April 1, 2021
The arrival of March this year marked a sobering milestone: One year since a global pandemic drastically changed our lives and communities. It was a moment of both reflection and hope for me. The challenges we have faced in a short amount of time are immense. However, the Columbus community has come together in unprecedented ways, and as we continue the race to vaccinate our population, I feel very optimistic heading into the remainder of the year. With your engagement, ideas, and commitment to the Columbus Region, we are moving forward. While our economic development activity is high and our market continues to grow, we are simultaneously making strides at understanding and taking action to close gaps that have limited our potential for growth and prosperity. As I look ahead to the rest of 2021, I am energized about the future.
Alex R. Fischer President and CEO
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Membership and Engagement .........................04 Public Policy ............................................................06 Planning and Development ................................08 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion .............................10 Economic Development .......................................12 Smart Columbus .....................................................14 Member Roster .........................................................16 Our Team ....................................................................18
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MEMBERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT MEMBER ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR APRIL 27, MAY 17, JUNE 9 | 4-6 PM “The Conversation” Series with Dr. Robert Livingston JUNE 1 | 2-6 PM Full Member Meeting AUGUST 26 | 4-7 PM New Member Orientation (open to all members) OCTOBER 14-15 Leadership Retreat at Harvard
UPDATED STRUCTURE At our March 4 member meeting, a resolution was passed to better reflect the evolution of the organization. As a result, the following changes are now in effect: •
The Finance Committee is now formally recognized as a standing committee of the Columbus Partnership.
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The former Executive Committee is now the Governing Board, responsible for exercising and overseeing governance of the organization.
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The full membership is the Board of Advisors.
NEW MEMBERS Welcome new members Traci Martinez of Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP and Kim Zavislak of KPMG LLP.
DECEMBER 9 | 6-9 PM Holiday Party
Traci Martinez, Esq.
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Kim Zavislak
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT YALP Preparations are underway for the 2021 Young American Leaders Program at Harvard University which was postponed from 2020. The cohort will have the opportunity to participate in virtual programming curated by the Harvard Business School, as well as a number of inperson and hybrid gatherings here in Columbus with fellow cohort members and Columbus YALP alumni.
YPO We were thrilled to be joined in March by Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer in history, for a special virtual interview. The conversation, which was led by Stephanie Hightower of the Columbus Urban League and Dr. Varun Mahajan of Mahajan Therapeutics, touched on Michael’s Olympic swimming career, his struggles with mental health and current endeavors.
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PUBLIC POLICY The start of 2021 has given our community and membership the opportunity to build relationships with elected officials at every level of government while advocating for the Partnership’s public policy priorities. The momentum will propel the Columbus Region’s government affairs work throughout the rest of the year.
ELECTED OFFICIAL CONNECTIVITY D.C. VIRTUAL VISIT In March, the Partnership hosted a D.C. Virtual Visit, where Partnership members discussed policy priorities and the upcoming legislative cycle with federal leaders. The Partnership was joined by members of the Ohio congressional delegation, Senator Sherrod Brown, Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, and White House Senior Advisor Cedric Richmond. Topics of discussion included the future of science, technology and innovation, the Congressional Black Caucus and equity policy, elevating the Region’s defense assets, infrastructure and the future of mobility, tax reform, and intellectual property reform. The Biden administration provided an update on COVID-19 relief and their vision for the path forward.
STATE AND LOCAL In January, the Partnership held an economic development briefing with the newly-elected and re-elected Central Ohio delegation to discuss the Columbus Partnership and One Columbus economic priorities for the new legislative cycle. Discussions with state and local officials continue on an ongoing basis, including many with Governor Mike DeWine, who has consistently collaborated with Ohio businesses throughout the pandemic. 6
LEGISLATIVE POLICY UPDATE FEDERAL PRIORITIES The Partnership and other local leaders are working together to ensure Central Ohio takes advantage of funding opportunities through Federal Earmarks and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants. Similarly, our team is working with local governments to ensure that funding from the American Rescue Plan is maximized in our community to ensure long-term growth and prosperity.
STATE PRIORITIES Statewide issues the Partnership is focused on include broadband expansion, incentivizing venture capital investment in Ohio, and protecting renewable energy facility construction. Ohio House Bill 2 would create a grant program to expand broadband access. This bill, coupled with the Governor’s proposed one-time $250 million budget allocation for broadband expansion, should stimulate a dramatic increase in internet access for rural Ohioans, boosting economic development opportunities and digital equity in these areas. The Partnership is also working hard to incentivize continued venture capital investment in Ohio through tax incentives at the state level, by helping to support efforts on House Bill 174. An increase in venture capital investment in Ohio could bring millions of dollars to the state in taxes, create hundreds of full-time jobs and invigorate local economies. The Partnership has also fiercely opposed House Bill 118 and Senate Bill 52 which would hinder Ohio businesses’ continued investment in renewable energy through direct advocacy with legislators and testifying before committees in both chambers.
LOCAL PRIORITIES On the local level, the Columbus Partnership has been preparing for a strong downtown recovery, including discussions on municipal income tax efforts and equity initiatives. This effort will also focus on supporting small businesses and local restaurants, ensuring a thriving arts and entertainment industry and guaranteeing sufficient housing and transportation for downtown residents.
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
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145 SOUTH FRONT BUILDING PURCHASE
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
In March, the Partnership completed the purchase of the former Jobs and Family Services Building on the Scioto Mile. The 200,000-square-foot, sevenstory building has been vacant since 2007. We’ve partnered with Brad DeHays of Connect Realty and have a joint venture agreement that provides the Partnership with a valuable equity stake. An architectural design process is underway now, and Connect Realty will partner with us to redevelop the building over the next couple years.
Construction on the Interdisciplinary Research Facility at the Innovation District continues to make progress. When completed, the facility will serve multiple research disciplines, including biomedical, life sciences, engineering and environmental sciences. The Partnership, OSU, City of Columbus and State of Ohio continue working together to prepare for the development of the entire Innovation District, which will include residential units, an enhanced SciTech Corridor, office and innovation space, and ground floor retail.
DOWNTOWN RECOVERY
TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS
The Partnership is working with local government leaders, the arts community, Experience Columbus and downtown businesses and organizations to position Columbus for a rapid recovery from the ongoing pandemic. In coordination with Mayor Ginther and the Live Forward campaign, the Partnership and its members will be involved in sharing information and encouraging the community to build on the past two decades of transformation that has allowed downtown to become Columbus’ signature neighborhood.
The Partnership continues to participate in the planning initiatives for improved mass transportation, specifically along the NW Corridor (Olentangy River Road from Goodale to Bethel Roads) and the East/West Corridor along Broad Street from the Westland Mall area to the City’s far east side. The Partnership is working with public and private partners, including the City of Columbus, COTA, The Ohio State University, Nationwide and OhioHealth, to identify potential Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines that will open up key economic development areas and ease traffic congestion. Once initial planning is done, the Partnership will assist in securing federal, state and local funding. 9
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION The first few months of 2021 were a productive period of further evolving the DEI workstreams. We now have 25 members actively engaged in these groups, as well as nine community advisors. The vision for this work is to be an impactful community partner and leading example of how the private sector can help build and sustain an increasingly diverse, equitable and inclusive region. Our current focus is primarily on building racial equity inside our organizations and across our community, through a sustainable, long-term strategy that is built upon a deep understanding of the impact of racism in Columbus.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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Act on what we can uniquely do as business leaders, while at the same time engaging and supporting other community efforts with deference to existing knowledge, credibility and experiences.
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Meet one another, our individual organizations and our community partners where each sits on the spectrum of DEI activities.
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Thoroughly understand the interplay between equity and economic development and use that knowledge to help rectify Columbus’ racial wealth gap and inequities.
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Operate with a sense of humility and an enduring commitment to the values of Columbus Way, recognizing that we must aspire to extend its benefit to the entire community.
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Commit to driving both near- and long-term change.
AREAS OF FOCUS Our commitment to impact focuses on three workstreams, each driven by workgroups of Partnership members:
INDIVIDUAL AWARENESS & EDUCATION
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Purpose: Elevate the membership’s level of awareness and conviction to act on the individual level, as a means to influence mindsets and behaviors that will drive change.
Purpose: Turn the mirror on ourselves, through examination of and action on what we can affect within our own organizations.
Purpose: Lend the Partnership’s collective support and influence to uplift and support existing DEI initiatives in the Columbus Region.
This workgroup will determine policies and practices to emulate, change or enact to build more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces.
This workgroup recommends key areas for Columbus Partnership engagement, and works to mobilize small groups of members to act on those partnerships.
This workgroup supports programming to create a shared baseline of racial literacy across members of the Partnership, provide members with a solid grasp of the history of racism in Columbus, and understanding of the racial equity landscape that exists today.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Q1 RESULTS
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expansions and new locations
877
jobs committed
$627M investment
$54M new payroll created
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CONSULTANT CONNECT 2021 TOP 50 ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS Kenny McDonald, One Columbus President and CEO, and Matt McQuade, One Columbus Managing Director of Business Development, were both named a “Top 50 Economic Developer” by Consultant Connect. The economic development professionals selected for this list were nominated by their colleagues in both the economic development industry and the site location consulting industry for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve.
GOVERNOR’S CUP Site Selection, a leading corporate real estate economic development magazine, announced that Ohio ranked No. 1 in its Governor’s Cup 2020 state economic and business attraction rankings for bringing more new corporate facility projects per capita than any other state in the nation. Ohio also ranked No. 2 among the nation for total projects overall.
Q1 PROJECT WINS
The Home Depot
The world’s largest home improvement retailer announced the opening of a new 151,000-square-foot distribution facility in Grove City. Of the 71 total jobs coming to Ohio, the company is creating 24 new jobs in the Columbus Region.
Goosehead Insurance
A rapidly growing and innovative independent personal lines insurance agency with nationwide products and services announced plans to expand to Columbus, creating 100 new jobs.
EASE Logistics
An award-winning multi-operational supply chain and transportation solution announced plans to expand its headquarters in Dublin, creating 20 new jobs and investing $2 million.
Northwest Bank
A full-service financial institution that offers a complete line of business and personal banking products, insurance services, employee benefits and investment management announced plans to relocate its holding company headquarters (Northwest Bancshares, Inc.) to Columbus, from Warren, Pennsylvania, creating more than 50 new jobs.
WillowTree
A top mobile app developer and digital product agency announced plans to expand its presence in Columbus, creating 50 new jobs, increasing its Columbus workforce by more than 50%.
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SMART COLUMBUS READYING FOR A NEW ERA On April 2, the Linden LEAP self-driving shuttle completed its final food pantry delivery, marking the end not only of the shuttle deployment, but of on-street demonstrations and data collection for all eight projects within the Smart Columbus USDOT grant-funded portfolio. The team has set about analyzing the data from the projects and will share broader findings with the community this summer. With this turning point, Smart Columbus is casting an expanded vision for the organization, as a laboratory for the city of the future that sits at the intersection of technology and community good. During Q1, a small group of Acceleration Partner Senior Sponsors worked with Smart Columbus to codevelop the next framework of goals for the private sector collective action program. New goals within this proposed framework include continued efforts to adopt electric vehicles and install EV charging infrastructure, as well as goals to transition to renewable energy and more sustainable buildings, and to contribute to the digitalization of our community.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAN’T STOP COLUMBUS! Can’t Stop Columbus celebrated its one year anniversary this quarter. On March 15, 2020, the Columbus tech and business community started talking about a virtual hackathon in response to COVID-19. Community organizers got together and built an all-virtual platform, which has mobilized more than 1,700 skilled volunteers to pursue civic tech projects that help our community solve problems related to COVID and beyond. See their impact report to learn more about the projects they have launched, and how your organization can get involved through skilled volunteering. 14
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MEMBER ROSTER
As of April 2021 **Asterisks indicate Governing Board members
Jane Grote Abell CPO & Executive Chairwoman of the Board Donatos Pizzeria, LLC
Melanie E. Corn, Ed.D. President Columbus College of Art and Design
Joseph G. Hamrock, Jr. President & CEO NiSource
Mark S. Johnson Managing Partner Deloitte LLP
Nicholas K. Akins** Chairman, President & CEO American Electric Power
Tanny Crane President & CEO Crane Group Co.
David T. Harrison, Ph.D. President Columbus State Community College
Brett L. Kaufman CEO Kaufman Development
John Ammendola President & CEO Grange Insurance
Brent D. Crawford Principal Crawford Hoying
Dee B. Haslam Owner-Operator Columbus Crew SC
Mary E. Auch Regional President PNC Bank, Columbus
Chad M. Delligatti CEO InnoSource
D. Scott Barbour President & CEO Advanced Drainage Systems
Sandra C. Doyle-Ahern, MEn President EMH&T
Roger M. Bird Senior Vice President, U.S. Nutrition Abbott Nutrition
Jeffrey W. Edwards Chairman, CEO & President Installed Building Products and Edwards Companies
Heather E. Brilliant President & CEO Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc.
Thomas M. Feeney President & CEO Safelite® Group
Corrine M. Burger Managing Director JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Mark S. Cain President The Smoot Construction Co.
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John B. Gerlach, Jr. Chairman & CEO Lancaster Colony Corp. Manuel Guzman President CAS James Hagedorn Chairman & CEO The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.
Michael C. Kaufmann** CEO Cardinal Health
Elizabeth P. Kessler, Esq. Partner-in-Charge Frances B. Henry Jones Day Regional President Fifth Third Bank - Central Ohio John W. Kessler** David B. Holladay Co-Founder & Chairman President The New Albany Company CoverMyMeds Fran Horowitz CEO Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Matthew D. Kramer National Sector Leader, Consumer & Retail KPMG LLP
Mark S. Howard EVP & Chief Legal Officer Nationwide
Nancy J. Kramer** Chief Evangelist IBM iX
Lisa K. Ingram President & CEO White Castle System, Inc.
Douglas F. Kridler President & CEO The Columbus Foundation
Adam M. Johnson Chairman & CEO NetJets®
Mark D. Kvamme** Co-Founder & Partner Drive Capital
Kristina M. Johnson, Ph.D. President The Ohio State University
Richard S. Langdale Managing Partner NCT Ventures, LLC
Michael E. LaRocco President & CEO State Auto Insurance Co. Lorraine L. Lutton President & CEO Mount Carmel Health System Stephen E. Markovich, M.D. President & CEO OhioHealth
Joseph R. Nardone President & CEO Columbus Regional Airport Authority Jack W. Nicklaus Founder and Co-Chair Nicklaus Companies Jack W. Nicklaus, II Vice Chairman Nicklaus Companies
Traci L. Martinez, Esq. Thomas J. Obrokta, Jr. Office Managing Partner Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP President and CEO Encova Insurance Michael D. Martz, Esq. Managing Partner Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Thomas B. McLean (Brad) President AT&T Ohio James T. Merkel Founder & CEO Rockbridge Holdings David R. Meuse Senior Advisor Stonehenge Partners, Inc. M. Cameron Mitchell Founder & CEO Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Curtis J. Moody Chairman of the Board MOODY•NOLAN
Harold L. Paz, M.D. Executive Vice Preisdent & Chancellor for Health Affairs The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Michael A. Petrecca Managing Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Joel S. Pizzuti President The Pizzuti Companies Jonathan H. Price CEO CBC Companies Timothy C. Robinson CEO Nationwide Children’s Hospital Craig A. Rogerson Chairman, President & CEO Hexion Inc.
Matthew A. Scantland Founder and Principal TwoFold Ventures
Lewis F. Von Thaer** President & CEO Battelle
Jay L. Schottenstein Chairman & CEO Scottenstein Stores Corp.
Kirt A. Walker** CEO Nationwide
Robert H. Schottenstein Chairman & CEO M/I Homes, Inc.
Peter G. Watson President & CEO Greif, Inc.
Thomas E. Shoupe Executive Vice President & COO Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
Adam S. Weinberg, Ph.D. President Denison University
Alex Shumate, Esq.** Senior Partner - Ohio Strategic Relationship Partner Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP Stephen D. Steinour** Chairman, President & CEO Huntington Bancshares Inc. Bruce K. Thorn President & CEO Big Lots, Inc. Alex E. Timm Co-Founder & CEO Root Insurance Co. Douglas E. Ulman President & CEO Pelotonia Daniel M. Valerio Office Managing Partner Ernst & Young LLP
Abigail S. Wexner CEO Whitebarn Associates Leslie H. Wexner** Chairman Emeritus L Brands, Inc. Scott L. White President & CEO IGS Energy Kimberly K. Zavislak Office Managing Partner KPMG LLP Alliance Data Card Systems Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Dispatch Media Group The Dispatch Printing Co. Express
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OUR TEAM COLUMBUS PARTNERSHIP Irene Alvarez Vice President, Engagement, Marketing and Communications ia@columbuspartnership.com Robbie Banks Program Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion rb@columbuspartnership.com Gerard Basalla Associate Director, Public Policy gb@columbuspartnership.com Alex Fischer President and CEO arf@columbuspartnership.com Greg Davies Vice President, Planning and Development gd@columbuspartnership.com Sean Grant Chief Administrative Officer sg@columbuspartnership.com Tara Griffin Staff Accountant tg@columbusregion.com Megan Hurley Associate Director, Engagement and Programming mh@columbuspartnership.com Gideon Okonrende Loaned Executive, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion go@columbuspartnership.com Jeff Polesovsky Vice President, Public Policy jp@columbuspartnership.com Susan Rutherford Director, Benefits and Administration slr@columbuspartnership.com
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Terry Trissell Executive Assistant to the President and CEO tt@columbuspartnership.com
Kenny McDonald President & Chief Economic Officer km@columbusregion.com
ONE COLUMBUS
Matt McQuade Managing Director, Business Development mmq@columbusregion.com
Justin Bickle Managing Director, Client Services and Project Management jb@columbusregion.com Logan Dawson Project Manager ld@columbusregion.com Juliet Hall Research Analyst jh@columbusregion.com Amy Harman Director, Marketing and Communications ah@columbusregion.com Chip Holcombe Managing Director, Investor Relations ch@columbusregion.com Jung Kim Managing Director, Research and Business Intelligence jk@columbusregion.com Jay Knox Research Manager jkk@columbusregion.com Shelly Ma Economic Development Data Analyst sm@columbusregion.com Matt McCollister Senior Vice President, Economic Development mm@columbusregion.com
Jackie Pervan Executive Assistant to the President and CEO jp@columbusregion.com Jennifer Randall Senior Staff Accountant jr@columbusregion.com Deborah Scherer Managing Director, Global Trade and Investment ds@columbusregion.com Tom Stipkovich Project Manager ts@columbusregion.com David White Director, Workforce and Talent Solutions dw@columbusregion.com Haley Young Administrative Specialist hy@columbusregion.com
SMART COLUMBUS Jordan Davis Executive Director jld@columbuspartnership.com Jennifer Fening Director, Marketing and Communications jf@columbuspartnership.com Mackenzie King Director, Innovation Initiatives mk@columbuspartnership.com
Zach McGuire Head of Growth for Sustainability Initiatives zm@columbuspartnership.com Mark Patton Vice President, New Business Ventures mp@columbuspartnership.com Savannah Ranz Administrative Coordinator and Office Manager sbr@columbuspartnership.com Alex Slaymaker Head of Programs for Sustainability Initiatives as@columbuspartnership.com
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