6 minute read
Development
G Grove City is home to more than 1,000 businesses, 22 of which opened their doors last year joining an ever-developing network of successful enterprises. Operating under a new normal, Grove City businesses and entrepreneurs earned multiple accolades and recognitions in 2022, raising the profile of our entire community. Our hometown identity and continued successful development is enhanced by the achievements of Grove City’s business sector.
Brian and Dominique Brooks, co-owners of E.E. Ward Moving and Storage, the country’s oldest African Americanowned business, were inducted into The National Civil Rights Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony in June 2022. Honorees are selected by the National Civil Rights Library, an independent Chicago-based charitable organization that seeks to acknowledge outstanding individuals who have advanced the goals of equality and inclusion.
John T. Ward started his moving business in 1881, not long after the adoption of the 13th Amendment, and often used his moving wagons to help individuals escape slavery. What started as a stop on the Underground Railroad 140 years ago, has flourished as one of the most trusted moving companies in the country.
Brian, godson to Eldon Ward, the last Ward family member to operate the business, and his wife Dominique continue the company’s long legacy of giving back. Under the couple’s leadership, E.E. Ward’s community involvement continues its far-reaching impact through fundraising events like Laps for Learning and partnership opportunities like the Childhood League and KidSmiles.
FST Logistics | 2022 Top Food Chain Provider
FST Logistics, a third-party logistics company in Grove City, was recognized as a 2022 Top Food Chain Provider by Food Chain Digest, the official magazine of Food Shippers in America. An employee-owned company serving nationwide, FST Logistics employs over 400 associates and provides temperature-controlled transportation services and warehousing capabilities.
Forge Biologics | 2022 Columbus Inno BizTech Fire AwardGrove City Business Community Earning Accolades
Brian and Dominique Brooks, co-owners of E.E. Ward Moving and Storage, the country’s oldest African American-owned business, were inducted into The National Civil Brian Brooks with National Civil Rights Library Chairman William G. Thurman Rights Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony in June 2022. Honorees are selected by the National Civil Rights Library, an independent Chicago-based charitable organization that seeks to acknowledge outstanding individuals who have advanced the goals of equality and Launching business in July 2020, Grove City’s Forge Biologics captured the attention of the biotech manufacturing industry, developing innovative gene therapies aimed to help patients suffering from devastating rare diseases. Columbus Business First newspaper honored the young business late last year, with a Columbus Inno BizTech Fire Award for innovation in technology.inclusion. The awards program highlights emerging entrepreneurs
John T. Ward started his moving business in 1881, not and companies making waves in the industry. Forge and 13 long after the adoption of the 13th Amendment, and often other businesses were among those honored at a Dec. 8 cerused his moving wagons to help individuals escape slavery. emony held at the Fawcett Event Center on the campus of What started as a stop on the Underground Railroad 140 The Ohio State University. years ago, has flourished as one of the most trusted moving Forge shared in an October 2022 press release that testcompanies in the country. ing data revealed positive results from recent studies of an
Brian, godson to Eldon Ward, the last Ward family mem- investigational adeno-associated virus (AAV) they developed ber to operate the business, and his wife Dominique continue for infants with Krabbe disease, a fatal neurodegenerative disthe company’s long legacy of giving back. Under the couple’s order. Chief Medical Officer Maria Escolar, M.D., presented leadership, E.E. Ward’s community involvement continues the study’s finding to the 29th Congress of the European Soits far-reaching impact through fundraising events like Laps ciety of Gene & Cell Therapy, noting the new treatment could for Learning and partnership opportunities like the Child- be a potential solution to immune challenges. hood League and KidSmiles. Since its start, Forge has successfully raised a total of $330 million in funding, including the largest Series B fundraise in Ohio’s history. This allowed the company to accelerate client offerings and expand capabilities, laboratory space and staff. Starting with just four entrepreneurs, the Gantz Road facility now spans 175,000 square feet and employs approximately 270 people led by some of the most talented, experienced and sought-after executives in the industry. Forge is expected to grow its headcount by as many as 75 in 2023. “If there’s a secret to Forge’s success,” said CEO, President and Co-Founder Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D., “it’s our people.”
rove City is home to more than 1,000 businesses, 22 of which opened their doors last year joining an ever-developing network of successful enterprises. Operating under a new normal, Grove City businesses and entrepreneurs earned multiple accolades and recognitions in 2022, raising the profile of our entire community. Our hometown identity and continued successful development is enhanced by the achievements of Grove City’s business sector.
Launching business in July 2020, Grove City’s Forge Biologics captured the attention of the biotech manufacturing industry, developing innovative gene therapies aimed to help patients suffering from Brian Brooks and National devastating rare diseasCivil Rights Library Chairman es. Columbus Business William G. Thurman First magazine honored the young business late last year, with a Columbus Inno Biztech Fire Award for innovation in technology. The awards program highlights emerging entrepreneurs and companies making waves in the industry. Forge and 13 other businesses were among those honored at a Dec. 8 ceremony held at the Fawcett Event Center on the campus of The Ohio State University. Forge shared in an October 2022 press release that testing data revealed positive results from recent studies of an investigational adeno-associated virus (AAV) they developed for infants with Krabbe disease, a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Chief Medical Officer Maria Escolar, M.D., presented the study’s finding to the 29th Congress of the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, noting the new treatment could be a potential solution to immune challenges. Since its start, Forge has successfully raised a total of $330 million in funding, including the largest Series B fundraise in Ohio’s history. This allowed the company to accelerate client FST Logistics | 2022 Top Food Chain Provider offerings and expand capabilities, laboratory space and staff. FST Logistics, a third-party logistics company in Grove City, was recognized as a 2022 Top Food Chain Provider by Food Chain Digest, the official magazine of Food Shippers in America. An employee-owned company serving nationwide, FST Logistics employs over 400 associates and provides temStarting with just four entrepreneurs, the Gantz Road facility now spans 175,000 square feet and employs approximately 270 people led by some of the most talented, experienced and sought-after executives in the industry. Forge is expected to grow it’s headcount by as many as 75 in 2023. perature-controlled transportation services and warehous- “If there’s a secret to Forge’s success,” said CEO, President ing capabilities. and Co-Founder Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D., “it’s our people.”
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Four Grove City Businesses are Top Workplaces in Columbus, according to a survey by Columbus CEO magazine.
Top Small Workplaces in the Columbus Area: Forge Biologics; Silco Fire and Security Special Award for New Ideas: Forge Biologics Special Award for Meaningfulness: Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services Special Award for Training: Kenneth’s Hair Salons and Day Spas
