Columbus, Ohio
A booming business hub
Yesterday, the world was buzzing about Columbus, Ohio due to the massive Anduril announcement. They are investing $1B and building a factory close to Rickenbacker Airport, which is just south of Columbus proper.
I grew up in a small suburb of Columbus, Ohio, called Bexley, so I wanted to share a bit about the culture in Ohio and why I believe it will be a strong place for business growth moving forward.
Centrality in the US
Ohio is centrally located in the Midwest. It’s close to the East Coast, and you can get to New York, DC, and Chicago on a plane in under two hours. The airport is very conveniently located about 15 minutes from downtown.
Mid-Size Population
Columbus is a classic mid-size city. The greater population is around 1 million people, and compared to Cleveland and Cincinnati—the other two major cities in Ohio—Columbus’s population is growing.
Universities - Especially Ohio State
You can’t live in Columbus without having some interaction with Ohio State. From their website:
“Ohio State educates over 68,000 students annually, employs 7,800 faculty members and over 41,000 staff and student employees, and has an operating budget of $7.9 billion.”
Many students choose to stay in Columbus after graduating, so there are always young people looking for jobs and a strong talent pool for companies hiring.
Cost of Living
Compared to states like California, your dollar goes far in Columbus. You can get a high quality of life for a relatively affordable cost. According to NerdWallet, the cost of living is 45% lower in Columbus than in the Bay Area.
(Lack of) Traffic
You can get around Columbus relatively easily. Most places require 30 minutes of driving or less.
Land
Columbus is landlocked and neither has mountains nor natural water. There’s a river, but no major lakes or bodies of water. One downside is that there aren’t many outdoor adventure activities, but a benefit is that outside the metro areas are cornfields in all directions—perfect spaces for factories and data centers. Land is also relatively affordable.
Strong Pride
Ohio has strong state pride and a sense of community. Go Bucks!
Overall, due to the state’s focus on economic development, abundant land for development, access to a large university and talent pools, and low cost of living, I predict business will keep booming in the Buckeye State.