Press Releases

For Immediate Release

What’s happening at the Columbus Chamber and with our members? In this section you will find a complete catalog of our recent and archived press releases.

To arrange an interview with a member of the Columbus Chamber team, contact:

Michelle Bretscher, APR
Director, Marketing and Communication
W: 614.225.6941
C:  614.499.0889

michelle_bretscher@columbus.org

  • Press Release August 15, 2012

    Columbus Chamber Announces the Region's Top Industries for Job Growth

    Key sectors include logistics, retail

    Columbus, OH – The Columbus Chamber today announced its list of top industries for job growth in the Columbus Region, backed with data from Columbus 2020’s most recent quarterly update. The update contains regional economic analysis from Regionomics™ LLC.

    “Watching these industries consistently outperform state and U.S. levels proves that the Columbus Region is a leader in the ongoing employment recovery, and a good indication of future job growth,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. “These key sectors should be on the radar screen of job seekers, ranging from veteran employees to new graduates.”

    Based on the most recent quarterly report, and insight from research director Jung Kim, the Chamber identified the following industries as standouts:

    - Logistics. Recording employment growth of 1.2 percent in the last quarter, and with consistent growth over the past few years, logistics continues to be one of the region’s top performing industries. Strategically located within a day’s drive of 50 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population, Columbus Region developments like the Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal have solidified the region’s role as a logistics hub.

    - Leisure & hospitality. This sector saw a 4.8 percent boost in employment just in the last quarter, which is only expected to continue with new developments like the Hilton Columbus Downtown and the Hollywood Casino slated to open later this year. The types of companies in the leisure and hospitality sector range from tourism attractions to food service operations.

    - Healthcare. Home to nationally ranked hospital systems including OhioHealth and Mount Carmel, the Columbus Region has established a strong reputation as a medical destination – both for patients and job seekers. The sector saw a 0.9 percent employment increase in the last quarter, and recent expansions at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are expected to reinforce this upward trend.

    - Retail. Even during a typically slower, non-holiday sales cycle, employment in the Columbus Region’s retail sector in grew an impressive 2.2 percent in the second quarter – contributing 2,100 jobs to the regional workforce. This growth can be attributed in part to continued strength in areas such as Easton, Polaris, and Reynoldsburg’s Route 256 corridor, as well as an overall recovery for the Columbus Region from the retail employment losses of the past decade. Developers are recognizing opportunities such as the revitalization of Worthington Square Mall, applying newer retail concepts that focus on experience and sense of place.  

    - Finance & insurance. Despite slight overall employment decreases over the last two quarters, this sector has been a long-term staple in the Columbus Region, anchored by major employers like JPMorgan Chase and Nationwide Insurance. These powerhouse companies continue to experience consistent growth, allowing the region to swim against the tide of national industry trends.

     About the Columbus Chamber

    The Columbus Chamber helps businesses thrive. It leads business growth, retention and expansion initiatives in the Columbus Region, enhances the business environment and delivers programs and services that enable its members to be more successful. To learn more about the Columbus Chamber, visit http://www.columbus.org.