Chamber News

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce urges Franklin County voters to support Issue 21

March 2nd, 2020

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Issue 21, a levy supporting Columbus State Community College (CSCC), on the upcoming March 17, 2020 primary ballot.

This initiative asks voters to approve a 24-year bond issuance commencing in 2020 of 0.65 million to generate an estimated $300 million over 10 years.

Funds will be used for capital improvements that will ensure the college is adequately equipped to prepare workers for the jobs of tomorrow and able to successfully meet the needs of employers.

“As with all endorsement processes, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce thoroughly vetted the proposal by analyzing the details and supporting documents, sorting fact from politics, with our members’ best interests in mind,” said Don DePerro, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber.

In accordance, the Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to support Issue 21 after a referral by the Government Affairs Steering Committee.

CSCC is a long term partner of the Chamber, helping to fund the organization’s Workforce Development Director position, which is held by Kelly Fuller. In this role, Kelly works to strategically align the community’s social services, education and employer segments through partnerships and educational opportunities.

Access to high-quality and affordable postsecondary education is vital for a strong workforce and therefore, a critical component of the Chamber’s workforce initiatives.

“An investment in CSCC equates to an investment in our region’s talent infrastructure,” said DePerro.

The Chamber encourages its members, and the greater community, to vote in support of Issue 21 at the March 17 primary ballot.

For more information on the primary ballot, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. And to learn more about the Chamber’s support of Issue 21, visit Columbus.org.

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About the Columbus Chamber

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a mission-driven nonprofit organization serving over 2,000 organizations throughout Central Ohio. The Chamber, founded in 1884, is committed to advancing a thriving Columbus Region and provides support in the areas of research, government affairs, marketing, education and workforce development.