Economy of Columbus, Ohio facts for kids
Columbus, Ohio, has a strong and varied economy. This means many different types of jobs and businesses help the city grow. Key areas include education, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, and technology.
Many important employers in Columbus are schools and hospitals, like The Ohio State University. There are also high-tech research companies such as Battelle Memorial Institute and OCLC. Big clothing and restaurant companies like Limited Brands and Wendy's also have a large presence. Other major employers include Nationwide Insurance, JP Morgan Chase, and American Electric Power. Government jobs, from the city to the state, are also a huge source of work.
Contents
- Columbus's Economic Journey
- Soaring High: Aviation in Columbus
- Money Matters: Banking in Columbus
- Keeping Us Safe: Defense in Columbus
- Style City: Fashion in Columbus
- Tasty Treats: Food and Beverages
- Caring for Health: Healthcare
- Welcome to Columbus: Hospitality
- Moving Goods: Logistics
- Building Things: Manufacturing
- Discovering Cures: Medical Research
- Shopping Fun: Retail
- Future Forward: Technology and Energy
Columbus's Economic Journey
During a tough economic time in 2007, Columbus didn't suffer as much as other places. This was because the city had worked for many years to have a mix of different businesses. Leaders made sure the economy wasn't just relying on one type of industry.
Columbus has often been recognized as a great city. In 2010, it was named one of the top 10 best big cities in the country. Later, in 2016, Forbes magazine called Columbus the 7th best city for young professionals. In 2018, Business.com said it was one of the top five cities for new businesses and entrepreneurs. Ohio is also a top state for big companies, and Columbus has the most of these "Fortune 500" companies.
In 2015, Columbus was even called one of the world's top seven "Smart Cities" by the Intelligent Community Forum. This shows how much the city focuses on technology and innovation.
Soaring High: Aviation in Columbus
John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the biggest passenger airport in central Ohio. It was once home to a factory that built famous airplanes like the F-86 Sabre and the OV-10 Bronco. Parts for the huge B-1 bomber were also made here.
Today, Columbus is home to several private jet companies. These companies offer special flights for people who need to travel quickly. Big aviation companies like Vaisala from Finland and Honeywell also have operations here. NetJets, a huge company that leases private aircraft, has its main office in Columbus. They even built a large new campus recently.
Money Matters: Banking in Columbus
Columbus is a big center for banking. Huntington Bancshares Inc., a major company, has its headquarters downtown. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. also has a very large office here, handling many mortgages.
Other well-known banks like PNC Bank, KeyBank, and U.S. Bank all have branches and offices in Columbus. This shows how important the city is for managing money and finances.
Keeping Us Safe: Defense in Columbus
Columbus plays a role in national defense. One of the largest offices for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is located here. This office helps manage money for the military.
The Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) is also east of downtown. It's a big center for military supplies. The Ohio National Guard also has a presence in the city, including the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker International Airport.
Style City: Fashion in Columbus
Columbus is a hub for fashion. Limited Brands, a very large company, is based here. They own popular stores like Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works.
Other big clothing brands like Express and The Limited also have their main offices in Columbus. Abercrombie & Fitch, which owns Hollister Co., is based nearby in New Albany. Even big discount stores like Big Lots and shoe stores like DSW are headquartered in the city. Columbus is actually third in the U.S. for employing fashion designers, after New York and Los Angeles!
Tasty Treats: Food and Beverages
Many restaurant chains started in or are based near Columbus. These include Charley's Grilled Subs, White Castle, Bob Evans Restaurants, and Wendy's. The very first Wendy's restaurant was even downtown!
Columbus is also home to many local breweries that make craft beers. The Brewery District, just south of downtown, has many pubs and restaurants. A Scottish brewery called BrewDog even chose Columbus for its main office in North America.
Companies that make frozen food, like Kahiki Foods, are also located here. Wasserstrom Company, a big supplier of restaurant equipment, is based in Columbus too.
Caring for Health: Healthcare
Columbus has many excellent hospitals. Grant Medical Center and Riverside Methodist Hospital are part of Ohio Health and have been recognized as some of the best hospitals in the country.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is one of the top children's hospitals in the U.S. It's known for its amazing work in surgery, brain care, and helping kids recover. They are a leader in medical research for children.
Other major hospitals include the Ohio State University Medical Center and the Mount Carmel Health System. These hospitals provide many jobs and help keep the community healthy.
Welcome to Columbus: Hospitality
The hospitality industry, which includes hotels and tourism, provides thousands of jobs in Columbus. There are over 25,000 hotel rooms in the Columbus area!
Downtown Columbus has many major hotels, from historic buildings to modern designs. You can find well-known brands like Hyatt, Hilton, and Sheraton. There's even a water park resort just east of downtown called Fort Rapids Water Resort.
A large new convention hotel, designed by a famous architectural firm, was built downtown to welcome visitors. This shows how much Columbus focuses on being a great place to visit and host events.
Moving Goods: Logistics
Columbus is an important center for moving goods. CSX Norfolk operates a large rail yard here, which helps transport products across the country.
Big shipping companies like UPS have huge distribution centers in Columbus. Major trucking companies like Roadway Express also have a presence. At Rickenbacker International Airport, many air cargo companies like Federal Express and DHL help fly goods around the world. This makes Columbus a key spot for trade and shipping.
Building Things: Manufacturing
Columbus has companies that make many different products. Worthington Industries, a large steel-processing company, is located on the north side of the city.
Momentive Specialty Chemicals and Ashland Inc. also have large facilities in the Columbus area. Rogue Fitness, a company that makes equipment for strength training, is based here too.
Discovering Cures: Medical Research
Columbus is a hub for medical research. Important places like the Battelle Memorial Institute and the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are always working on new discoveries. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital is also a leader in this field.
Scientists in Columbus have made amazing breakthroughs. For example, researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have worked on an HIV vaccine. OSU researchers have also developed new treatments for obesity. The Ohio State University Medical Center has been recognized as one of the top medical institutions in the country for many years.
Big healthcare companies like Cardinal Health and Abbott Laboratories (which makes Similac infant formula) also have major operations in the Columbus area.
Shopping Fun: Retail
Columbus has many great places to shop!
- Polaris Fashion Place: This mall has popular stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Brooks Brothers.
- Easton Town Center: This outdoor shopping area features high-end stores like Burberry, Nordstrom, and Louis Vuitton.
- The Mall at Tuttle Crossing: Here you can find stores like JC Penney's, Macy's, and H&M.
Future Forward: Technology and Energy
Columbus is known as a rising star in technology. This is partly thanks to the Battelle Memorial Institute, which has been a leader in research and development for over a century.
The Ohio Supercomputer Center, located at Ohio State University, is a powerful resource. It helps scientists with research in areas like biology, data science, and engineering. This center provides internet access to many people and colleges across Ohio. It also works with important partners like the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA.
Many tech companies have offices in Columbus. CompuServe, one of the very first internet service providers in the U.S., started here. Chemical Abstracts Service is also in Columbus and is a world leader in chemical research.
Battelle Memorial Institute is the largest private research and development organization in the world. They manage labs and companies globally and have made many important discoveries.
American Electric Power, a major energy company, has its headquarters downtown. Alliance Data, another big company, also recently moved its main office to Columbus.
Vertiv, a company that provides equipment for data centers, is also based in Columbus. The city continues to grow as a hub for innovation and technology.
