03.26.2024

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Today’s Forecast

📈 Big business energy

These are the top industries and employers in Columbus

Nationwide is one of the biggest employers, and it has one of the most iconic buildings. | Photo via Nationwide

More than a 1.8+ million people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Columbus metro area’s $169+ billion economy. But have you ever wondered about the Capital City’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Columbus Business 101 — your guide to our region’s 11 key industries and 10 major employers.

Note: The Columbus metro area is defined as Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties, according to local data.

The key industries

CBUStoday Statehouse Canva.png — The Ohio Statehouse is where many politicians go to work each day. | Photo via Canva

There are 11 key industries that represent Columbus, and no industry holds more than an 18% share of the market, based on data from the City of Columbus Economic Development Division. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.

Professional and Business Services | 18% or 324,000 employees
Of the 11 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the Columbus Region, five are also Fortune 500 companies. These businesses include Nationwide Insurance, AEP, and Hexion Inc.

Government | 16% or 288,000 employees
Since Columbus is the capital of Ohio, that means large government agencies, such as the State of Ohio, are headquartered here. The State of Ohio employs 21,000+ people, and adding to that are other agencies like the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The major players

CBUStoday JP Morgan Chase CBUS HQ — Imagine walking into this lobby each day for work at JP Morgan Chase & Co.'s HQ. | Photo via JP Morgan Chase

Now that we’ve established the major industries, we bet you’re curious for specific names. Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are 10 major employers — all that employ more than 2,000 workers on average.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
17,480 employees | Financial Activities | Search jobs
As one of the oldest financial institutes in the US, JPMorgan Chase ranks in the top five on Fortune’s most attractive employer by business students.

This information is derived from data published by the City of Columbus, One Columbus, and Fortune.

9 more industries + employers

Asked

Which industry do you currently work in or are most interested in?

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Events

Tuesday, March 26

Avenged Sevenfold | Tuesday, March 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $40-$130 | Rock out with this heavy metal band that rose to popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Book Launch: Author Jeneane O’Riley | Tuesday, March 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Half Price Books, 1389 W. Lane Ave., Upper Arlington | $15 | Meet and greet with a bestselling local author as she signs her new book, “How Does It Feel?”

Wednesday, March 27

Ohio State University Softball vs. Dayton | Wednesday, March 27 | 4 p.m. | Buckeye Field, 2450 Fred Taylor Dr., Campus | $8 | Cheer on the Buckeyes as they face the Flyers, an in-state foe.

Thursday, March 28

Mix & Shake | Thursday, March 28 | 6-9 p.m. | North Market, 59 Spruce St., Downtown | $25-$55 | Try an assortment of cocktails and spirits prepared by experts from the Ohio Distiller’s Guild.

Friday, March 29

Hidden Magic Show | Friday, March 29 | 7-10 p.m. | The Kee, 225 Neilston St., Downtown | $16 | Grab tickets to one of three different shows this evening, each one promising to do the impossible in front of your eyes.
Columbus Fury vs. Orlando Valkryies | Friday, March 29 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $25-$150 | Start your weekend with professional volleyball against a tough Florida team.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Tom Segura, a comedian from Cincinnati, is coming to the Schottenstein Center on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Segura has rose to fame thanks to his acclaimed Netflix specials and hilarious appearances on popular podcasts. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 29 at 10 a.m.

Real Estate

A total of 19 single-family homes are planned for downtown Powell near Nocterra Brewery. The project is led by Kentucky firm Fischer Homes, and development is currently in process. It will feature 3,000-sqft homes with four to five bedrooms and bathrooms. (Columbus Business First)

Opening

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee, a Michigan-based roaster with an Arabic-themed menu, is opening at 8911 S. Old State Rd. on Saturday, March 23. On opening day, the shop will be open for nearly 24 hours (7 a.m.-3 a.m.) so any customer observing Ramadan can still stop in and enjoy a treat. (614now)

Eat

Columbus Taco Week returns on Monday, June 3-Saturday, June 8 featuring $2 tacos at participating local restaurants. Options range from meat-forward to plant-based, and proceeds benefit Feed The Kids Columbus, a local nonprofit focused on youth food insecurity.

Sports

The Ohio State Spring Game will be on FOX Sports, marking the first time in the network history that a spring game will nationally televised. The game takes place on Saturday, April 13. Get tickets.

Development

Columbus College of Art & Design is proposing a $15 million plan to renovate a surface lot into an educational lab. If approved, it will become the new Center for Creative Collaboration, a 30,000-sqft facility for design and fabrication. University officials hope it will be finished in 2026. (NBC4)

Festival

Cinema Columbus Film Festival will present 50 feature-length and short films at seven different local theaters on Wednesday, April 24-Sunday, April 28. Participating theaters include Gateway Film Center and Drexel Theatre. Tickets range from $10-$200, depending on the package.

Job

Sheetz, the popular regional gas station and convenient store, plans to hire 400+ employees within the Buckeye State. The company has lofty goals of opening 50 total locations in Ohio by 2025, and this is a continuation of that ongoing effort. (Columbus Business First)

Sports

MLB’s Opening Day is on Thursday, March 28, and it feels like the Cincinnati Reds’ roster is missing just one player. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Reds with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Plan Ahead

Psst — Taxes are almost due. Use E-file for quick, online filing. Plus, file your federal taxes for free with their basic software plan.*

See who won CBUStoday’s pizza shop bracket

JT’s Pizza & Pub is located at 2390 Dublin Granville Rd. | Graphic by 6AM City

And the bracket winner is… JT’s Pizza & Pub, voted the best pizza shop by our readers and social media followers in our CBUStoday pizza bracket.

This Linworth pizzeria was a favorite in each round of the tournament. In the final faceoff, it took the biggest slice of votes at 63.8% to defeat Tommy’s Pizza.

JT’s pizza, which was opened in 2007, is known for its edge-to-edge toppings. Fans love the “Founder’s Favorite,” which comes topped with pepperoni, hand-pulled sausage, mushrooms, and onions — a classic pie that never fails to satisfy.

We want to extend a major “thank you” to all of you for participating in our bracket challenge the past few weeks. We’ve had a blast seeing how the votes shook out, and we hope you did too. Looking for pizza shops around town? Check out our guide.

The Buy

The Avryn & Co. wristlet sets. Bop around with all of your essentials and look stylish doing it.

Answered

Do you plan on visiting the new snail art in Dublin?

Giant snails slide into Dublin for upcoming public arts exhibition

No need to call an exterminator — these snails are here to stay. | Photo via Dublin Arts Council

Yes: 44.7% | No: 36.2% | You convinced me: 19.1%

Read the full story

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

Well, CBUS, I’m searching for a new headshot. After a botched haircut over the weekend, my long hair is long gone. Thankfully, I was able to walk in at the Clintonville Barbershop on Saturday morning to get re-shaped. If you are ever in a hair crisis like I was, give Gary a call.

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