All posts in the topic Attracting New Businesses to Central Ohio (Short link)

Topic Navigation

Useful Links

Topics in Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum

Summary

There are 9 posts — by 6 authors — in this topic.
Latest post made by Beryl Anderson at Jul 08 13:25 UTC

From: Joshua Wiener Date: Jul 02 06:25 UTC Short link

In light of the many changes and challenges currently facing the American
economy, what should our local communities (large and small) do to maintain
their competitive advantage in the struggle for diminishing resources and
investments?  What types of businesses and jobs do you think should be targeted
for expansion in Central Ohio?  What steps can be taken to attract new
businesses to our local communities in the present economic environment?

Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Best,
Josh Wiener

From: Josh Vittie Date: Jul 02 09:43 UTC Short link

One of the first things we need to do is to promote the image of Ohio as being
a business friendly state with more economic advantages than others.  This is
based on one simple fact - businesses do not do anything without a cost-benefit
analysis of how decisions impact their bottom line.  If the cost of doing
business is higher in Ohio than another location, they will go there.  However,
if they believe that Ohio can offer them something they need - Ohio suddenly
becomes more attractive.  I know its a college student 'party-line' of sorts,
but - in the region we have some amazing universities producing a number of
innovative, progressive, intelligent young professionals.  Bringing in
businesses and the economic opportunities that come with them may serve to keep
some of those new workers (the former students) in the region.

It is important to dispel some of the recent negative publicity that has come
up and serves to hurt the image of our state and region.
For example see:
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-06-30-0013.html
and the WSJ article in full:
http://wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121460691372812085.html

Yes, we may be losing some of those bright young minds that are receiving
degrees at our fine Universities - but I think that if we are able to bring in
companies that can offer good wages and opportunities for security and
advancement those new graduates will stay.  Another measure that may help is to
foster a sense of belonging, involvement, and community - that can help recent
graduates to have a mindset of wanting to stay, as opposed to growing up and
looking for the door because they lack a real connection to the region.

From: Andrew Miller Date: Jul 02 12:32 UTC Short link

I agree withretaining the talent we're growing here through the universities
and I think it is important to attract business here.I believe there are
several different angles to this that all need to be pursued in order to
beeffective. The tact I'd like to focus on is makingColumbus a sustainable
communitythroughmaximizing the return on resource usage.
We are a city surrounded by agriculture but we don't take advantage of that in
the city. Why aren't we getting near city farmers to grow greater amounts of
food for Columbus?
If a farmer feels that is not the direction they want to head then perhaps we
could work with them to start wind farming. Due to the amount offlatland
available within 50 miles of the center city we could conceptuallysignificantly
cut power distribution costs by buildingwind/solar farms which would deliver
energy directly to Columbus. This should cut the buy-in cost of these "new"
technologies and makeColumbus a standout both for its committment to green
energy and its innovative solution for local energy production.
Having a beautiful water retreat in the heart of the city by protection of the
Scioto and Olentangy Rivers by maintaining a strong green (forestation) band on
both sides of the river, removing the low overhead dams, and working to
eliminateupstream agricultural run-off (promoting sustainable farming) and
elimination of sewage run-off is a big draw. Columbus doesn't have mountains or
oceans and we've been over that time and again. It is very close to the
foothills of the appalachians which is a sellingpoint but ourrivers and
reseviors could really be standout features if we didn't treat them like
crap(pers).
Columbus is still small enough thatbusiness visitors aren't stuck in some
sterile environment when they come to town. Our convention center is in the
heart of a neighborhood and we should push that fact as well as keep that
difference in mind when investing in other types of business
infrastructure.Business visitors to ourcity have an opportunity to really
experience our city and what it has tooffer upclose and we need tocontinue to
makesure that experience is a positive one.
Finally we need to deal with transportation.We have two strong airports (plus
Don Scott), great railopportunities and for better or worse we're a meeting
point for several major interstates. How can we move people and product in and
out ofColumbus in such a way that wemake sense as a major hub?On a very local
level if you can provide an environment where employees don't have to pay for a
car then that is effectively a huge pay increase for those people. The ability
to deliver individuals from the airports and other major population areas to
our downtown will certainly make our center city much more attractive to
business.
Anyhow, these are justa few ideas. Keep them coming!
Andrew Miller
http://andrew-miller.com
http://elephantsonbicycles.com

----- Original Message ----
From: Josh Vittie <josh.vittie@gmail.com>
To: Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum <corif@forums.e-democracy.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 5:45:02 AM
Subject: Re: [CORIF] Attracting New Businesses to Central Ohio

One of the first things we need to do is to promote the image of Ohio as being
a business friendly state with more economic advantages than others. This is
based on one simple fact - businesses do not do anything without a cost-benefit
analysis of how decisions impact their bottom line. If the cost of doing
business is higher in Ohio than another location, they will go there. However,
if they believe that Ohio can offer them something they need - Ohio suddenly
becomes more attractive. I know its a college student 'party-line' of sorts,
but - in the region we have some amazing universities producing a number of
innovative, progressive, intelligent young professionals. Bringing in
businesses and the economic opportunities that come with them may serve to keep
some of those new workers (the former students) in the region.

It is important to dispel some of the recent negative publicity that has come
up and serves to hurt the image of our state and region.
For example see:
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-06-30-0013.html
and the WSJ article in full:
http://wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121460691372812085.html

Yes, we may be losing some of those bright young minds that are receiving
degrees at our fine Universities - but I think that if we are able to bring in
companies that can offer good wages and opportunities for security and
advancement those new graduates will stay. Another measure that may help is to
foster a sense of belonging, involvement, and community - that can help recent
graduates to have a mindset of wanting to stay, as opposed to growing up and
looking for the door because they lack a real connection to the region.

Regards,
josh

Josh Vittie
Columbus
Info about Josh Vittie: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5D4dabjS10woCDuHO4EAIv

This topic's messages may be viewed at:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/igmWc3oHjmgw2qykFSRsg
-----------------------------------------
 To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
 To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
 in subject line and send to: <email obscured>

 More info about Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum:
 http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/corif

 E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules
-----------------------------------------
Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net

From: Nick Bates Date: Jul 02 12:47 UTC Short link

I agree, also in Central Ohio the plan (and incentives) need to be given to
businesses that 'fill in' the city.  Columbus has three times the geographic
area of Cleveland, but about the same in population.  New homes (and
remodeling of old homes) should be done along current bus lines, water
lines, electrical lines etc.  If developers and people setting up new
businesses don't have to worry about waiting on utility companies and get an
incentive to develop within the city it will help on a lot of issues.  I
think that filling in the empty spaces will help with plans of public
transportation (including light rail) and also help local communities to
have access to jobs.  Development in Powell does not help low-income people
living in the communities circling downtown.




> One of the first things we need to do is to promote the image of Ohio as
being
> a business friendly state with more economic advantages than others.  This is
> based on one simple fact - businesses do not do anything without a
> cost-benefit analysis of how decisions impact their bottom line.  If the cost
> of doing business is higher in Ohio than another location, they will go
there.
> However, if they believe that Ohio can offer them something they need - Ohio
> suddenly becomes more attractive.  I know its a college student 'party-line'
> of sorts, but - in the region we have some amazing universities producing a
> number of innovative, progressive, intelligent young professionals.  Bringing
> in businesses and the economic opportunities that come with them may serve to
> keep some of those new workers (the former students) in the region.
>
> It is important to dispel some of the recent negative publicity that has come
> up and serves to hurt the image of our state and region.
> For example see:
>
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-06-30-001
> 3.html
> and the WSJ article in full:
> http://wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121460691372812085.html
>
> Yes, we may be losing some of those bright young minds that are receiving
> degrees at our fine Universities - but I think that if we are able to bring
in
> companies that can offer good wages and opportunities for security and
> advancement those new graduates will stay.  Another measure that may help is
> to foster a sense of belonging, involvement, and community - that can help
> recent graduates to have a mindset of wanting to stay, as opposed to growing
> up and looking for the door because they lack a real connection to the
region.
>
> Regards,
> josh
>
>
> Josh  Vittie
> Columbus
> Info about Josh  Vittie:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/5D4dabjS10woCDuHO4EAIv
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/igmWc3oHjmgw2qykFSRsg
> -----------------------------------------
>   To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
>   To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
>   in subject line and send to: <email obscured>
>
>   More info about Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum:
>   http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/corif
>
>   E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules
> -----------------------------------------
> Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net

From: Joshua Wiener Date: Jul 03 05:59 UTC Short link

Very interesting ideas from everyone about what it will take to attract new
businesses to Central Ohio and keep our local communities economically
competitive.  Andrew mentioned the potential for wind energy to play a role in
this effort, which I think is a great idea, although I do have a few questions
about it.  From a technical/economic perspective, what areas of Central Ohio
consistently receive enough wind to make the investment in new infrastructure
worthwhile?

Similarly, I've been reading a bit recently about distributed wind energy -
essentially this refers to private citizens putting up wind turbines on their
property in order to produce energy for their personal consumption as well as
to sell back to the power grid.  Is anyone aware of any private wind mills in
the region?  If so I'm curious to hear more about small wind generation in Ohio
and if there is potential for this technology to become more important in the
future.

Thanks for sharing all of your ideas.  Please keep them coming!

Best,
Josh Wiener

From: Andrew Miller Date: Jul 03 11:56 UTC Short link

I'm not familiar with anyone who is doing this right now (I know people are I
just don't know them personally) however my CSA farmer and I talked about it
for a while a month or so ago. He's done a feasability study and plans on
adding some turbines in the next couple of years - depending on financing. He's
in Mt. Gilead and says that he's measured average air speed on his farm and
determined that in that area they have a more than sufficient amount of wind to
make it economically viable. Thehardest part is coming up with the initial
buy-in financing cause turbines aren'tcheap (yet).
Andrew Miller
http://andrew-miller.com
http://elephantsonbicycles.com

From: Cheryl Date: Jul 03 13:43 UTC Short link

I am glad to see that you included maintaining river areas in your suggestions.
Maintaining central Ohio's rivers in a clean, and green fashion is very
important to our good image. Unfortunately not enough people are willing to
speak out on this issue to decision makers and state agencies. Take the recent
re-write of the Olentangy storm water permit. The OEPA suggested wide setbacks
at the rivers edge to protect the rivers scenic status. They also suggested
setbacks on the Olentangy's small tributaries where most of the  non-urban
pollutants enter the waterway and they got BLASTED. Few concerned citizens
turned out at  the public meetings in favor of the suggestions. This led to a
redraft and greatly reduced setback suggestions. At the public meeting on the
redraft, again, few concerned citizens were present. However, commercial and
residential developers were in attendance in large numbers and were very vocal
in their opposition. I wonder what the final recommendations will reflect? How
seriously do Central Ohioans take having access to clean water for drinking and
recreation? People need to make the connection between health, environment,
connecting with your state and local officials, and the financing required to
maintain these conditions.

From: Josh Vittie Date: Jul 04 11:30 UTC Short link

As far as a non-residential success story of wind energy: last I heard, the
windmill project at Glacier Ridge Metro Park was successful and capable of
providing energy enough to satisfy the park's entire energy needs as well as
store power in batteries for days that are not windy enough to spin the
turbine.  I just recall this from a hike at the park a couple years back, I'm
not sure what recent developments have taken place in the Metro Park system to
expand on this program.

From: Beryl Anderson Date: Jul 08 13:25 UTC Short link

Also keep the baby boomers and talented wisdom of the seniors engaged in the
new businesses. Many baby boomers have been forced to "retire early" because of
the economy; however, some are still interested in working and using their
talents.

________________________________

From: Joshua Wiener [mailto:wiener.19@osu.edu]
Sent: Thu 7/3/2008 2:00 AM
To: Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum
Subject: Re: [CORIF] Attracting New Businesses to Central Ohio

Very interesting ideas from everyone about what it will take to attract new
businesses to Central Ohio and keep our local communities economically
competitive.  Andrew mentioned the potential for wind energy to play a role in
this effort, which I think is a great idea, although I do have a few questions
about it.  From a technical/economic perspective, what areas of Central Ohio
consistently receive enough wind to make the investment in new infrastructure
worthwhile?

Similarly, I've been reading a bit recently about distributed wind energy -
essentially this refers to private citizens putting up wind turbines on their
property in order to produce energy for their personal consumption as well as
to sell back to the power grid.  Is anyone aware of any private wind mills in
the region?  If so I'm curious to hear more about small wind generation in Ohio
and if there is potential for this technology to become more important in the
future.

Thanks for sharing all of your ideas.  Please keep them coming!

Best,
Josh Wiener

Joshua Wiener
Columbus
Info about Joshua Wiener: http://forums.e-democracy.org/p/7RLT8BjR8IDYMobo479RI

This topic's messages may be viewed at:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/1xKh8rDCrMrNggRBMRjmZr
-----------------------------------------
  To post, send your message to: <email obscured>
  To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on,"
  in subject line and send to: <email obscured>

  More info about Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum:
  http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/corif

  E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules
-----------------------------------------
Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net
<http://onlinegroups.net/>

Add to the topic Attracting New Businesses to Central Ohio [?]

You cannot post because you are not logged in. If you are a member Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum, login to post to this topic. Otherwise sign up, become a member of Central Ohio Regional Issues Forum, and post to this topic.

Need help? Please contact technical support. To support your forum, please donate. Hosted by E-Democracy.Org. Powered by OnlineGroups.Net using GroupServer.