2.23.10
Columbus, Ohio State Announce Largest Job-Creation Effort In City History
www.10tv.com
Calling it the largest job-creation initiative in the city's history, Mayor Michael Coleman and Ohio State University President Gordon Gee on Tuesday announced a new partnership aimed at bringing thousands of jobs to the area.

The Ohio State University Medical Center East will undergo some expansion, but the big project will be part of a $1 billion program at the university's medical center on campus, 10TV's Jeff Hogan reported.

The Ohio State University Medical Center will also expand, and bring with it thousands of jobs available from entry level to advanced research positions and physicians.

The jobs are expected to bring $77 million to the city in tax revenue, with at least $10 million in income tax the university would have paid going into the neighborhood surrounding the university's east side hospital, for revitalization, Hogan reported.

Mark Mayo, owner of Mayo's Printing on Mount Vernon Avenue, has seen residents and businesses come and go in his 17 years in business. He said he hopes the initiative announced helps his neighborhood.

"The problem with the area right here is there's nobody actually living in this community," Mayo said. "We need more investments to this community so people will feel more comfortable in this community."

The $10 million earmarked for the area surrounding The Ohio State University Hospital East will be spread out over the next 15 years, Hogan reported.

"One of the great things about this for taxpayers is it's performance-based," said Columbus City Councilman Andrew Ginther. "The incentives will only be realized if the jobs are created."

The mayor agreed.

"As University Hospital East improves, so will the neighborhood it calls home," Coleman said. "I appreciate all the great people at Ohio State and the OSU Medical Center for working with us on this historic partnership for jobs and neighborhood revitalization."

Key components of the investment include acquisition and rehab of houses, down-payment assistance and a $1 million faith-based initiative with neighborhood clergy, designed to promote healthy lifestyles through education, diet and exercise. Prior to any final neighborhood decisions, OSU is undertaking an area-wide study and seeking the input of residents to help shape future programs and investment.

You do not have to go very far to find a similar project already at work, Hogan reported. In the fall of 2008, the city partnered with Nationwide Children's Hospital for a healthy neighborhood, healthy family initiative.

The project has already yielded results in revitalization to the area south of the hospital, Hogan reported.

Nationwide Children's Hospital has committed between $3 and $5 million to building homes and helping revitalize the area.

Index of all news articles