Site Selection Magazine Names Columbus 2020 a ‘Top Economic Development Group’

1. For Immediate Release Contact: Kenny McDonald
April 23, 2012 614.225.6060
Site Selection Magazine Names Columbus 2020 a ‘Top Economic Development Group’
COLUMBUS, Ohio –Columbus2020, the 11-county regional economic development entity, recentlywas
awarded an honorable mention in Site Selection magazine‟s annual „Top Economic Development Groups‟
list for 2011. The Columbus Region organization was among 20 economic development groups
recognized nationwide, with peers including the Greater Washington Board of Trade, D.C., and New York
City EDC, N.Y.
“Being recognized by the top site selection industry publication as a standout economic development
group is an honor, particularly so early in Columbus 2020‟s existence,” said Kenny McDonald, chief
economic officer, Columbus 2020. “We kicked off an aggressive, 10-year economic development initiative
in 2010, and clearly our efforts are paying off. We‟re committed to continuing the momentum and putting
the Columbus Region on the map in terms of site selection and new capital investment.”
To determine the „Top Economic Development Groups,‟ local entities were first ranked according to
objective categories ranging from new jobs and new jobs per 10,000 residents, to new investment amount
and new investment per 10,000 residents. Each group was then scrutinized for more subjective attributes,
such as innovation, leadership and customer service. Columbus 2020‟s progress, even in a short amount
of time, stood out amongst economic development peers across the nation.
“For the most part, the strategic plans that were implemented in these winning, „Top Group‟ communities
were formulated during the depths of the country‟s worst recession since the Great Depression of the
1930s,” said Ron Starner, general manager and executive vice president of Conway Data Inc. and Site
Selection magazine, who authored the „Top Groups‟ report. “The ensuing turnaround stories catapulted
these locations to record levels of economic development performance. The proof is in the numbers.”
In 2011, Columbus 2020 generated more than 150 qualified projects, conducted more than 40 business
development missions across North America, and hosted 50 new companies considering the Columbus
Region. The organization also raised more than $30 million from public/private investors to execute the
strategy for the next five years, helping to fund the hiring of 11 full-time employees, an aggressive
marketing program including the robust ColumbusRegion.com, and the inception of the First Customer
initiative to boost entrepreneurship in the biomedical industry.
For more information about Site Selection magazine‟s other annual awards, and to see a full list of the
honorees, visit SiteSelection.com or check out the publication‟s May 2012 issue.
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Columbus 2020 is a bold public-private partnership that leverages the strengths of the Columbus Region‟s talented
workforce, small and large businesses, research and academic institutions, and international connections to ignite
economic growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Central Ohio. The initiative grows our economy by
ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, that the world´s leading companies are attracted to the
11-county region, that innovations are cultivated and commercialized, and that our civic infrastructure is continually
improving to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world economy. For more information, visit
ColumbusRegion.com.