JobsOhio is investing $100 million in the Columbus Innovation District starting construction on Ohio State University's west campus.
Adding to a combined $1 billion in previously announced development by the university and Nationwide Children's Hospital, the state projects the district will generate $3 billion in direct and indirect economic impact while attracting startups, Fortune 500 companies and talent to the region. The district is expected to create 10,000 direct and 10,000 ancillary jobs.
The creation of an innovation district mimics the one launched in Cincinnati in March 2020, which officials said would serve as a "blueprint" for the state. Cincinnati's district is anchored by the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
In January, officials announced a Cleveland Clinic-backed center in Cleveland targeting viral disease including pandemics is in the works. The Columbus district includes OSU's facilities for interdisciplinary research and energy innovation and Children's specialization in gene and cellular therapy.
“We want the nation and the world to look to Ohio as that great leader,” Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday. “We’re mapping out a course for growth and a course for prosperity for this great state. With the creation of these three innovation districts ... we will lead the generation of medical and health discoveries in the world.”
In return Ohio State pledged to graduate 22,500 students over the next 15 years in fields such as health sciences, biological materials, engineering and computer science. JobsOhio funds toward real estate, construction, faculty and research would then convert from loans to grants.
OSU will work with partners including Children’s and Columbus State Community College on workforce development, President Kristina Johnson said, and strive to recruit women and nonwhite students to reflect the makeup of the population. The university also projects a 50% increase in biomedical research this decade.
JobsOhio, a private economic development entity, plans to invest some $300 million yearly in economic development from its profits on the state liquor franchise. The state Department of Commerce operates retail and wholesale sales of spirits in the state while JobsOhio owns the rights.
Ohio State first outlined plans for the district at Columbus Business First's 2019 Power Breakfast. Work is already underway on $650 million in projects by OSU and $350 million from Children's. Those are:
- OSU Wexner Medical Center outpatient campus, including the region's first proton therapy center in a joint venture with Children's, already under construction.
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center with labs, classrooms and study space for several colleges. Construction was paused last spring during the pandemic but has resumed, Johnson said.
- Energy Advancement and Innovation Center, funded by the school's partnership with Engie, starting construction this summer.
- Andelyn Biosciences Inc. – an independent for-profit affiliate for now owned solely by Children's – building a lab and manufacturing facility for the genetic materials used in gene and cellular therapy research, clinical trials and eventually commercial production. Construction started in November. Columbus awarded a jobs creation incentive.
The Cleveland district also attracted some $165 million in state tax credits because of an identified jobs creation project. No additional state money is yet slated for the Columbus district, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said.
“Once this Innovation District is up and running, and we have research that generates some commercial interest, at that point in time the state through the Development Services Agency would then be in a position to come in and help make those kind of investments happen,” Husted said.
Husted revealed his personal connection to the need for gene therapy: His nephew will go blind in several years because of an inherited gene Husted’s sister did not know she carried. Discoveries from Children's and the Columbus district will be too late for him.
“I know it will help future generations avoid these genetic destinies,” Husted said. “Someday there will be moms and dads desperately seeking cures for a genetic disorder ... and they will find there is a group of people in Columbus, Ohio, developing treatments.”
