The HBA produced an economic development summit conference that was held in September 2005. The purpose for this first-ever event was to learn what we can do to make ourselves more attractive for businesses to locate and flourish here and to send a message to central Ohio that west Columbus is positioning itself for economic development. In particular, we want to determine how we can develop a strategy for our community to take advantage of the economic opportunities of the next generation of emerging technology enterprises.
The Summit Conference
Background
Imminent Opportunities
Bringing in experts and policy makers from around the city, state, and country to help us understand our situation and what we can do about it is a vital first step. The HBA already has begun to consult with central Ohio business and political leaders as well as experts at universities and research institutions around the country. We are enlisting their help as we address our future.
Make plans now to attend. Everyone is welcome-business people, local community members, and non-residents. There will be no charge to participate and no conflict with OSU football as the Buckeyes will play a night game on that date.
HBA Economic Development Summit Held September 10, 2005
On Saturday, September 10th, at West High School, we will bring to our community recognized experts and policy makers from business, government, and academia to help us understand what we collectively can do to make ourselves more attractive for businesses to locate and flourish here. Through a series of major addresses (we are seeking commitments from Mayor Coleman and Governor Taft), a panel discussion of experts (we have contacted-and are securing commitments from-some of the country's leading experts on urban economic development at the neighborhood level), and break-out discussion sessions (where we can explore issues in detail), we will learn what resources are available, what others have done successfully, and how to leverage our community's many advantages. Then, we can begin to take tangible steps toward securing good, new jobs for our residents and revitalize our sagging local economy.
The HBA recognizes that, for the last generation, the Greater Hilltop Area has lost employment-especially with the closing or significant reduction of Westinghouse, Delphi/General Motors, and International Harvester. This has resulted in a general economic decline, with decreasing rates of owner-occupied housing and increasing concerns about crime. To be sure, Westland Shopping Center, once a premier retail magnet in central Ohio, struggles for viability. Unfortunately, the commercial and employment opportunities produced by the computer/high tech economy of the 1980's and 1990's passed by west Columbus. Indeed, we are faced with the prospects of a mature urban community in economic decline-unless, collectively, we do something to reverse the trend.
A convergence of events and existing tangible attributes have made it feasible for us realistically to seek new employers for the Greater Hilltop Area. The demise of many of our traditional large employers has left significant commercial space suitable for redevelopment. Currently, the state and private sector are investing significant resources in nanotechnology, fuel cells, polymers, genetics, and biotechnology. During the next two to ten years, spin-off companies in these emerging technology industries from the OSU-Battelle corridor will look to locate in areas where they will have room to grow. With the completion of I-670, west Columbus now contains the closest, available, inexpensive, freeway-accessible, commercial space to this corridor. Indeed, with good infrastructure and public transit and workforce accessibility, our community can advance itself with attributes that prospective employers welcome. The time is ripe for our community to determine how it will participate in this next generation of economic development.
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Hilltop Business Association Inc. |