MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2010 

For More Information:
John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798
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Partnership With Nationwide To Yield 1,400 Jobs Downtown

Joined by officials from Nationwide, City of Columbus and City of Grandview Heights officials, Mayor Michael B. Coleman today announced an agreement with Nationwide that will result in 1,400 additional jobs in Downtown Columbus. Nationwide will transfer the 1,400 existing positions Downtown by December of 2011.

“These 1,400 jobs in addition to the 7,500 Nationwide already employs Downtown are sorely needed by our residents as we continue to fight our way through this recession,” said Mayor Coleman. “Today’s announcement is another example of Nationwide’s historic commitment to Downtown and to all of Columbus.”

Today’s announcement continues a string of jobs projects that have made Columbus an oasis of economic activity during this severe national downturn. In recent months, Columbus and its partners have also announced:

• The expansion of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, creating 2,000 good-paying jobs;
• The expansion of JP Morgan Chase, bringing 1,000 new jobs to Columbus;.
• The Hilton Columbus Downtown convention hotel, which will create 550 new jobs;
• The creation of 500 new jobs with Huntington Bank, which also pledged to keep its headquarters Downtown for the next 20 years;
• A historic partnership with the Ohio State Medical Center, resulting in 6,000 new jobs;
• A manufacturing facility for CODA Automotive, which will create more than 1,325 jobs;
• The relocation by Canadian clothing company La Senza to Columbus, which will bring in 80 new jobs.

“With today’s announcement, Nationwide is continuing the momentum of job creation and retention in downtown Columbus that is ensuring our ability to deliver critical services, such as police and fire protection, all around the city,” said City Council President Michael C. Mentel. “When the core of Columbus is vibrant, all of Columbus benefits.”

As part of the agreement, Columbus will create a Tax Increment Finance District to support Nationwide Realty Investors’ Grandview Yard development. Those TIF dollars will be invested in public infrastructure improvements surrounding the Grandview Yard project that will result in the creation of new jobs, retail and residential projects in the City of Columbus.

“This is an opportunity to bring our workforce together, create efficient work environments and take advantage of Downtown office space that we currently have available,” Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen said. “Meanwhile, our investments in Grandview Yard will contribute to the economic vitality of the Greater Columbus community.”

The city’s improvements will help Columbus realize its goal of a technology corridor stretching along State Route 315 from Gowdy Field to Ohio State University’s main campus, resulting in significant employment opportunities within in the City of Columbus.

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