New $1 Billion-plus Columbus Innovation District Will Boost Ohio’s STEM Talent Pool

Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week that Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and JobsOhio are collaborating on a $1.1 billion Columbus Innovation District. The project, which will focus on developing new gene and cell therapies to treat genetic disorders, is expected to create 20,000 jobs over the next decade — most of which will be in the STEM field. (Just last month, Ohio officials announced the new Cleveland Innovation District; the Cincinnati Innovation District was announced in March 2020.)

OMA President Ryan Augsburger said the OMA is optimistic the project will enhance opportunities for Ohio’s health care manufacturers and technology supply chain, while improving the state’s already high quality of life. 2/17/2021