Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was recently recognized for outstanding investment attraction strategies focused on support of intelligent manufacturing. The recognition was given by U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Global Markets, Ian Steff, at the department’s annual Discover Global Markets conference held virtually this year in Indianapolis, October 7-9. In his remarks, Mr. Steff recognized 14 separate companies and economic development organizations from around the nation for their utilization or support of intelligent manufacturing. A formal presentation from the Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program was held virtually on December 4, with SelectUSA Acting Director, Ms. Dina Beaumont, delivering remarks. 

“For four decades, we have been proud to lead initiatives that support existing manufacturers while also recruiting new domestic and international companies to Columbus and Bartholomew County, Indiana,” said Jason Hester, president of Greater Columbus EDC. “Today, our community has the highest concentration of industrial and mechanical engineering occupations in the nation while our manufacturing workforce ranks in the top 2%. As such, we are keenly focused on supporting with our partners continued growth and diversification of smart manufacturing and related engineering operations in and around Columbus, Indiana, now and for decades to come.” 

In addition to Greater Columbus EDC, other award recipients with Indiana operations included Rolls-Royce Defense, Saab Aerospace, and Greater Lafayette Commerce. 

“As a state, we’re focused on propelling Indiana to the forefront of the 21st century global economy, fueling growth in industries such as advanced manufacturing and attracting and retaining investment from companies around the world,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. “With the help of tremendous partners like the Greater Columbus EDC and Greater Lafayette Commerce, we’ll continue to create new opportunities for Hoosiers and position Indiana for long-term economic growth. We congratulate both organizations on these well-deserved honors and look forward to working together to keep our state on a path to success for many years to come.” 

In her presentation, Beaumont noted the significant role that Greater Columbus EDC has had in the recruitment of international companies to the south-central Indiana community. 

The recognition of Greater Columbus EDC comes as the local organization marks 44 years of formal local economic development efforts, first organized in 1976 as the Columbus Economic Development Board. To date, more than three dozen international manufacturing and engineering operations have chosen to invest in Columbus, Indiana, collectively employing more than 8,900 persons locally. Over the past decade, Greater Columbus EDC has welcomed $902 million in announced domestic and international expansions & attraction projects, calling for the creation of 3,165 new jobs within Bartholomew County. Greater Columbus EDC Media Release: US Dept of Commerce Recognition Page 2 

About the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation 

The Greater Columbus (Indiana) Economic Development Corporation is an independent, member supported non-profit economic development organization serving Columbus and all Bartholomew County, Indiana on behalf of local government and area employers. The organization’s goal is to grow & attract well-paying, high value-added, community-minded businesses by influencing and leveraging the area’s distinct capabilities in advanced manufacturing, design, and Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) education resources. Current industry diversification targets include Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Automotive Engineering/R&D Services, as well as Aerospace, Defense, & Cybersecurity opportunities. Greater Columbus EDC’s approach is three-fold: (1) Work with existing primary employers to help them grow in Columbus and Bartholomew County, (2) attract and recruit new companies, and (3) work with local & regional partners to build upon and continuously improve the area’s desirability to businesses and residents. For more information on the Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation and the services it offers, please visit www.ColumbusIN.org. 

About SelectUSA 

As a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce, SelectUSA works with the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service and entities across government to facilitate job-creating business investment into the United States and raise awareness of the critical role that economic development plays in the U.S. economy. Since its inception, SelectUSA has facilitated more than $78 billion in investment, creating and/or retaining over 95,000 U.S. jobs. In fiscal year 2019 alone, SelectUSA facilitated more than $18.5 billion in investment. For more information, please visit https://www.selectusa.gov . 

U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Global Markets, Ian Steff, offering congratulations to investor companies and EDOs for their utilization of intelligence and manufacturing investment attraction strategies at the department’s annual Discover Global Markets conference held virtually in Indianapolis, Oct. 7-9, 2020.