Columbus Region's Logistics Industry Tracks Above the Average Wages in Other Sectors

In the Columbus MSA in 2005 (the most recent year for which local data are available) average annual wages in the transportation and warehousing industry were 5.1 percent higher than the average annual wage for all sectors. Statewide data for 2008 show a 2.4-percent advantage for the industry. Differences are attributed to the impact of the recession and to differences in economic structure between the region and the state.

• Analysis completed by the Columbus Chamber shows that the logistics industry already supports higher-than-average pay for workers at various skill levels, training, and education. Many jobs in the logistics industry require advanced degrees, including ‘advanced logistics' and managerial positions, Logistics jobs requiring a Bachelor's or higher degree with work experience pay 23.4 percent higher than the composite of all jobs requiring the same level of education and experience.
• For the large percentage of low-skilled jobs that comprise any city's workforce, logistics jobs pay higher than jobs in other industries. Logistics jobs requiring short-term or on-the-job training pay 14.8 percent higher than the composite of all jobs that require the same level of education and experience.

• One of CRLC's critical initiatives includes strengthening logistics education by linking industry needs, workforce development, and the region's outstanding logistics curriculum. This initiative will produce a better-skilled and higher-paid workforce. Across all occupations in the region, an Associate Degree will increase the income for a worker with related work experience (ETL 8) by 8 percent, while a Bachelor's Degree will increase the income for an Associate Degree holder by 19.2 percent.

Partners Seek Grant for Transportation Investment

The Columbus Chamber and the Columbus Region Logistics Council (CRLL) are currently working with the Columbus Region Airport Authority (CRAA) to support the CRAA application to secure funding through grants for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER), signed into law as a part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Council intends to use the TIGER funds to further leverage existing and future growth for logistics, light manufacturing and "green" technology at Rickenbacker International Airport. This Rickenbacker focused project presents the opportunity to address critical infrastructure needs and further the vision of the Logistics Council for a world class Inland Port.

By utilizing Federal funds to complement State and local dollars, the proposed project will fund specific infrastructure needs (rail spur, transportation center for logistics, a COTA hub, and Freight Terminal, MORPC traffic system, project and road improvements) and create more near-term jobs and investment.

Economic Development News

Economic Development Team Travels to Chicago for Corporate Calling
In addition to our work to build the Columbus Region's assets—particularly workforce and infrastructure, the Chamber and its partners implement tactics to influence site selections consultants—those who identify potential locations for business expansions.

In early 2009, the Columbus Chamber and its public sector partners began a focused corporate calling initiative by traveling to cities throughout the United States to meet with site location consultants, real estate professionals and foreign trade commissions.

"Not only are these encounters a productive means of discussing the Columbus market, but it also allows our group to directly follow-up with consultants on past or current projects they may have collaborated on, learn what other regions Columbus directly competes for projects with, as well as what areas we could improve or put more emphasis on," said Justin Bickle, corporate site location manager, Columbus Chamber.

Chamber staff and public sector partners recently completed a trip to Chicago where they met with a foreign trade commission, as well as three prominent real estate/advisory organizations. Prior to Chicago, trips to Dallas and New York City have been made this year. Another corporate calling mission is planned for early November in Atlanta.

"The Chamber identified these as priority cities, because we have found that the greatest number of leads—prospective companies—come from these locations," said Bickle.

Corporate calling is just one of the services provided by the Columbus Chamber to cultivate project leads in the Columbus region.

Columbus Chamber Launches New Commercial Real Estate Finder
The Columbus Chamber recently relaunched an upgraded Geographic Information System (GIS) on its economic development site, ColumbusRegion.com, an online tool for both current member companies and businesses that are looking for available real estate.

These enhanced tools will aid in the Chamber's efforts to attract new capital investment, while optimizing site selection opportunities, making Columbus a more competitive option for prospective businesses. GIS allows users to quickly and easily find the ideal location for their business within the eight-county Columbus region, as well as access overlays of demographic data by county. If a member business has grown and needs a larger space or a relocating business needs to be close to a highway or an airport, they can use GIS to identify a specific building that will suit its needs. For more information contact Justin Bickle, corporate site location manager, at justin_bickle@columbus.org.

For more information on the Columbus Region Logistics Council, please contact Dan Ricciardi by email at Daniel.Ricciardi@columbus.org.