The housing crisis meets economic opportunity in this eye-opening conversation with Eric Phillips, Executive Director of the Union County-Marysville Economic Development Partnership. As Union County claims the title of Central Ohio's fastest-growing county, Phillips reveals the complex relationship between job creation, housing availability, and community development that shapes our region's future.
"A house is where a job goes home at night," Phillips shares, highlighting a sobering reality: within just 20 miles of Marysville, approximately 7,000 jobs remain unfilled while housing remains scarce. The conversation explores how development approval processes can take years, creating bottlenecks that stifle growth and opportunity. We examine why only 10% of Ohio's school districts are growing and challenge common misconceptions about how new housing developments impact local schools and infrastructure.
The discussion shifts to Union County's economic strengths, particularly in manufacturing and R&D. Honda serves as the anchor employer, investing $1 billion to retool its Marysville plant for the future of automotive production. Phillips shares insights on how nearly 2,800 engineering positions along the corridor create tremendous possibilities while presenting workforce challenges, with hundreds of engineering positions remaining unfilled.
Perhaps most compelling is Phillips' vision for collaborative community development through what Europeans call the "triple helix" – business, government, and education working together rather than in silos. His passionate plea to "make Ohio cool again" raises questions about how our state positions itself for future growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. Whether you're a business leader, community member, or policymaker, this conversation offers valuable perspective on the interconnected factors determining Central Ohio's economic trajectory for decades.
For more information on economic development initiatives in Union County, visit growunioncountyohio.com or sign up for their newsletter.
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