About The Columbus Area Chamber Of Commerce
Our mission is to lead and support economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus community. We will achieve that mission through activities that benefit our members and attract new investment to Columbus.
Unprecedented times
For many, this is the first time we’ve faced such economic uncertainty. In Columbus, we must take on this challenge as we do all others — with determination, directed energy, strategic focus, confidence, and support for one another. We will stay the course, leveraging our assets.In 2009, the Columbus Chamber has three areas of focus:
- Attract new companies and jobs - Influence business decision-makers and site selection consultants through marketing and outreach. Outcomes: regional growth, economic prosperity.
- Retain and expand existing business - Provide Chamber members with information that helps their business; collect information that helps us understand business needs so we can address them through legislative and governmental advocacy, programs, and training, as well as connections for economic opportunities. Outcomes: regional business retention, growth, and expansion.
- Build capacity for growth - Ensure that the region is defining, creating and upgrading the critical components of workforce, infrastructure, business-friendly policies necessary to support and encourage growth in targeted industries and general business. Outcomes: retention, expansion, and attraction of companies and workforce.
What we do:
Support for the business community
Through interviews with local executives and business owners, and surveys of business, we gather information that helps us help you, individually and collectively. This information drives our programs, public policy initiatives, and more. As we continue to understand changing business needs, we’re matching our programming to assist.
Of course, our fundamental programs remain intact:
- Helping businesses market their companies through event sponsorships, membership
directory, and advertising - Providing money-saving opportunities
- Connecting business and people for economic
opportunity through Contacts to Contracts,
Diversity Bridge, and networking - Supporting workforce needs by attracting
and retaining talent
Business attraction to the Columbus Region
We remain aggressive in the attraction of business and workforce too. Collaboration among 20 regional partners, regional marketing, and proactive lead generation is paying off. We’re filling the pipeline with opportunities and working together to close the deal.
Our primary strategies include:
- Use of information and economic data
to target industries and businesses - Marketing the region through technology,
public relations, targeted contacts, trade
shows, corporate calling, and missions - Regionalism, with 20 public-sector partners
investing in the Chamber for economic
development support and use of technology
that encourages collaboration to respond
to economic opportunities - Focus on long-term growth industries
identified by CompeteColumbus

2009 Action Plan
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Columbus Chamber
150 South Front Street, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215
office: 614.221.1321 | fax: 614.221.1408
Latest News
Columbus now 16th-largest city
Roundup of Business Incubators
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, July 8; 5:30 p.m.
Business AfterHours
BoMA
Wednesday, July 22; 8 a.m.
Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution Industry Briefing Breakfast
Hyatt Regency
Tuesday, Aug. 4; 5:30 p.m.
Business AfterHours
Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club
Latest Press Releases
Pearl Market Opened Today
May 19,2009
Mayor Coleman Hosts GreenSpotLight Awards
May 19,2009
Governor, Barbash Announce Grants to Businesses & Communities
May 12,2009





