Collaboration Creates Bright Future for Licking County Businesses

Jennifer W. Roberts

Public and private partners collaborate on ways to make the region an ideal setting for existing Licking County businesses to flourish and new businesses to find a great landing spot. 

“Collaboration with other businesses enables our community to achieve greater things and speak with a much louder voice when it comes to funding,” says Sarah Wallace, board chair for The Thomas J. Evans Foundation. “Communities that work together effectively get much better results in all they do.” 

A Need for Collaboration

Immediately following Intel’s announcement of its $20 billion investment in the area, local leaders gathered to organize themselves to prepare for the opportunities, challenges and the unknown. 

While Central Ohio and Licking County had been experiencing growth, Intel and associated development represented an unprecedented magnitude of growth with an accelerated timeline. With the leadership of The Thomas J. Evans Foundation serving as a neutral convener, 15 Licking County local governments agreed to collaborate on an aligned approach for shaping the future of the region. 

Years before the Intel announcement, the conditions were set for significant economic development in this general area, especially as economic growth extended throughout the Columbus metropolitan area. Licking County has benefited from significant job growth. Intel is joining global businesses like Amgen, Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and businesses located on the Central Ohio Aerospace & Technology Center campus. This growth combined with the Intel investment in Licking County at their Ohio One site (which is anticipated to grow from $20 billion to $100 billion) served as a catalyst for new partnership. 

Partners in Education 

Licking County’s future success is dependent on continued communication and collaboration from all involved partners. Leaders in the region believe best results will come if communities consider the effects of their decisions on their neighbors and are willing to work in a different way. 

One example began shortly after Intel announced its presence in Ohio, immediately initiating educational engagement with institutions and school districts within the region. 

Throughout 2022 and 2023, Intel invested in education initiatives while simultaneously progressing construction activities on the Ohio One campus. To plan for its talent pipeline, Intel anticipates investing approximately $100 million over the next decade, with $50 million committed to Ohio to establish an education partnership with universities and community colleges. 

The first phase of funding, which involved more than 80 institutions of higher education across Ohio, came in September 2022. In summer 2023, the company announced the Intel Semiconductor Scholarship for Women in Ohio for those pursuing STEM-related associate degrees relevant to the semiconductor manufacturing industry. 

A Mission to Shape Tomorrow Together 

Educational engagement is just one goal incentivizing the community to rally around the new job growth. Beginning work in spring 2022, the FRAMEWORK initiative created a resource toolkit to help local governments address conservation and development in their communities. 

Although not a binding document, the FRAMEWORK final report was developed from widespread outreach and input from thousands of Licking County residents and is full of data and analysis. It also includes a variety of best practices any Licking County community can utilize to establish a strategic approach to managing growth in a way in which the community desires, while remaining healthy and successfully positioned for the future. 

This unprecedented public-private partnership has been supported by local business partners, in addition to The Evans Foundation, including First Federal Savings, Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Park National Corporation and Southgate Corporation. These community leaders have provided invaluable financial investment and advocacy throughout the planning process. 

It is important to also note that local governments participated voluntarily. They saw value in collaboration and committed resources. Nothing like this has ever taken place in Licking County. 

Alignment on a Path Forward 

While multi-jurisdictional work is complex, the Licking County community is making way for creative solutions by increasing funding, opportunities and resources for Licking County residents, to manage growth in a way that all communities can benefit. 

Decisions made today will result in an impact that will last decades. The promise of what Licking County can be is not fully realized until all of its communities are able to be an active part of the prosperity that lies ahead. 

The region’s efforts are paying off. 

“The business climate is very active and expanding,” Wallace says. “I believe we have proven our community embraces collaboration between public and private sectors and understands the importance of working together to get things done.”