[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6616408,"mediaKeyId","2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837","parentId",2853033,"title","Panelists urge workforce training and diversity goals as Central Ohio construction booms","audioSeconds",1328,"startMs",1834000,"endMs",3162000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837&start=1834&end=3162","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837/thumbnail_1834000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6616408/Ohio/Panelists-urge-workforce-training-and-diversity-goals-as-Central-Ohio-construction-booms","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616408-3c4ec96f99a0352b09bd6b68278e0e56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150354&Signature=Gf2zYEtrt6yFhFueitKcqV62i1Q82CCeec~ifPgP~U7TpaR75P9rd0qo0-ZFh-sutIOwVTQIQEFlZpgvHZZ3HfO3~UzXmC~hCRIGmCo6gziXSz9dMlLB3DLX4vQAZjf~PVBCABOgiUjJnPjrc4Ij551tign0BVQBhDb7BH8yuP-W4KJAdY9szmcqHHplHhthTgYs-w7Ukc3~WB2MVbC5fgShkkle0nVh~mpbd-UtMjZtMR9Yy0At5NUK~uCsqQYFeYfw5qGBzeP8IyYueFblJlHtCXx7xbleRz-Qns3-fA4KuPUNeNYkbc8IiSk9wgsp45HSIyO-KFTmxAGKUmXkVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbus","date","2025-04-02T20:09:30.82Z","article","Speakers at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum highlighted workforce development and inclusion as central to handling Central Ohio’s construction boom.

Matt (identified in the forum as vice president and Columbus general manager for Turner Construction) described local efforts to rebrand construction careers and to enroll new workers. \"Years ago, we decided that you gotta change that stigma... once you start to do that, people realize this is a profession,\" he said, noting Turner’s workforce-development programs and the company’s long-running Turner School of Construction Management.

Joseph Nardoni said the airport terminal project includes prevailing-wage requirements and targets for minority- and disadvantaged-business participation. \"We have a 25% diversity business partner goal. We're currently just short of 26%. We have established prevailing wage on all for everyone gets a prevailing wage,\" he said.

Pamela Bridal said ODOT works with community colleges and trade programs — citing partnerships with Columbus State, Stark State and Sinclair — and that the department pursues small-business and disadvantaged-business engagement on highway projects. She said ODOT includes civil-rights compliance such as Title VI in project oversight.

Panelists described specific outreach and training results: Turner’s workforce programs enrolled new trainees who then moved into construction careers; ODOT said a major corridor contractor conducted roughly 40 community outreach efforts and engaged 700 tradespeople to fill project roles. Speakers urged clearer communication between private employers and public agencies to align training with employer needs.

Ending: Panelists said recruiting younger workers, expanding career-technical pathways in schools and maintaining prevailing wages and small-business goals are central to sustaining the region’s construction and manufacturing growth.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbus Metropolitan Club: Central Ohio Builds BIG!","oneSentenceSummary","Panelists at the Columbus Metropolitan Club forum said construction and manufacturing growth in Central Ohio requires aggressive workforce recruitment, training and inclusion programs. Turner Construction, Columbus Airports and ODOT representatives described local training pipelines, prevailing-wage rules and small-disadvantaged business goals.","taxTitle","Columbus City Council, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio","taxId",75950,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616413,"ODOT director warns of 2028 budget gap as state rolls out $11 billion transportation package",250,480000,730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837&start=480&end=730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837/thumbnail_480000.jpg","/articles/6616413/Ohio/ODOT-director-warns-of-2028-budget-gap-as-state-rolls-out-11-billion-transportation-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616413-af00961fb9570673c3536d332ae74b62/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150354&Signature=BDw7EJ9lx8d2~q2XBTin2OeFC-2AGWRQyn~AKXCnkjApEIh1c5E3sKyosn8HyVzqsFcS8RsZiZS1lDT5BCtbOnkYmpoF2eacAPAyhQ~2mnLzHCtqRZdFoIg2lTgs6WMsOSci6IEH4vdc1kDnDMedteIV8kZ0EX7Ebtns37NoE4Zp1469GhhvQelFqM3LHnv0~iCrAUjxldjKRvnttc68Y6HlyI3GSJQqRMtvMCH3o8iUtfJcxYkz4rQe8yok3MwUopxZZD4RpTKB8RdcUV9IVcGgCyXK81SKXfDHMuEHP81ia4FeQLci1wWSjAu-FzVLWKq-JMcqnp2nzlHJaJrH3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), introduced at a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum as Pamela Bridal, described a recently signed statewide transportation package and outlined Central Ohio highway work while warning of a future funding gap.

\"The governor just signed a beautiful $11,000,000,000 package for you to play with,\" the director said, noting ODOT must stretch resources to meet rising construction costs. She said $3.2 billion of that package is slated for the coming construction season across about 950 projects.

On I‑70 specifically, the director said there is $1,600,000,000 allocated for repairs and upgrades: \"That's 400,000,000 of it's already built. There's 600,000,000 that's under construction now, and there's another $650,000,000 that's planned in the future that's not funded.\" She said projects include a flyover bridge that is expected to open by year end and urban caps connecting High Street, Third Street and Fourth Street.

The director warned of a projected deficit in 2028 that could reduce the department's ability to fund future work. \"We see in 2028 there is going to be a deficit and that we will not have the necessary funding to meet the program,\" she said, adding that the department is exploring alternative funding and federal flexibility.

Panelists also discussed the Brent Spence Bridge corridor and other regional projects, including lane additions on 270 near Polaris and studies tied to Rickenbacker and U.S. 33. The director said ODOT is pursuing ways to extend pavement life, accelerate project delivery and seek more flexibility from the Federal Highway Administration to manage costs and delays.

She said ODOT is working with local governments through options like SIB (State Infrastructure Bank) loans and reserving about 10% of a budget allocation — roughly $900,000,000 — for local governments, which control 84% of roads and 67% of bridges.

Ending: The director urged continued interagency collaboration and new funding approaches to sustain state transportation needs amid rapid regional growth and construction inflation.","The director of the Ohio Department of Transportation said the state has a roughly $11 billion transportation package for upcoming work but warned of a projected funding shortfall in 2028 and outlined major Central Ohio projects including I‑70 investments and the Brent Spence corridor.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616418,"Columbus Regional Airport Authority says $2 billion terminal progressing; airport not configured to be a major airline hub",2236,245000,2481000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837&start=245&end=2481","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6616418/Ohio/Columbus-Regional-Airport-Authority-says-2-billion-terminal-progressing-airport-not-configured-to-be-a-major-airline-hub","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616418-d05bc67ecec4810d488ff9f506e66467/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150354&Signature=M18LFaozsJNjdT7MnPrabiBRIA82vgyHyCVxPv2JIm1q-sF4ukoJv3cxs6bBHsEaj~wjdMwp96C-2kwoBR6clYZJMekXUigvnJFo26FQW6vUQstrqqhDcTzcGaprvvhzVKZnoxfCj1MIZSSr4olzelGtjcKelk~MNcIF5~wM1baMo2aFx2xfl~3DA3k-pWItVNwFwDtvk9ruwfy8ihcp5J9VzMjsEH8VCbW3aMnre5w5mBJRFVciQenOWpu8ZkLaZoZTrZYX83Zo0M9J7jt8h6qdGYI8Xf0cbJJUi1BoBWXbqphV2mdkI6eb-sauL2s1nJz1QqeWYSPIiIlrh61ANA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joseph \"Joe\" Nardoni, president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, told a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum that work on a planned terminal has been years in the making and that the authority has increased its capital reserve for the project.

\"We went from having $15,000,000 saved for this terminal to nearly $250,000,000,\" Nardoni said, and that the authority engaged Gensler as architect on the terminal plan. He described the project as a roughly $2,000,000,000 investment and said the airport team and its board have been \"extraordinarily committed to delivering this terminal project.\"

Nardoni urged travelers to allow extra time as construction continues and said the authority is \"making significant progress.\" He also stressed the airport's independent governance structure, saying the Columbus Regional Airport Authority is nimble because its board of directors are the decision makers.

On the question of whether Columbus could become an airline hub, Nardoni said Columbus \"is not situated to be a hub\" in the way major hubs such as Detroit, Chicago O'Hare or LAX are. He characterized Columbus as a ‘‘medium hub’’ under Federal Aviation Administration categories and said while the airport is actively adding air service, the airlines decide hub status.

Nardoni also said the authority is pursuing federal support for an air mobility hub and is competing for federal funds; he described a $140,000,000 federal opportunity for an air mobility hub.

Ending: Nardoni described the terminal as part of a broader strategy to keep Columbus Airports competitive and to attract and retain a skilled workforce, while continuing to add service and pursue federal support for air mobility projects.","Columbus Regional Airport Authority president Joe Nardoni described progress on a planned $2 billion airport terminal and said the authority has saved funds for the project. Nardoni also told the forum that, while Columbus is adding routes, the airport is not positioned to be a major airline hub in the sense of O'Hare or LAX.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6616423,"Anduril plans 5 million sq. ft. Arsenal 1 campus in Central Ohio, aims for 4,000 employees",85,407000,492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837&start=407&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2853033-732933c552a14e4167f614246f596837/thumbnail_407000.jpg","/articles/6616423/Ohio/Anduril-plans-5-million-sq-ft-Arsenal-1-campus-in-Central-Ohio-aims-for-4000-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6616423-fb60fbefebb3ddf3a0f318873d2e10d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150354&Signature=VKwyvWRua5M1U3pSfVdD5L2jS6O6zH42VbB70a74jQloIfPJUoBQMKehPfskGlLwc1iv2vPwvzZo62hkkZWmbfqQW65NmRbzA6~x~UJmVZXrqDXBVOdWemSTQ9WszZPD9Ng8V7dxQirc3bibLXVLblX~hBxOPXqugYS2yg-Bob69yGDDRMsqaoj6dQ0dFCSlXEpx6p6aFVOsdf9nqNO5dvMBo73EUB7XbEYaJS3KhUylemaSjEhDqN-INPflGo~BbHHu1xRKwVp5DCaaeJ2qb8kWSTORGJfuJqOUgW~Erqk7DEypGNpEW6COSLQwNgzAh25AXEuWkewibvGudgSrzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connor Brogan, Arsenal 1 project leader with defense firm Anduril, told a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum that Arsenal 1 will be a multi-year build-out of roughly 5,000,000 square feet and is expected to employ about 4,000 people once fully staffed.

\"Before Arsenal 1 we had about a million square feet total globally. We had about 5,000 employees. Arsenal 1 is going to be 4,000 employees, 5,000,000 square feet,\" Brogan said during the panel. He said Anduril expects initial hires to begin this quarter, ramping from roughly 50–100 early hires to about 300 within a year and then continuing year-over-year growth toward the 4,000 figure.

Brogan and other panelists framed Arsenal 1 as a project that depends on local and state partnerships. Brogan said the company sought a location with direct flights to Los Angeles, a strong labor pool and cooperative local partners. He named Pickaway County and JobsOhio as collaborators and singled out local officials who helped with project diligence and negotiations.

\"The growth that we're anticipating here is really going to come from partnership in the community, ODOT, working with Pickaway County, working with JobsOhio crew,\" Brogan said.

Panelists said Anduril will begin hiring immediately and will require a broad set of infrastructure investments, including new or improved road intersections near project sites. Pamela Bridal, introduced in the forum as director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, said ODOT plans a study of an intersection at U.S. 23 and County Road 752 because of growth tied to the Arsenal project.

Brogan described Anduril’s recruiting strategy as mission-driven, arguing that the company attracts engineers and product teams by offering work on national-security technology and by investing in internal training. \"We want the best and brightest, but we also want to train people up and we want to give them a home that they're proud of to work at,\" he said.

Panelists emphasized the need for ongoing community engagement and transparency as Anduril expands. Brogan said the company would share its plans and be candid about roadblocks so that public and private partners could respond. He also highlighted the scale of the project as requiring sustained workforce and transport planning for surrounding communities.

The panel did not provide a final campus timeline or a detailed breakdown of capital investments beyond the square-footage and hiring projections Brogan gave. Brogan and other panelists said additional infrastructure and funding work will be undertaken with state and local agencies as the project advances.

Ending: Brogan and other panelists described Arsenal 1 as the start of a decade-long local transformation that will depend heavily on state and county coordination, workforce training and infrastructure improvements.","Defense contractor Anduril told a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum that its Arsenal 1 project will eventually occupy about 5 million square feet and hire roughly 4,000 workers over the next decade, and company leaders said they are coordinating with state and local partners on infrastructure and workforce needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panelists urge workforce training and diversity goals as Central Ohio construction booms

ODOT director warns of 2028 budget gap as state rolls out $11 billion transportation package

Columbus Regional Airport Authority says $2 billion terminal progressing; airport not configured to be a major airline hub

Anduril plans 5 million sq. ft. Arsenal 1 campus in Central Ohio, aims for 4,000 employees