[{"_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",6655134,"mediaKeyId","5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3","parentId",5419567,"title","Council, nonprofit leaders outline Career 500 and wraparound supports to link residents to jobs","audioSeconds",143,"startMs",1692000,"endMs",1835000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3&start=1692&end=1835","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3/thumbnail_1692000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655134/Ohio/Council-nonprofit-leaders-outline-Career-500-and-wraparound-supports-to-link-residents-to-jobs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655134-8d60eed0fcc569a24f75eb40274a1e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533283&Signature=NyLcWznC8Dbm20qgFcJNxyTmdbFq31AQoz4swEQwlrTA1yZGIaes8OdNohX2A8uW6JtJbAe5dDm~hFY~f5HdiHJP~JLTzJiry7u78XDZtrBfs0zKkMQEcT05dL2P5JRdKCxh78Q6d~wB88bq-GH4bFZfgvgYxXxmEsolLidSdQUr-roOO104fow4Bck4E15JFjW10R4kp6phTRkPBYDfxjf8pZhWZ50-8a5F87gygZbMAc1R2YLOuQXivwM0mDvgLV9H3i9E1rZPdG~ZZyjDwU8ACT5nHAPxMJUg~97PX33jFJ5Uqwc4RkF9OihSj2MLiLwWsMo7HtzmkoNatrMvbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbus","date","2025-07-17T08:02:28.73Z","article","Rob Dorns, Columbus City Council President Pro Tem, and partners described a multi-pronged workforce approach that combines targeted training, employer partnerships and supportive services.

\"We're trying to take 500 workers over the next 2 years and significantly improve their economic outcomes in which we're seeing double digit, wage increases,\" Dorns said, describing Career 500, a city council-partnered program. He said Ohio State University will evaluate the program during its operation to identify which interventions most effectively help workers gain and keep higher-paying jobs.

Why it matters: Panelists said Columbus is creating thousands of jobs annually but faces a skills mismatch and needs to invest in training pipelines that align with employers and provide childcare, transportation and other supports so workers can remain employed.

Panelists noted the region has been adding roughly 15,000 net jobs per year and flagged the local prevalence of \"ALICE\" households (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed). Michael Wilkos said a significant share of workers remain near the cost-of-living threshold: \"We have 41% of us that hold a college degree ... and yet 38% of our population in this region struggles,\" he said, calling for programs that not only place people into work but help them keep it through wraparound services.

Speakers emphasized aligning workforce funds with industry needs rather than repeatedly pursuing single large employers. They urged durable, multi-employer career pipelines so training transfers across opportunities.

No policy actions occurred during the panel.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbus Metropolitan Club: Three Million People, One City’s Future","oneSentenceSummary","Panelists described Career 500, a partnership to advance workers' wages, and emphasized the need for wraparound services and employer-aligned training to retain workers in new jobs.","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},6655139,"Panelists say zoning reform and $500 million housing bond must align to meet Columbus growth",148,2200000,2348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3&start=2200&end=2348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6655139/Ohio/Panelists-say-zoning-reform-and-500-million-housing-bond-must-align-to-meet-Columbus-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655139-c34a16f75c7ce320d1ce30c70bf9b94c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533283&Signature=Gko5Q~YrXzBKp2eOUhLeKRWWQlcXAEZ1nGlvaIC7WbpScQQ2JUBbGK~blEs5BQYgoAG9FCeh9cx~2XxHRQT-CK6K2CfEw0k0e6gQlc06zc5C9ynpozDizE9IEG3~giZt2TUYdAElgbd41r0bVsg2h2mR1dTYFkZ24kJ5xaLgc3qUnlP22mBIAm42iaiKlhA0ehhIfmfLreU-AmHEs1K3pAyNsuxnLTUAfsiOlCM0OH1U3OOk74dCf2tQw3yuHzCpcaQesIb~we7dVPV9~HMqaneYBpR3mpB-YLl3VLn-p4MvaSB~9b91W8866ILcN2xvFc76h9iULX0a0V2Jfb2dPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbus City Council President Shannon Harden and other panelists said the city must combine zoning changes, bond financing and regulatory reforms to expand housing supply as the region grows.

\"We have a job to do when it went on the government side of reducing red tape and regulatory burdens and actually bringing investment,\" Harden said while discussing zoning modernization and an affordable housing bond proposed for the ballot. \"We have a tremendous amount of, really engaged folks across this community right now that are intensely focused on this topic.\"

Why it matters: Panelists said a mismatch between job creation and housing production will push prices up and could concentrate poverty in neighborhoods that lack capacity for more low-income residents. They recommended accelerating zoning reforms and using local funds to leverage state, federal and private investment.

Harden described the zoning modernization effort (referred to as \"zone in\") as touching nearly half the city in its second phase. She also noted a $500,000,000 affordable-housing bond package planned for a fall ballot and said accessory-dwelling-unit reforms and reductions in red tape are being pursued to increase the range of housing types. \"We've got more people right now in this space thinking thoughtfully around how do you leverage both local state and federal investment and also private investment in creating this housing,\" she said.

United Way's Michael Wilkos emphasized the scale of the task for lower-income households, citing a local affordability threshold and distributional effects: \"If you are a 2 parent household with 2 children, the federal poverty rate is $30,000 for that family of 4. If you wanna make it in Franklin County, ... you need to make $45 an hour or $90,000 a year,\" he said, arguing that many existing jobs do not pay at those levels and that the region needs housing accessible to working families.

Preservation advocates in the audience asked how historic preservation fits with aggressive housing production. Panelists acknowledged inconsistent preservation protections across neighborhoods and said the city needs clearer guardrails to balance preservation and new housing.

No formal votes or city actions were taken during the panel; speakers urged coordinated policy action by council, county and private partners.","Speakers urged pairing zoning modernization with a proposed $500 million affordable housing bond and other investments to create more housing across the city and region.",{"_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},6655143,"COTA updates LinkUs rollout: more service, BRT corridors and sidewalk expansion announced",307,1286000,1593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3&start=1286&end=1593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3/thumbnail_1286000.jpg","/articles/6655143/Ohio/COTA-updates-LinkUs-rollout-more-service-BRT-corridors-and-sidewalk-expansion-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655143-d491ecd90c74869e017526c0349b58d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533283&Signature=fG0uZHqQsG7QuA0~DHKbEf4Mu7oYR1TITxlWZuigrImY2FS1f8kxF7rXZlfRo07U3KjmhvjWQxo6j8AFFUfRLBQobhkPvu7ejEv20mL9n1BdIdcyShSRe7MHthKjt163KmAFZXEMA~E5fICNZTVNL1SpLK6i3IZsOLsy6BJcy500dB6Ys5lqmdSarRjg1xwZfGJyOUF5LVc35eiJmcOncK~wmJUTP5VilPxZ~zRrS4XwH5Tck2-t27E0BmR0ssztvfnvNQdSTZN7f-5YKm71Aelwmdp1ATQRHffS8pqqYxtH5KL577A3tNbeE5RGMk8dQj3NLePBP8aiO~05tz425g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monica Telles Fowler, chief executive of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), gave an operational update on LinkUs and described steps the agency has taken since voters approved a sales-tax-funded transit plan.

\"We are talking about 45% more service,\" Fowler said, describing LinkUs's core goals of more frequent service, expanded hours and dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors. \"As an update, we extended our service to midnight lineup. That means our service ends about 01:30, 02:00 in the morning now.\"

Why it matters: Speakers said increased frequency, longer hours and dedicated BRT lanes will expand access to jobs and lower transportation costs for households, and that successful implementation depends on workforce capacity and parallel investments in sidewalks and bike infrastructure.

Fowler provided program milestones and service metrics: 90% design on the West Broad corridor, 60% on East Main, and about 30% on the Northwest corridor; year-over-year ridership increases (noted as 17% month-over-month in May after the service-hour extension and about 8.5% year-to-date from 2024 to 2025); and plans for minimally five BRT corridors with dedicated guideways. \"BRT stands for Bus Rapid Transit,\" Fowler said. \"It's light rail on wheels. We have dedicated guideways, platform level boarding ... All fare payment happens off board.\"

Fowler also highlighted non-vehicle investments tied to LinkUs: \"more sidewalks, it's 500 plus miles of new sidewalks, protected bike paths, and trails,\" she said, connecting pedestrian and bicycle access to effective transit use.

Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorns and other panelists credited COTA with workforce and labor steps needed to expand service. Dorns noted a renewed focus on making COTA an \"employer of choice\" to ensure there are enough drivers and maintenance staff to operate increased service.

No formal decisions were made at the panel; panelists said LinkUs implementation will require continued public engagement and alignment across jurisdictions.","COTA said it has increased late-night service, reported ridership gains and provided design milestones for the first three Bus Rapid Transit corridors under the LinkUs plan.",{"_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},6655148,"Panel: Central Ohio growth has shifted toward international arrivals; leaders warn of housing strain",1818,362000,2180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3&start=362&end=2180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419567-ddc7c6d46f688c66d81fff3557f084b3/thumbnail_362000.jpg","/articles/6655148/Ohio/Panel-Central-Ohio-growth-has-shifted-toward-international-arrivals-leaders-warn-of-housing-strain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655148-4b7465497ba82f6d86af1868e0d54202/orig.mp4?Expires=1770533283&Signature=IQ-oIxt8XdVluHhe8dSXzb~zYFcx6JrY7wTQD~-aT8lyUSzoXj818F75k~955rV-zJapUfu~LKiWfAZBLWCGkYenvhkOmKJ1x7n0zZhtv323UvZfTw~wUHxUH6PUz3urhPF5L6Jr4iQiR93mS8UaYLLz8n7vYv-Mr1q2wdCYAMSv17YAG8fCtuKU27i3PEaqms5H~EbWq~znrf8H8INsw4N6R~3-lSvyVWk0HFoXRW42vNYkvytVU4lWzD7za0-NQ5Rd6eR1pnXfv8zqVdzksm0zCEgKoQ5bSzRjAUNLp79nTk4Jdn-44gF19Sk6B-yR4d2OyxZj32GJw1zBkyDH6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Wilkos, United Way's community speaker, told a Columbus Metro Club audience that population growth in Central Ohio has a new makeup and urgent implications.

\"Between 2010 and 2024, we have added 323,000 people, while the rest of the state has added just 20,000,\" Wilkos said, adding that the region averaged about 16,000 new residents a year during the decade. \"We are now 71% of our growth is the arrival of people from other countries.\"

Why it matters: Panelists said the shift toward international immigration affects housing demand, workforce availability and where new housing will need to be built. Without coordinated planning, they warned, growth could outpace housing supply and push low- and moderate-income households out of many neighborhoods.

At the panel, moderated by Jordan Layard and introduced by Columbus City Council President Shannon Harden, Wilkos reviewed recent demographic patterns and raised a caution about future economic dependence on immigration. \"My concern for the economy and our ability to not just produce jobs, but fill them, is what if that flow of people to Central Ohio stops or reverses itself,\" he said.

Wilkos and other speakers pointed to specific figures: Franklin County added 17,400 people in a single recent year and, over the 2010\u00121024 span, roughly half of growth reflected births outnumbering deaths while 26% came from international arrivals in that earlier decade. The panel also noted the region has lost American-born residents recently: \"We are now a metropolitan region that is losing American born residents for the first time in history. We've actually lost 3,000 American born residents,\" Wilkos said.

Panelists emphasized the geographic distribution of future population increases. Wilkos said growth has been moving inward toward job centers and some inner-ring suburbs such as Whitehall and Northland, rather than solely onto the urban fringe. He warned that large numbers of lower-income residents arriving with continued growth would strain neighborhoods not prepared to absorb them.

Panelists framed the demographic shift as a planning problem that interacts with housing, transportation and workforce policy. \"Growth comes with a soft white underbelly, and that is not enough people in this region are able to take access to that growth and prosperity,\" Wilkos said. Council President Shannon Harden and others said the region must coordinate housing, transit and workforce investments to ensure broad participation in economic gains.

The panel included discussion of specific programs and tools elsewhere on the agenda (transit modernization, zoning reform and an affordable housing bond), which speakers said must align with changing demographics to keep the region economically resilient.

Looking ahead, speakers urged continued monitoring of migration trends and cross-jurisdictional planning to match housing, jobs and transit. No formal vote or policy decision was made at the event.","Speakers at a Columbus Metro Club panel said most recent population growth in Central Ohio comes from international arrivals and urged planning now to avoid housing and workforce shortfalls as the region grows.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council, nonprofit leaders outline Career 500 and wraparound supports to link residents to jobs

Panelists say zoning reform and $500 million housing bond must align to meet Columbus growth

COTA updates LinkUs rollout: more service, BRT corridors and sidewalk expansion announced

Panel: Central Ohio growth has shifted toward international arrivals; leaders warn of housing strain