Columbus Business Opportunities Most People Never See

The Insider's Guide to The Greater Columbus Business Community

Author

Mike Marcellus
February 11, 2026

In partnership with

The Columbus Networker

👋 Good morning, Columbus! Welcome to The Columbus Networker, the local newsletter serving 18,857 professionals in the Columbus, OH business community.

In today’s issue:

👀 Why are some young adults are thinking about leaving Columbus?

👍 Ohio lawmakers propose study commission to address data center growth

📈 Columbus organizations looking to replace parking lot and driveway pavement, replacing or rehabilitating various HVAC equipment and systems, proposal for engineering, CmaR Services, and more

❤️ Columbus State gets $9.5 million approved for new hub for students in tech

📅 Register for Columbus business networking events

👨‍💻 And more …

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🍇 GRAPEVINE
Columbus Business Buzz

A look inside the Columbus business community.

  • Why are some young adults are thinking about leaving Columbus? (Read)

  • Ohio lawmakers propose study commission to address data center growth (Read)

  • Columbus airports see continued growth in passengers for 2025 (Read)

  • Polaris Saks Fifth Avenue closing amid company restructuring (Read)

  • City of Gahanna prepares to move facilities into new location this spring (Read)

  • What does the bankruptcy of Columbus-based Value City Furniture mean for retail's future? (Read)

  • Which Columbus businesses are against ICE enforcement actions? (Read)

  • Tips of fraud skyrocket in 2026 as concerns target publicly-funded Ohio daycares (Read)

  • Central Ohio roofs face ice dam challenges amid fluctuating temperatures (Read)

  • Franklin County Municipal Court warns of scam about unpaid parking tickets (Read)

📈 PIPELINE
Sales & Marketing

Sales leads and exclusive offers for Columbus businesses.

  • The City of Columbus (City), Department of Finance and Management (DofM) wishes to procure a Service Contract to replace parking lot and driveway pavement of all City Buildings (Link)

  • The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has a project to protect the asset value of District facilities by replacing or rehabilitating various HVAC equipment and systems (Link)

  • Proposal for Engineering -REF Condition and Process Assessment (Project 1730)(Alexis) at Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center (Link)

  • CmaR Services for Columbus Police Substation (Link)

❤️ BOOSTS
Resources & Support

Technology, funding, and connections that power growth in Columbus, OH.

  • Columbus State gets $9.5 million approved for new hub for students in tech (More)

  • Ohio Receives $14.7 Million to Strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (More)

  • Campaign to end Ohio property taxes brushes off funding concerns as DeWine warns of 20% sales tax (More)

  • Ohio awards $10 million in school bus safety grants (More)

  • ODNR Awards 6 Grants to Boost Local Economies (More)

  • Grant Opportunities at The Columbus Foundation (More)

  • Franklin County Grant Opportunities (More)

📅 EVENTS
Business & Networking

Where Dallas professionals go to learn, connect, and grow.

🤝 2/12 Beulah Park Chapter of AmSpirit Networking (Register)

🤝 2/12 Lewis Center Networking Lunch (Register)

🤝 2/12 Gold Star Business Networking (Register)

🤝 2/16 Networking Luncheon at North High (Register)

🤝 2/19 Business Education Series: The Top 5 Legal Mistakes Owners Make (Register)

🤝 2/25 Music and Business Networking | Elevating Your Potential - Columbus  (Register)

🤝 2/26 Local Marketing & Networking Night (Register)

🤝 3/16 CONNECTED Westerville Networking Luncheon (Register)

🤝 3/19 Reafco's 2026 Q1 Networking Event! (Register)

🤝 3/21 Speaking of History… Ohio Works: Innovation, Business and the Changing Labor Landscape (Register)


🤝= In Person, 💻 = Virtual

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