Latest news with #JohnGlennInternationalAirport
Business Journals
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Why Westerville: Future-ready, trusted partners
According to Costar, a commercial real estate database, nearly 90% of Westerville's 10.8 million square feet of non-residential space stands occupied as of June 2025. That figure indicates what Westerville businesses, from small merchants in Uptown to large publicly traded corporations in the Polaris-area Westar business district already know: Westerville continues to top the list of locations for businesses to grow and thrive. What makes Westerville a stand-out location in the Columbus region? Location, location, location Westerville's proximity to major highways and the John Glenn International Airport (CMH) offers seamless access to regional and national markets. It's also situated in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state, with access to talent in southern Delaware County and northern Franklin County. This combination of location advantages and a supportive business environment makes Westerville an ideal choice for companies looking to establish or expand their presence in central Ohio. World-class municipal utilities Westerville is the only community in the Columbus Region with three of its own public utilities: electric, water, and WeConnect — the nation's only municipally owned and operated and publicly accessible data center and fiber network. Local control over utilities equates to the highest standards of public service excellence and affordable rates. Shovel-ready sites in amenity-rich areas In Westar, the City of Westerville serves as the 'master developer' for sites and infrastructure. This model expedites the development process and gives companies the flexibility of choosing their own developer and contractor teams. Westar is also known for its proximity to amenities in a walkable, park-like setting, making Westerville an ideal place for talent attraction and retention. This list of qualities would appeal to any site selector. But there's always more to location decisions than just the bottom line. Sense of place Uptown Westerville is one of the best preserved and most authentic historic centers in Ohio. Uptown's blend of historic buildings, vibrant streetscape, wide range of shops, boutiques and restaurants as well as community events like Fourth Fridays make it a true gathering spot with a memorable sense of place. Designated a National Register Historic District in 2019, the City continues to place a high priority on promoting an 'Authentic and Alive Uptown.' In 2024, Uptown Westerville played host to more than 60 community events which welcomed approximately 160,000 in attendance and accounted for nearly a $4 million economic impact for local businesses. Westerville partnership Westerville is a place where innovation and tradition work hand-in-hand and where success is more than growth and a high occupancy rate. For Westerville, success is about being future-ready and trusted partners for our businesses. With the goal of advancing Westerville authentically and responsibly, the City takes a personalized and solutions-oriented approach to development, while leveraging a broad network of regional partners like the Westerville Area Chamber, Otterbein University, the Delaware County Finance Authority and many others. 'Westerville has thrived on creating a business ecosystem that fosters less competition and more collaboration,' said Mike Ashanin, chief operating officer for Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians, whose three-building headquarters and medical office campus is located in Westar. 'Their commitment to resources, amenities and a dedication to blending the old and the new together has resulted in a vibrant community that makes it a great place to work and stay.' expand The City of Westerville is in a prime location for businesses seeking a balance of suburban tranquility and urban access. Its proximity to major highways and airways facilitates seamless access to global markets and makes Westerville an ideal choice for companies looking to establish or expand in central Ohio. For more about Westerville's thriving business climate, visit Westerville is a full-service city of more than 40,000 residents and a leader in job creation. Known as a 'City within a Park,' Westerville boasts more than 41 parks and 51 miles of trails. The City operates its own electric and water utilities, data center, fire/EMS and police. Rachel Ray leads the City of Westerville's Economic Development division, administering the City's business retention, expansion and attraction programs and managing economic development and incentive projects. She also serves on the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE) board of trustees.
Axios
25-06-2025
- Axios
Robots made me Donatos pizza — and it tasted great
Donatos' new pizza-making robots have been turning heads, so I stopped by the airport to see the "sci-pie" in action. Dining the news: The fully autonomous restaurant is a first for the locally founded chain, cooking a 10-inch pizza in just over 10 minutes. It opened two weeks ago to national attention and the hype hasn't died down. I saw several travelers gawking and snapping videos. What they're saying: "A computer makes your pizza?" quipped one puzzled passerby. "Did you try the robot pizza?!" another asked me with an excited smile. How it works: Scan a QR code to place an order (currently just cheese or pepperoni). A robotic arm pulls pre-rolled dough out of a refrigerator and sends it through machinery to layer on sauce and toppings. It even shakes Parmesan on top before sending it through the oven on a conveyor belt. When it's done cooking, another robot places the pizza into a cutting machine, then slides it off the pan and into a cardboard box. You retrieve it inside a pickup area that's unlocked with a unique code. 💭 My thought bubble: To my surprise, the pizza was the perfect temperature. It tasted just as good, if not better, than ones I've picked up from local Donatos restaurants. Novelty aside, I'm just happy our airport finally has a filling late-night food option for us red eye travelers. Yes, but: A human employee still must occasionally stock and clean the robot restaurant, which can take a little while. Stop by: Open 24/7 at John Glenn International Airport, just before security in Concourse B.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
First Columbus Honor Flight of 2025 returns from Washington
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Honor Flight returned to John Glenn International Airport Thursday night after a busy day in Washington D.C. Honor Flight 139 was the first Honor Flight of the year; 67 veterans were on the flight, most of them Vietnam veterans while one World War II vet made the trip, too. Dozens of people gathered at John Glenn to welcome them all home with balloons and signs that read 'Welcome Home.' Many of those waiting said they were excited to see their loved ones and hear how their day went – there wasn't a dry eye in the room. 'I can't believe all these people put all this effort into this, thank you,' Army veteran Ken Creekbaum said. 'It should've been this way years ago when Vietnam people got home, it shouldn't have been anything different. It's unbelievable,' Navy veteran Scott Peecher said. 'I think all the men that were involved in this, we have a deep appreciation for, you know, for the duty that they have fulfilled,' Mary Alice McFarland, the wife of a veteran, said. A few different veterans said that the whole day was amazing, but their favorite part was seeing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Glenn offering direct flights to the west coast
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus travelers now have more options when it comes to faster and more convenient flights. American Airlines re-launched its nonstop flights to Los Angeles from John Glenn International Airport, the first time a major airline has flown this route out of Columbus since the COVID-19 pandemic. Visas, ETIAS, ETA: Update on international travel requirements According to representatives with John Glenn International Airport, LAX has been Columbus' largest underserved market and a top need of the business community. 'Columbus is one of our largest and most important communities, so we're proud to be here,' American Airlines Director of Domestic Network Planning Jordan Pack said. Travelers were quick to take advantage of the nonstop option. 'I don't want to have a whole day taken out of my life, so I saw this and I thought 'Oh wow, finally a nonstop flight,'' Lauren Bogorad, who was flying to Los Angeles, said. Dean Oblonsky was also on the flight. He said this speaks to the growth we're seeing in central Ohio and serves as a step forward for travel since the pandemic. 'During COVID, it was three stops, minimum two, so it just shaves hours out,' Oblonsky said. Father behind 'Lauren's Law' in Ohio sues care facility after eviction 'It's fantastic,' Roger Cooper, another LA traveler, said. 'It says a lot about where people are going to and coming from, and that will help the industry in Ohio because there's enough market to have a nonstop flight every day.' Pack said it's also important for the business and economic community of central Ohio and southern California, calling it a critical piece that was missing. 'The hour they announced this flight, I booked,' Oblonsky said. 'I'm so happy about it and it ups the game for travel out of Columbus in a big way.' Oblonsky, who works out of Palm Springs, travels to California about 12 times a month. 'The ease to get west and the two-hour drive beats whatever layovers there are, and to be able to do work direct in LA, too, for a lot of businesses here in Columbus,' Oblonsky said. Meantime, Kathy Simms lives in L.A. but has a son in Columbus. She's a frequent flyer. Marysville's LGBTQ-friendly Walking Distance Brewing permanently closes 'We used to fly three or four times a year out here to see him and then COVID hit and it all of a sudden put a little damper with the non-direct flights,' Simms said. Simms already has another direct flight back to Columbus booked for April. American Airlines representatives said Los Angeles joins a lineup of 11 other nonstop destinations offered at John Glenn International Airport. 'Not to have to worry about what happens to my luggage, and to get there a little more direct is absolutely so convenient,' Douglas Worthington, who was flying to Los Angeles, said. According to officials, these flights will be offered daily. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
