Latest news with #Mid-OhioRegionalPlanningCommission
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As Columbus' economy booms, here's the biggest thing central Ohioans are worried about
As the Columbus region grows, a new survey shows one pressing concern remains on the minds of most central Ohioans —housing affordability. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which includes 15 Columbus area counties, surveyed residents on economic development and found that most are worried about home prices as the area continues to boom. At least 73% of residents surveyed said housing costs were too high, MORPC found. At the same time 31% said a lack of housing options locally was a major contributing factor. Read More: 'House hacking' is Gen Z's new approach to home buying: What is it? More than half of residents, or 51%, said that increasing affordable housing supply would be the most impactful economic development strategy, even more so than attracting businesses or providing businesses support, according to MORPC. 'As Central Ohio continues its rapid growth, we have a choice in how we shape our future,' MORPC Executive Director William Murdock said in a press release. 'Success won't be measured by growth alone, but by how well we expand opportunities for housing, transportation and economic prosperity." Among other topics included in the survey were questions about job opportunities, childcare and infrastructure. At 54%, more than half of those surveyed felt optimistic about central Ohio's job outlook. In 2022, semiconductor maker Intel announced it would open at least two factories in New Albany and just this year drone maker Anduril announced it would open a campus near Rickenbacker International Airport and bring 4,000 jobs to the region. Despite those developments, 36% of surveyed residents said they were concerned about a lack of high paying jobs and 26% thought there was an overall shortage of jobs in the region, according to MORPC. Childcare remains a chief barrier to central Ohio residents entering the workforce, with 27% of survey respondents ranking it as among their top three economic concerns. Of the surveyed residents with children, 20% said they had to sacrifice child care to afford housing, MORPC found. The survey also found residents strongly support infrastructure and utility upgrades, with 66% responding that they are needed to sustain the region's growth. But, just 42% said the support raising taxes to fund such efforts, according to MORPC. Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@ Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: In Columbus, home prices are still a big problem, central Ohioans say
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$52M in federal grants awarded for new Columbus-area bridges, paths and other projects
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has distributed more than $52 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects around central Ohio. Seven projects, from bus rapid transit to new bridges spanning interstate highways, were allotted federal transportation funding that is coordinated through MORPC. Five of the seven projects awarded funding are in Columbus. They include: ● $9,328,863 for the East Broad Capital Trail, a multi-use path ● $7,382,832 for intersection improvements at Trabue Road at Walcutt Road on the city's Far West Side ● $14,400,000 for bus rapid transit improvements on East Main Street on the city's East Side ● $4,730,373 for the Big Walnut Trail between Cherrybottom Park and Morse Road on the city's Northeast Side. ● $9,155,409 awarded to Franklin County for the second phase of East Cooke Road reconstruction east of Interstate 71 between Glenmawr Avenue and Karl Road on Columbus' North Side. The road is the border between the city's North Linden neighborhood on the south and the Maize-Morse and Clinton Estates neighborhods on the north side. The other two projects awarded new grants: Dublin: $4,500,000 for the Emerald Connector, a new bridge crossing Interstrate 270 Grove City: $2,625,000 for the Southwest Regional Medical and Innovation Gateway Overpass, a new bridge over Interstate 71 These projects were approved from approximately $160 million in grants requested from around the region. A MORPC committee selected the projects 'with the greatest regional impact for these limited resources,' Tom Graham, principal planner at MORPC, said n a press release. 'MORPC is working closely with Central Ohio communities to invest in critical infrastructure projects,' said Parag Agrawal, MORPC's chief mobility and development officer. 'The $52 million commitment will enhance the multimodal transportation network, promote walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and will enhance roadway safety.' Awinfrey@ This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus area gets $52M in new federal grants funding bridges, paths
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What last year's trends indicate about the 2025 central Ohio housing market
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission estimates nearly 1 million more people will move to central Ohio in the next 25 years, but resources show the housing market has slowed its pace. Now nearly two months into 2025, resources examining 2024 in its entirety are coming to light, including the Columbus Realtors' central Ohio housing market review. The review found a slight shift in the housing market, easing off the rapid pace of the pandemic to a more typical market pace. According to Columbus Realtors, homes spent longer on the market in 2024, with an average of 28 days. The organization noted this was a significant increase from the 24-day average in 2023. Both single-family homes and condos averaged 28 days. Columbus Realtors said this longer average indicates buyers had more time to browse and consider options. What to know for the 2025 Columbus Crew season The study also found average home sale prices rose, and Columbus Realtors said it is still a seller's market. The median home sale price rose 5.9% in 2024, hitting a median of $319,900 and an average sale price of $365,257. It was also the first year since 2021 that the number of closed sales increased from the year before, raising 4.2%. Although it is a seller's market, there are some findings that benefit buyers. New listings raise 7.9% in central Ohio, providing more options for those looking to buy. Buyers were also more likely to purchase at a fraction of the listing price, with homes selling on average at 98% of the asking price. Although this is still a large percent share, it is lower than it has been in the past five years. How much liquor Ohioans bought in 2024 and what brands were most popular The data also broke down trends among specific school districts. Nearly 10,000 closed sales occurred in Columbus, and 6,225 of them took place within the Columbus City School District. The next most common central Ohio district with closed sales was South-Western City Schools at 1,621. Olentangy, Hilliard and Westerville followed, with 1,330, 1,200 and 1,104 closed sales, respectively. The most expensive neighborhood to purchase a home in was, by far, New Albany. New Albany Corp. averaged $1,183,864 in sales prices for 2024, and the New Albany-Plain school district still surpassed others at $931,403. The next most expensive areas included Bexley ($688,783), German Village ($668,948), Upper Arlington ($658,487) and Dublin ($624,776). The least expensive neighborhood for home buyers was Washington Court House with an average home sale price of $185,996. Whitehall was the next least expensive with sales prices of $192,842, followed by Valleyview at $196,314. The next least expensive neighborhoods topped $200,000: Lancaster at $225,353 and Newark at $228,243. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
