Recycling Means Business in Central Ohio

The Columbus Region is already home to nearly 400 recycling-reliant businesses employing 5,000 people and generating $1 billion in annual revenues. SWACO is pursuing the development of 350 acres of land into a Green Economy Business Park to attract even more green businesses, jobs and revenue to Central Ohio.  

Based upon models around the country and the economic momentum behind recycled materials, the site could create 2,000 to 3,500 manufacturing jobs at good wages, producing between $1.6 million and $4.2 million in local tax revenues and between $350 million and $500 million in capital investment. The Green Economy Business Park will use research, technology and advanced manufacturing to bring together the sustainable materials management supply chain creating a sustainability destination for businesses and workforce alike.  

With more recyclable material available and more companies making higher valued products out of that material, there is a rapidly emerging opportunity to protect the environment in a way that also grows our economy. For example, Hilliard-based Advanced Drainage Systems, which recycles more plastic than all but one other U.S. company, is also one of the Columbus Region’s top employers.  

The greenfield property, owned by SWACO, is located in Grove City across from the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, a half-mile from I-71 and just minutes from downtown Columbus. The site has existing gas, power, water, sewer and fiber utilities.  The site is currently zoned for industrial use, however, SWACO is seeking a zoning modification that would allow for more modern use of the site and which is aligned with SWACO’s goal to leverage the waste stream for greater economic opportunity.  

If approved through Grove City’s rezoning process, the Green Economy Business Park will position the Region as an economic leader in this emerging market for recyclables and sustainable manufacturing. A decision on the rezoning application is expected in December 2021.

Leveraging the Waste Stream for Greater Economic Opportunity

The Green Economy Business Park is one of several economic activities underway by SWACO. In addition, the Authority is working with Rev1 and has formed public-private partnerships to turn gas from landfills it owns into renewable energy sources for Central Ohioans. Read more about how SWACO is leveraging the waste stream for greater economic opportunity here. 

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