Pickerington is one of the fastest growing communities in central Ohio, and City officials believe responsible growth management will be a beacon to attract more businesses and residents to the Violet City.
Last year, Columbus Business First named Pickerington the second fastest growing community in central Ohio, said Development Services Director Joseph Henderson.
By the end of November 2013, the City had already issued 582 residential and commercial building permits for an estimated $31 million in construction projects. Nearly 400 of the permits were for residential construction, and the remaining portion were commercial.
Those figures do not include the $46 million investment in Pickerington that OhioHealth has committed in Phase 1 of its medical complex building project, which is underway near the intersection of Refugee and Hill roads.
“Pickerington has so much to offer potential businesses and developers. We have a growing market that is well-positioned in central Ohio,” Henderson said. “We have a strong household income level and strong school district. When looking for a location to bring your business, you are looking for a place that is on the upswing, and I believe it is clear that Pickerington is truly one of those communities. The quality of life for our residents is second to none.”
The investment businesses and developers are making in Pickerington strengthens the City’s economy. New businesses help to grow the City’s tax base, and new residents assist existing taxpayers by sharing the cost of services needed to keep the community running efficiently.
One of the ways to measure business interest in a city is the occupancy rate of commercial real estate rentals.
Henderson said the shopping centers in Pickerington are at 87 percent occupancy, which is a higher percentage than most communities in Ohio have.
Even the new shopping center, located in Hunter’s Run, is expected to be fully leased by the time it opens.
“There are very few vacant building and tenant spaces. Restaurant spaces are extremely hard to come by and, for the most part, are filled within weeks of becoming vacant,” Henderson said.
Because Pickerington is a great place to work and live, Henderson expects the City to remain an even brighter beacon that continues to attract businesses and residents in 2014.
