JOB CREATION, STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
& FISCAL SECURITY
Franklin County is committed to building a strong, growing economy that benefits all residents. The Board of Commissioners recognizes that true economic success goes beyond job creation alone — it requires a coordinated approach that connects people to opportunity through workforce development, access to education, affordable housing, and support for local businesses. By investing in these areas together, the County is creating pathways for residents to secure stable, higher-paying jobs, build stronger financial futures, and fully participate in the region’s growth.
Strategic economic development helps grow the local tax base, attract private investment, and reduce long-term reliance on public resources — allowing the County to reinvest in essential services and infrastructure while maintaining fiscal stability. By aligning economic growth with community needs, Franklin County is fostering a more resilient economy where prosperity is shared and families are better positioned to thrive.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING (EDP)
Franklin County Economic Development and Planning (EDP) helps guide the County’s growth in ways that support both the economy and the community. The agency manages key functions such as zoning, land use planning, and building services, while overseeing funding and programs that support business development, housing, and job opportunities.
EDP focuses on ensuring that growth benefits residents — supporting entrepreneurs, expanding access to higher-paying jobs, and aligning development with community needs. By bringing together planning, investment, and partnerships, EDP helps create opportunity, remove barriers, and strengthen the local economy for the long term.
Greater economic development is the best opportunity we have to build the strength our communities need to achieve a better quality of life and overall wellbeing. Our goal is to do economic development WITH community, not TO community, through proactive engagement, innovation, and access.”
-Ruchelle Pride, Chief of Economic Development and Planning
$6.19m
In Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding managed
$1.3m
In HOME and HOME-ARP funds supporting housing and rental assistance
$7.4m+
Programmed in recent funding to support community development initiatives
677
Planning applications processed in 2025
483
Zoning requests executed
2,322
Residential building permits issued
The Magnet Fund
Access to affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges for families in Franklin County. In response, the Board of Commissioners launched the Magnet Fund in 2019 to accelerate affordable housing development through a dedicated funding source tied to property sales. Since its launch, the Magnet Fund has driven meaningful impact across the county.
$20.9m
Invested across 20 projects since 2020
1,650
Affordable housing units created
$493m+
Leveraged in total development investment
Building on this momentum, the County has made additional targeted investments to preserve and expand housing opportunities — including a $5 million COVID-19 Recovery Grant to Nationwide Children’s Hospital to support housing stability in Linden, and a $1.35 million commitment to new affordable housing developments through community partnerships.
Experience Columbus — “Yes, Columbus” Campaign
Through its partnership with Experience Columbus, Franklin County supported the “Yes, Columbus” campaign — a regional initiative designed to increase visibility and position Central Ohio as a destination for business, tourism, and talent. The campaign helped elevate the region’s profile while supporting local economic activity.
Impact highlights:
200M+
impressions generated nationwide
Increased visibility for Central Ohio
Strengthened tourism and local business engagement
Local Food Action Plan
In 2025, Franklin County and its partners made significant progress building a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable local food system. Through collaboration across more than 30 organizations, efforts focused on expanding access to healthy food, supporting local farmers and food entrepreneurs, and responding quickly to community needs. When federal SNAP benefits were disrupted, partners mobilized rapidly to connect families with food resources, serving over 2,000 households through emergency response efforts.
FISCAL SECURITY
Franklin County’s economic strength is backed by decades of disciplined financial stewardship. The County maintains a double Triple-A bond rating from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings — a distinction held by only about 2% of counties nationwide and sustained for more than 30 years. This rating reflects strong financial management, stable revenues, and careful long-term planning. It also enables the County to borrow at lower interest rates, freeing resources to reinvest in the services and programs residents count on every day.
AAA/Aaa
Bond rating — maintained 30+ years (top 2% of counties nationwide)
$92m
Rainy-day fund maintained
$2b+
Annual operating budget
