Indiana Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Columbus, Indiana

Population: 31,000

Located in Bartholomew County

Columbus, Indiana is a unique place. It contains works from some of the greatest architects in the world. It is a good example of how the quality of life can be improved by excellence in design. Columbus, Indiana is one of the few cities where the architecture can actually improve the human condition.  In fact, because of its architectural excellence and stewardship of its historical assets, the National Geographic Traveler ranked Columbus 11th of 109 historic destinations worldwide by National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations.  This ranking is higher than any other U.S. destination. The magazine called Columbus, Indiana a ³Jewel in the Region.²
 
Speaking of ranking, Columbus came in sixth in the U.S. for architectural
innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects.  These
accolades aren¹t without good reason with the city¹s impeccable art, lush
landscaping, a first-rate park system, and of course, the outstanding
architecture.
 
Columbus has a small-town setting with excellent schools, many churches, a
large number of businesses, and a plethora of cultural opportunities. In the
downtown area you will find The Commons Mall, an enclosed shopping mall and
community center. The mall has an indoor playground and many productions,
exhibitions and community activities. Plus, the construction of the new
Columbus Riverfront District will bring regional appeal by encouraging the
location and operation of a diverse mix of family- oriented restaurants in
the District.
 
Where business is concerned, Columbus was recognized as a U.S. export
powerhouse with a #2 ranking in exports as a percentage of local gross
product with a growth rate of 17.8 percent.  This city calls itself a front
door for entrepreneurs with remarkable business-to-business sponsorship
programs among small business owners and entrepreneurs.  In fact, Fortune
Small Business Magazine named Columbus as one of the Best Places to Live and
Launch a small business citing the Columbus Chamber¹s Columbus Enterprise
Development Corporation (CEDC) program as one of the significant reasons for
the designation.
 
One thing interesting to note is how closely the CEDC works to foster
interest in business with students as young as in high school.  Recently,
Columbus held its first-ever Maverick Challenge High School Business
Planning Competition. The contest dared 67 participating high school juniors
and seniors to create the most viable plan for a new Columbus business and
then awarded $5,000 to the winners to be used to launch their business. More
than 30 Chamber members served as mentors and expert resources for these
first-time business planners. The Challenge aligns nicely with today's
education emphasis toward hands-on, real-life learning that shows students
the relevance of school and it helps to demonstrate that entrepreneurship
truly is indeed a potential career path, especially here in Columbus.
 
Assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs is like watering a small
mustard seed, which will eventually grow into a mighty tree.  That may be
the case with these springing businesses in the year 2015, with help of
³Economic Opportunities 2015 (EcO15), an ambitious investment of $38 million
building upon Southeastern Indiana¹s economic growth areas, which include
advanced manufacturing, healthcare services, hospitality and tourism.  EcO15
is also investing $15 million in the Advanced Manufacturing Center of
Excellence (AMCE), a shared, state-of-the-art facility that builds
competitiveness for regional manufacturers. The building contains integrated
technology labs built around a curriculum of science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM). These labs are blended with education,
workforce, and business development programs that collaborate to deliver
hands-on, team-centered, project-based learning, and technical assistance to
regional companies. The Center will serve as the hub to a one-of-a-kind, ten
county network consisting of integrated technology labs within Southeastern
Indiana. World-renowned Architect Cesar Pelli was commissioned to design the
new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, a demonstration of the
city¹s commitment to the role the building will play in thousands of lives.
 
With the projected economy growth on an exponential level, Columbus has also
paved the way for an influx of new families coming to settle into the
region.  Currently, there are nearly 20,000 homes here, according to the
2000 U.S. Census. The mix of housing types and styles in Columbus is typical
to that of a mid-sized, Midwestern community. The median year of
construction for all housing in Columbus is 1968. Approximately 54 percent
of the local housing was constructed prior to 1970 and 11 percent was
constructed between 1995 and 2000.  Housing in Columbus is 65 percent
owner-occupied, with the median value for owner-occupied homes being
$111,900.
 
As the most affordable college in the state, Columbus¹ Ivy Tech Community
College makes the dream of a post-secondary education accessible and
affordable. With 23 campus throughout the state, including one in Columbus,
Ivy Tech is within a 30-minute drive of most Hoosier homes. The college¹s
legacy demonstrates its unmatched ability to change lives and change
Indiana. Ivy Tech is the largest post-secondary education provider in
Indiana, serving more than 100,000 students. The Columbus Region of Ivy Tech
serves more than 5,000 students.
 
Learning facilities in Columbus are state-of-the-art and provide a great
setting conducive to studying, such as the Columbus Learning Center, which
houses classrooms, laboratories, and support services for the more than
4,500 students of Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech
State College Columbus and Purdue University College of Technology Columbus.
The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Library serve the three
post-secondary institutions, as well as Bartholomew Consolidated School
Corporation, Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation and regional school
corporations. In addition, Columbus offices of WorkOne, including the
Indiana Department of Workforce Development, River Valley Resources,
Vocational Rehabilitation are located in the building. More than $3 million
in community funding provided support for expansion of degree and
certificate programs at the three post-secondary institutions. Naming
opportunities in the new building were available to contributing
individuals, organizations, companies and foundations.
 
Columbus also offers a variety of recreation. The city's parks total 537
acres and offer activities include swimming, ice skating, and hockey. Nearby
lakes and rivers provide water sports for all ages. Founded in 1947, the
City of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department provides the highest
quality park and recreation services for the citizens of Columbus.
Responsible for the maintenance and improvement of nearly 700 acres of park
land, the Department has completed more than $20 million in development
projects, including the nationally-recognized $8 million Mill Race Park. The
latest information about the programs and events being offered by the
Department are available at www.columbusparksandrec.com
<http://www.columbusparksandrec.com>