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- Silicon, Cookies, and Disco, in the Heartland
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"Silicon Heartland, or Just Heartburn?"
From Cornfields to Code: Central Ohio’s Tech Takeover
First, it was farmland, then it was malls, and now it’s the latest stop on tech’s Manifest Destiny. Welcome to the “Silicon Heartland,” where billion dollar deals and tech buzzwords roll in faster than Ohio weather changes. But are we witnessing a tech renaissance or just a lot of cloud (computing) cover?
With last week's letter talking about Columbus’s new drone factory “Aresnal-1” We thought it would be good to dive into some of the reasons we are becoming such a digitally driven Economy so here’s a breakdown of how Central Ohio became the stage for this digital gold rush, and the growing pains that come with it.
So Much Data
Data Centers: The New Crop in Ohio Fields
What’s a data center? Imagine a giant box filled with servers and cooling systems that power everything from TikTok dances to your midnight Amazon shopping sprees. And Ohio has become a favorite field for these internet warehouses:
Cologix is dropping $7 billion on an AI-ready data campus in Johnstown. Eight centers on 154 acres, starting in 2025. Think of it as a digital metropolis hidden in plain sight.
Amazon is rolling out a $2 billion data center in Sunbury. Fifty jobs might not seem like much, but it’s part of the retail titan’s $10 billion Ohio empire.
Google, Microsoft, and DBT Data are adding their own billion-dollar contributions to the growing tech sprawl, with projects in New Albany, Licking County, and beyond.
So why Ohio? Tax incentives, cheap land, and a prime location within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population make the Buckeye State a tech dreamscape. the Buckeye state has more data centers than it's neighboring states Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana combined.
Intel: The Core of Silicon Heartland
Intel’s $28 billion semiconductor facility in New Albany is the poster child for Ohio’s tech revolution. After months of delays and political hand-wringing, the CHIPS Act finally unlocked $1.5 billion to get things moving.
The company’s Ohio One plant will now operate as a standalone subsidiary to restore investor confidence and calm a rocky financial landscape. The first chip-making fab is expected to be operational by the end of the decade, though recent layoffs and stock struggles suggest Intel might have to hit a few speed bumps on the road to silicon glory.
Why Columbus?
It’s not just luck that’s landing these tech giants here. Columbus has a lot going for it:
Location Perks: Within a day’s drive of nearly half the U.S. population, it’s a logistical jackpot.
Tax Breaks Galore: Ohio is a master at corporate courtship, offering performance-based grants and juicy tax credits.
Talent Pipeline: The city’s 50+ colleges, including The Ohio State University, produce a steady stream of educated workers to feed the tech machine.
The Talent Tug-of-War
While we may be attracting companies, and have talent coming from the 2024 National Championship winning, Buckeyes, the competition is tough for workers is tough. Cities like Austin and Raleigh have set the standard for startup-friendly vibes and tech magnetism, leaving Columbus scrambling to keep up.
Ohio’s Third Frontier Program has thrown $110 million into venture capital funds for startups, and innovation hubs are sprouting statewide with a $125 million investment in Akron, Dayton, and Toledo. But tech workers aren’t just looking for jobs—they want vibrant communities where they can thrive. Building that “tribe” might be the toughest challenge yet.
Get it?
Progress or Growing Pains?
These billion-dollar projects promise tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, but they’re not without drawbacks:
Delays: Intel’s chip plant has been slow to get rolling, testing patience and nerves alike.
Environmental Concerns: Data centers require enormous energy and resources, raising sustainability questions.
Taxpayer Costs: Those juicy incentives come from somewhere—usually public funds.
A Tech-Powered Future or a Temporary Boom?
Central Ohio’s tech takeover is undeniable, but will it lead to long-term prosperity or a boom-and-bust cycle? As the "Silicon Heartland" narrative unfolds, one thing’s clear: Columbus is no longer a flyover city, it’s a landing zone for the future.
So, the next time you upload a TikTok or stream a show, remember: it might just be powered by a server in your own backyard. Let’s hope all these investments deliver more than just a faster internet connection.
Scarlet Letter Trivia
Question: How many bakeries are responsible for producing all the Girl Scout cookies in the United States?
A) 20
B) 1
C) 8
D) 2
Cookies, Courage, and Camp Ken-Jockety
Thin Mints and Samoas might open doors, but the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland are busy building bridges, breaking barriers, and shaping futures. Welcome to a world where cookies are just the beginning.
We all know the iconic sight of Girl Scouts selling cookies. But did you know these pint-sized CEOs are gaining real-world business skills like marketing, budgeting, and negotiation while they’re at it? Yes, the cookies are delicious, but the real treat is watching a Girl Scout pitch them like a Fortune 500 CEO in the making. The proceeds? They fuel projects that range from funding troop adventures to tackling serious community issues.
Camp Ken-Jockety: Where Leadership Meets STEM
Enter Camp Ken-Jockety, a reimagined 220-acre training ground for the leaders of tomorrow. At its heart lies the Battelle Science and Innovation Campus, home to the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center and Nationwide Foundation Environmental Center. This isn’t just about s’mores by the campfire. It’s about coding, chemistry, and courage—skills that set girls on a path to reshape the future.
Imagine a 12-year-old designing a solar-powered water filter or programming a robot to navigate an obstacle course. These aren’t just dreams, they’re Tuesday afternoons at the STEM Center. Programs like these are closing the gender gap in STEM fields and preparing girls for in-demand careers.
Community Impact: Building a Better World
But the Girl Scouts’ influence doesn’t stop at their badges. Through service projects, these young changemakers are collecting items for the underprivileged, planting community gardens, and educating peers on everything from mental health to environmental sustainability. Last year, a troop in Columbus built a community garden that now feeds 20 families, a small idea with a big impact.
And let’s not forget: these girls are just getting started. Whether it’s a six-year-old organizing a coat drive or a 16-year-old advocating for clean water, Girl Scouts are proving that age is just a number when it comes to making a difference.
Click this pic for Cookies!
Cookies with a Side of Confidence
For more than a century, Girl Scouts have empowered girls to take the lead, whether it’s pitching a cookie sale or launching a community initiative. And now, with programs like the Dream Big Initiative, the organization is amplifying its mission, giving girls the tools to lead not just their troops, but their futures.
So, when you open a box of Thin Mints, remember: you're not just savoring cookies—you’re supporting a future scientist, entrepreneur, or community leader. And that’s the sweetest deal of all.
It's Girl Scout Cookie Season!! NOW through March 16, Girl Scouts are participating in the largest girl-led program in the world and building entrepreneurial skills. Click here to order some cookies
Break out the sequins and platform shoes—Downtown Disco is back, and it’s bigger than ever! Since its debut in 2022, this iconic Columbus event has sold out for three consecutive years, drawing 950 groovy guests each time. The 2025 Downtown Disco at The Bluestone promises another unforgettable night of glitter, dancing, and all-around good vibes.
Event founder Chuck Mulé captures the magic:
"It’s a multi-generational bash where everyone—from college students to baby boomers—dresses to impress and recreates the disco era. The energy is unmatched, and the dance floor is pure joy."
Disco is more than a genre—it’s a vibe. It’s inclusivity, self-expression, and unapologetic fun. And for one night only, Downtown Disco brings it all to Columbus, uniting a diverse crowd to party like it’s 1975.
Trivia Answer:
D) 2 ABC Bakers, located in North Sioux City, South Dakota, and Little Brownie Bakers, located in Louisville, Kentucky. Just 2 bakeries making all them cookies…Crazy
Ciao!
