Columbus Countywide Development Corp. has recognized Central Ohio lenders and businesses for their contribution to small-business job creation and community development in 1999. Fifth Third Bank was named Bank of the Year for number of loans, volume of loans and job creation. Projects of the Year and their lenders and financing programs included Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Services and lender National City Bank, SBA 504; Coyne Printing Inc. and lender Park National Bank, Ohio 166; Technology Advantage Inc. and lender Huntington Bank, SBA Pre-Qualified Program; Pepperberry Cottage, Central Ohio MicroLoan Program; and X Design Inc. and lender Key Bank, Columbus Growth Fund. Damon’s and lender People’s Bank were named Enterprise Development Corporation Project of the Year, and the Economic Project of the Year was the Linden Medical Center, with lenders Key Bank and City of Columbus Department of Trade and Development.
Heartland Bank of Gahanna has received the inaugural Olive Award for Excellence and Innovation, co-sponsored by the Community Bankers Association of Ohio and Olive LLP, a financial services company in Cincinnati. This award recognizes high-performing Community Bankers Association of Ohio members who are ensuring a healthy future for their banks and their communities. Heartland Bank won for the significant role it plays in 4-H activities in its community and its innovative “Switch” program provided to help customers change banks.
Three local companies have received recognition on the Inc. 500, Inc. magazine’s list of America’s fastest growing private companies. Local recipients are No. 323 Quick Solutions Inc., a technology consulting company that has been on the list for the past three years; No. 338 Progressive Medical Inc., a national managed care provider; and No. 409 Photonic Integration Research Inc., a manufacturer of fiber optic components for telecommunication systems.
Athletic Business magazine has awarded Moody/Nolan Ltd. the 1999 Facility of Merit award for its design of the Jerome Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University.
Construction Management Association of America has named Gilbane Building Co. a recipient of two 1999 Project Achievement Awards for its work on the Hilltop Development Project in Columbus. These awards honor the company for excellence in management of the construction process.
EXXCEL Contract Management Inc., a Columbus-based general contracting construction firm, has been ranked No. 72 on the top 100 design-build firms list by Engineering News Record magazine. The listings were based on 1998 revenue from design-build contracts.
The board of trustees of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio has presented 1999 Business Integrity Awards to Campbell Builders Inc. in the small business category, HYTEK Material Handling Inc. in the medium size category, and Holt CAT/Holt Power Systems in the large business category. The awards recognize firms whose business practices and related activities in the community exemplify the BBB’s mission and principles.
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority has approved tax credits for business expansion projects in Ohio. Local projects include seven-year, 55 percent tax credits for three companies. The Scotts Co. in Marysville will expand production and create 30 new jobs; American Eagle Airlines Inc. will lease 63,800 square feet of space at Port Columbus for an aircraft maintenance and office support facility expected to create 57 new jobs; and AmeriLink Corp. in New Albany will construct new corporate headquarters, creating 65 new jobs. In addition, PETsMART Inc. will receive a 65 percent tax credit for eight years to construct a 600,000-square-foot distribution center in Columbus, creating 240 jobs. SubmitOrder.com Inc., located in Groveport, will receive a 65 percent tax credit for seven years to lease a 437,000-square-foot building and create 214 jobs.
The state Development Financing Advisory Council has approved a $142,800 loan for Cardinal Imaging Inc. to purchase machinery and equipment and a $350,000 loan for Action Group Inc. to acquire a 155,000-square-foot building, machinery and equipment.
Clary Communications Inc. and Mod Dog Internet Services have formed a strategic business partnership to develop business-focused Internet solutions for clients.
Executive Jet Inc. has opened the first phase of its new $25 million operational headquarters at Port Columbus International Airport. The new facility includes support space, office space and an operations center. “We are eager to remain at Port Columbus since this is where it all began,” says Richard Smith, executive vice president of the Executive Jet Columbus facility. Executive Jet is a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. company. Gilbane Building Co. is overseeing the construction of the new facility, which was designed by architects URS Greiner Woodward & Clyde.
