DevelopOhio

While the total value of goods exported from the Columbus metropolitan area dropped slightly last year, a federal report shows central Ohio still moved up in the rankings to the 46th largest exporter in the country, The Columbus Dispatch reports. Last year, central Ohio exported $6.2 billion in goods, according to the report from the International Trade Administration, the Dispatch reports. Local economic development officials “want to see the Columbus metropolitan area rank 25th or better in the country by 2020,” as they see “increasing exports as a way to add jobs in the region.” Columbus 2020 research director Jung Kim said, “[w]e’re certainly doing our part to try and connect potential and existing exporters with export-related services.” Ben Ayers, senior economist at Nationwide, said increasing exports “can be instrumental in strengthening a local economy.” Columbus’s top exports include chemicals, transportation equipment, and computer and electronic products. For more, read the full article.