Mike Wolanin | The Republic Phil Wagner, president of the Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation, thanks guests for attending the Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Phil Wagner, president of the Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation, thanks guests for attending the Greater Columbus Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s annual meeting at The Commons in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
The Greater Columbus Economic Development Corp. (EDC) celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2026 Annual Meeting at The Commons with a look back at economic development in Columbus over the years.

The event served as an introduction to the community of Phil Wagner, the new EDC president, and included a tribute to former EDC director Jason Hester, who resigned in 2025 to become chief economic development officer with the Indy Chamber after 15 years with the Greater Columbus EDC. Hester now leads the Indy Partnership— a regional economic organization focused on attracting business within its 10-county region, including Bartholomew County.

During the panel presentation, with questions from Wagner, former Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong described the EDC’s 50 year history as this: “It’s about people. This community works together – collaboration – that’s what it’s been throughout the whole process.”

Collaboration and diversity were mentioned repeatedly through the panel discussion as the two main themes that have led to the continued success of the Greater Columbus EDC over the years.

From the wide range of board chairs to mayors and the individuals who make up the companies and businesses – 50 years worth of combined effort is what made Columbus the hub it is today, the panelists said.

Even for people new to Columbus including Phil Wagner, the new Greater Columbus EDC president who moved to Indiana from Texas in January, the shared work ethic from the people of Columbus is obvious.

“Economic development is at its best when we function as a team,” Wagner said. “And judging by the way so many of you in this room serve across multiple capacities for nonprofits and civic organizations, it’s clear that collaboration isn’t something you talk about, but something you live everyday.”

Former EDC Board Chair and current board chair of Force Construction, Harold Force echoed the sentiment. He said that the people of Columbus’ ability to work together in the Columbus way is this area’s strength.

“No one in this community has been caught in government crossfire between agencies or county or city, and that’s because things are thought through and there’s respect on all sides,” Force said. “You don’t find that everywhere, but it’s part of the Columbus way.”

A nod to diversity

Next to the collaboration within the people of Columbus comes the collaboration with companies overseas. A major part of Columbus’ success in economic development over the years has come from partnering with international companies. Columbus would not be the same city without these foreign investments, panelists said.

“(These companies) have brought not only jobs, but they have brought their interest to Columbus,” Armstrong said.

To really describe how he’s witnessed the diversity bloom in Columbus over the years, Armstrong told a story about his granddaughter coming home from preschool excitedly talking about seeing people who look and sound different from her.

“It’s so fantastic to live in a community like this where we can bring people in and we all work together,” Armstrong said. “It’s just great what these businesses from overseas have brought to this community.”

Force agreed and discussed the importance of Enkei’s move to Columbus.

“And Enkei’s development was a huge win for the Columbus Economic Board and for the community. It was proof to the companies who came afterwards looking for a site, looking for a community.”

Enkei, alongside Toyota Industrial Equipment, are just two examples of Japanese companies here in Columbus.

Julie Del Genio, 2016-17 EDC board chair, said that the collaborative effort between businesses and the rest of the community is appealing to the foreign companies who might want to invest in Columbus.When the Enkei team decided on coming to Columbus, they said it seemed like a friendly place for people from Japan to live.

The EDC’s commitment to pouring back into the community via child care, education, housing and diversity help bring in new workers and retain current employees, panelists said.

“We work together and that’s what makes us strong,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong said that another major part of the EDC’s continued success is the effort put into maintaining the relationships with companies that come to Columbus. He specifically noted that city leaders would travel overseas and meet face-to-face rather than communicate online to forge a more personal connection. Those relationships led to retention and expansion of businesses in Columbus.

“We want to be personal with our customers. We want to make sure that they get whatever they need as quickly as we can get it done,” Armstrong said. “And that’s why I think they continue to invest in Columbus, Indiana.”

Force ended the annual meeting by reminding everyone that while 50 years have passed, the EDC is still working hard everyday to keep Columbus continuing forward.

“This is an exciting program today, but it’s not just retrospective. I think it should give a prospective view of how important this organization has been and I think the best is yet to come.”
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