From $2B Water Infrastructure to 671-Acre Mega Sites: Columbus Positions for Next Wave of Corporate Expansion

Hey, it's Gagan. I'm still the only Gagan Timsina in the world (as far as I know).

I’m actually really really excited for this video, its almost an hour long and literally everything we know about living in Columbus. If you’re interested, or have time, defiantly give it a watch

In today's newsletter:

Columbus Water Infrastructure: $2B Home Road Water Plant launches with 48 million gallon daily capacity targeting Intel's 5 million gallon demand and regional data center expansion through 2031 completion.

Rickenbacker Mega Site Acquisition: Terry Coyne secures 671-acre development-ready site for $19.25M targeting "next Anduril" with completed rezoning and tax abatements through O.H.I.O Fund backing.

Amazon Web Services Campus Completion: $3.5B New Albany data center expansion completes five-building campus by December 2025 as part of $23B statewide investment commitment through 2030.

Regional Infrastructure Validation: Water plant investment demonstrates municipal confidence in sustained corporate demand while mega site positioning captures overflow from Anduril-level manufacturing expansion.

COLUMBUS LAUNCHES $2B WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WITH 48 MILLION GALLON CAPACITY TARGETING INTEL AND DATA CENTER EXPANSION.

Columbus accelerates $1.6B Home Road Water Plant construction with additional $400M transmission infrastructure serving 1.2 million customers while specifically addressing Intel's 5 million gallon daily demand and expanding data center sector consumption, with late 2031 operational timeline and Ohio EPA funding commitment demonstrating municipal infrastructure investment confidence. [Columbus Dispatch]

Key Highlights:

• $1.6 billion water plant investment with $400M transmission infrastructure totaling $2B project cost

• 48 million gallon daily capacity expandable to 80 million gallons meeting corporate demand growth

• Intel requesting 5 million gallons daily for New Albany semiconductor facilities matching OSU consumption levels

• Regional data centers consuming up to 500,000 gallons daily each driving infrastructure demand

• 94-acre Home Road site acquired 2015 with construction beginning late 2026 for 2031 completion

• Two 48-inch pipes spanning 23 miles connecting plant to existing water system infrastructure

• Ohio EPA commitment covering full $2B project cost through municipal capital budget allocation

• Current system serves 149 million gallons daily with 200 million gallon maximum capacity approaching

• November bond package includes $500M water infrastructure component requiring voter approval

What Makes It Transformational:

The water infrastructure investment creates foundational capacity for sustained corporate expansion while demonstrating municipal confidence in long-term industrial growth beyond Intel and current data center demand.

The project validates Columbus region's transformation into premier manufacturing and technology destination by proactively addressing infrastructure constraints that typically limit corporate site selection and expansion decisions.

For industrial investors, the water infrastructure commitment signals sustained municipal support for large-scale corporate developments while creating competitive advantages for properties positioned near transmission infrastructure and expanded capacity zones.

RICKENBACKER 671-ACRE MEGA SITE POSITIONS FOR "NEXT ANDURIL" WITH $19.25M ACQUISITION.

Cleveland-based Newmark executive Terry Coyne completes dual land acquisitions totaling 671 acres southeast of Shepherd and Circleville Lockbourne roads with completed rezoning and county tax abatements targeting large-scale manufacturing similar to Anduril's 5 million square foot facility, backed by O.H.I.O Fund investors seeking plug-and-play corporate development opportunities. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

• 671-acre site acquired for $19.25M through two June 2025 property transactions

• Strategic location near Rickenbacker International Airport and Anduril's planned mega facility

• Development-ready status with completed rezoning and county tax abatement approvals

• O.H.I.O Fund backing with multiple active investors providing patient capital approach

• Terry Coyne's 30-year track record in innovative land acquisition and development projects

• Anduril contacted development team but timing preceded site readiness completion

• No timeline pressure with patient capital allowing optimal tenant selection process

• Plug-and-play development model eliminating regulatory delays for corporate decision-making

What Makes It Strategic:

The mega site acquisition captures anticipated overflow demand from Anduril-level manufacturing expansion while providing development-ready infrastructure eliminating typical corporate site selection delays and regulatory hurdles.

The strategic positioning near Rickenbacker creates competitive advantages for defense contractors and advanced manufacturers requiring airport proximity and established industrial infrastructure supporting large-scale operations.

For manufacturing investors, the site demonstrates proactive positioning for next wave of corporate expansions while O.H.I.O Fund backing validates regional confidence in sustained manufacturing demand beyond current announced projects.

AMAZON WEB SERVICES COMPLETES $3.5B NEW ALBANY DATA CENTER CAMPUS BY DECEMBER 2025, ADVANCING $23B STATEWIDE INVESTMENT COMMITMENT AND DEEPENING CENTRAL OHIO TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE LEADERSHIP

AWS Vice President Roger Wehner confirms five-building New Albany campus completion timeline with two operational facilities and three under construction on 438-acre Beech and Miller roads site, employing 100 workers while expanding beyond existing Dublin and Hilliard campuses as part of record $23B statewide technology infrastructure investment through 2030. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

• $3.5B New Albany data center campus completing five buildings by December 2025

• 438-acre site along Beech and Miller roads in New Albany International Business Park

• Two data centers operational and fully staffed with three facilities under construction

• 100 employee workforce supporting expanded Central Ohio data center operations

• $19.7B invested in Ohio data center infrastructure since 2015 with $23B projected by 2030

• Additional Central Ohio expansion opportunities beyond current New Albany campus development

• Existing campuses in Dublin, Hilliard with future projects in Marysville, Jefferson Township, Sunbury

• $200K New Albany Fieldhouse contribution plus $150K community grants supporting local development

What Makes It Critical:

The data center campus completion demonstrates sustained technology sector confidence in Central Ohio infrastructure while establishing regional leadership in cloud computing and digital infrastructure supporting corporate relocations.

The $23B statewide investment commitment creates precedent for technology infrastructure development while validating Columbus region's competitive advantages in energy, connectivity, and workforce for data center operations.

For technology sector investors, the AWS expansion validates Central Ohio's emergence as premier data center destination while creating opportunities in adjacent properties benefiting from infrastructure improvements and corporate anchor tenant effects.

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Home owners: Water infrastructure investment validates long-term regional growth while mega site positioning near Rickenbacker demonstrates sustained manufacturing expansion supporting property appreciation.

Home buyers: AWS data center completion creates technology sector employment opportunities while infrastructure investment ensures sustained utility capacity supporting residential development.

Investors: Municipal water investment demonstrates infrastructure confidence while mega site acquisition and data center expansion validate Central Ohio's corporate expansion trajectory across manufacturing and technology sectors.

Bottom line: This week demonstrates Columbus region's comprehensive infrastructure investment and strategic site positioning creating sustained competitive advantages for corporate expansion while validating long-term growth thesis across manufacturing, technology, and supporting residential markets.

Thinking about capitalizing on these opportunities? Let's chat and connect you with our partners!

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See you next week,

— Gagan Timsina