Indianapolis is growing faster than Columbus, Ohio, and that concerns officials in the Ohio city, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Metro Indianapolis’ population increased 9.2 percent between 2000 and 2006 compared to 7 percent for the Columbus area; also, Indianapolis’ job numbers swelled 5.5 percent vs. Columbus’ 1.8 percent.
Though Columbus has 59,500 more residents—1.73 million, according to the latest U.S. Census figures—the regions are virtually identical.
Both are state capitals situated on Interstate 70. Both also have “major-league professional sports teams,” the newspaper said, a reference to the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers, and the Blue Jackets and Crew hockey and soccer teams.
Faster growth could give Indianapolis an edge in attracting expansion-minded companies, Columbus officials fear. Growth also favors Indianapolis in freight traffic at the cities’ respective airports.
Indianapolis is expanding faster because it weathered the 2001 recession by replacing lost traditional manufacturing jobs with positions in life sciences, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
