Did you know what the Bureau of Labor Statistics was before last week? If so, you’re one of the few. But now, whether its jobs data is right or wrong and what it means is all that the talking heads want to discuss.

Here’s some good news, though: Columbus has proven that you can ignore that debate. Because our business leaders, pairedwith smart policy, have delivered indisputable economic growth. And not only do we welcome anyone to copy our playbook, but we’re actively inviting workers and entrepreneurs alike to consider setting up shop here.

In case you haven’t followed the jobs back-and-forth, the BLS recently revised its national jobs reports down for May and June. While it had projected job gains of 144,000 and 147,000 for those two months respectively, it recently changed them to 19,000 and 14,000, instead.

What does that suggest? That the U.S. economy isn’t growing as fast as it had been. That just isn’t true here in Columbus. Over just the last few months, several businesses and major employers have rolled out plans to expand their operations.

For example, in May, Columbus Community Hospital broke ground on its state-of-the-art cancer center. This will both consolidate existing services, and create space for advanced treatments and cutting-edge technologies that give patients unbeatable care.

Just a couple weeks ago, BD (Becton, Dickinson, and Co.) announced plans to invest more than $35 million in its manufacturing plant here. Beyond creating 50 high-quality local jobs, this investment will help meet rising demand for BD’s syringes as well as increase resiliency across the U.S. health care system.

Small businesses around Columbus are growing, too. Recently, Blazer Athletics invested in automated welding equipment for constructing its hurdle line. This innovative tech speeds up manufacturing and frees Blazer’s world-class workers to create value in other places.

It’s reasonable to ask: Why? What is Columbus doing that works so well?

To start with, our people have bought into good policies. For example, in June, Columbus voters reauthorized the city’s economic development program. This program has helped attract key industries to the area through operational incentives and training and workforce initiatives, and thanks to Columbus residents, it will continue to do so for another two decades.

We’ve also shown how good policy goes hand-in-hand with real growth in housing. While much of the rest of the country faces a housing shortage of around 4.5 million units, Columbus has streamlined permitting, leveraged workforce housing initiatives, and used every other resource available to raise new homes and bring affordable apartments online quickly.

From 2020 to 2024, developers and community leaders built enough housing to bring in 1,200 new residents. And we anticipate adding another 1,400 housing units beginning in the next year, which would give 3,500 new residents a place to live while adding more than $280 in property valuation.

Earlier this year, Columbus City Administrator Tara Vasicek was invited to speak before the U.S. House of Representatives Housing and Insurance Subcommittee about the work we’ve done.

More recently, Richard Baier, who helps run the Nebraska Bankers Association, pointed to Columbus as a model of progress in his own testimony before Congress.

It’s our not-so-secret sauce of pairing good policies with private sector leadership that has helped Columbus achieve sustainable and consistent growth.

So, I’d encourage anyone interested in copying our results to ignore the talking heads as they debate jobs numbers, and to instead reach out. We’re happy to host you here in Columbus, walk you through what we’ve done and find ways to partner.

Dawson Brunswick serves as President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. He was raised in McCook and earned his undergraduate degree from Chadron State College. This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/ignore-the-jobs-numbers-because-columbus-is-open-for-business/

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