Columbus State to expand its health care programs

• The college is currently turning some potential students away due to capacity limits, president David Harrison said at an event detailing the plan.

Details: Columbus State will build a new 80,000-square-foot facility, the OhioHealth Center for Health Sciences, and also renovate existing classrooms and labs. The new facility is expected to open as early as 2027.

• The project will cost at least $85 million, funded by a 2020 voter-approved bond.
• OhioHealth's gift — the largest in college history — will be used to hire more faculty and staff.

What's next: The goal is to double health care graduates in 10 years, specifically in nursing, surgical technology, medical imaging, respiratory therapy and sterile processing.

What we're watching: Harrison said he thinks "there is an opportunity for a debt-free degree" program for Franklin County as part of the expansion.