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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

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Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

We took in the experience of watching Columbus' newest team.

News

Columbus has a professional football team again. Why it matters: In a town enthusiastic about the sport, Friday marked the first outdoor pro football game in Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 34 years" data-vars-click-url="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" data-vars-content-id="dea41af6-b9b4-4cec-8b15-d9da299bea25" data-vars-headline="Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" target="_blank">in 34 years</a>.

What's on the May 5 primary ballot

Voters face school levies, a police response amendment and more.

Early voting is underway for the May 5 primary election, kicking off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" data-vars-content-id="0a156d75-86bb-4a77-bc19-55e9c67eb430" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the May 5 primary ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" target="_self">busy</a> midterm year.Why it matters: While statewide races like governor and U.S. Senate will likely grab the spotlight, there are plenty of local issues being decided now.

At long last, Buc-ee's brings BBQ and hype to Ohio

The Huber Heights store marks Buc-ee's debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

Business

Ohio has its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" data-vars-content-id="0aa83960-fdc8-49bb-8070-6cb90afa08b0" data-vars-headline="At long last, Buc-ee&#x27;s brings BBQ and hype to Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> — the Texas-born mega travel center known for turning gas stops into full-blown day trips.Why it matters: The massive 74,000-square-foot gas station on steroids opened this week in Huber Heights (near Dayton), marking Buc-ee&#x27;s debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer

On National Beer Day, take a moment to appreciate our water.

Enjoying a local beverage on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Beer Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" data-vars-content-id="8adf4f65-133b-41ee-9444-6d6fddf9a650" data-vars-headline="How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" target="_blank">National Beer Day</a>? Take a moment to consider the most important ingredient in Columbus beer: our water.Why it matters: Beer is over 90% water, and Columbus gives brewmasters — from small craft breweries to massive distributors — a big advantage.

Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

Fury autonomous drone production is set to begin months ahead of schedule.

Anduril&#x27;s Arsenal-1 factory near Rickenbacker is about to start production, and leaders of the autonomous weapons manufacturer believe it will produce superior weaponry at a fraction of the cost and time other companies require.Why it matters: The project promises to be one of the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job creation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" target="_self">job creation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" target="_self">economic development</a> projects in Ohio&#x27;s history and comes with a massive tax break from the state.

Why Amazon's data centers face opposition in Hilliard

A proposal would use natural gas fuel cells to generate power.

As more Ohio communities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" data-vars-content-id="3e6fc170-23d8-4300-8e34-793065d938cd" data-vars-headline="Why Amazon&#x27;s data centers face opposition in Hilliard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" target="_self">push back</a> against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="3e6fc170-23d8-4300-8e34-793065d938cd" data-vars-headline="Why Amazon&#x27;s data centers face opposition in Hilliard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" target="_self">data centers</a>, a plan to power Hilliard&#x27;s new Amazon campus with natural gas fuel cells is the latest local flashpoint.Why it matters: The dispute highlights ongoing tension over how the energy-hungry centers popping up everywhere will be powered.<ul><li>It also raises a new question: How much can local officials control what&#x27;s built?</li></ul>

Ohio's data center surge faces local resistance

Nearly 300 centers are operating or planned as lawmakers debate new limits.

Ohio&#x27;s data center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="041f3b35-4c34-41f6-8068-7d9f9dbfc5ac" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s data center surge faces local resistance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" target="_self">surge</a> isn&#x27;t slowing down any time soon.By the numbers: About 200 centers are currently operational and around 100 more planned or under construction, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" data-vars-content-id="041f3b35-4c34-41f6-8068-7d9f9dbfc5ac" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s data center surge faces local resistance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" target="_self">an analysis</a> shared with Axios in December.

COhatch fuels expansion with a focus on suburbs

Expect its new "anchor" headquarters in Dublin by the end of 2027.

A decade after launching and six years after the pandemic-era pivot to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="remote work" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" data-vars-content-id="c2356723-01ed-47e9-b2e7-ccf4e4258a47" data-vars-headline="COhatch fuels expansion with a focus on suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" target="_self">remote work</a>, Columbus&#x27; largest coworking brand is still growing and adapting to a new era.Why it matters: COhatch has grown from a single Worthington location to a network of around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="40 spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cohatch.com/locations/" data-vars-content-id="c2356723-01ed-47e9-b2e7-ccf4e4258a47" data-vars-headline="COhatch fuels expansion with a focus on suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cohatch.com/locations/" target="_blank">40 spaces</a> spread across seven states amid the pandemic, return-to-office mandates and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-profile coworking industry failures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/07/wework-bankruptcy-filing" data-vars-content-id="c2356723-01ed-47e9-b2e7-ccf4e4258a47" data-vars-headline="COhatch fuels expansion with a focus on suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/07/wework-bankruptcy-filing" target="_self">high-profile coworking industry failures</a>.

The latest on Columbus' new Black history museum

The future museum will preserve part of historic Poindexter Village.

Surrounded by blocks of matching, modern apartments, two historic brick buildings on Champion Avenue stand as anchors to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/18/bronzeville-ohio-black-history-month" data-vars-content-id="94455647-9ce7-4d7e-b64a-b914b317829d" data-vars-headline="The latest on Columbus&#x27; new Black history museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/18/bronzeville-ohio-black-history-month" target="_self">another era</a>.Why it matters: They&#x27;re the last remnants of Poindexter Village, one of the country&#x27;s first public housing projects and a cornerstone of the local Black community.

Sneak Peek: Rev1's new Franklinton home

One of Ohio's most prominent venture development studios debuts its new headquarters.

Rev1 Ventures, Central Ohio&#x27;s largest state-funded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="entrepreneurial organization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" data-vars-content-id="c0d82ac1-2e90-42f8-9918-c306748842ae" data-vars-headline="Sneak Peek: Rev1&#x27;s new Franklinton home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" target="_self">entrepreneurial organization</a>, has moved its headquarters to Franklinton as part of new-look expansion plans.Why it matters: Rev1 is one of Ohio&#x27;s most prominent venture development studios and the state&#x27;s top seed-stage investor. Its portfolio companies generate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rev1ventures.com/startup-impact/" data-vars-content-id="c0d82ac1-2e90-42f8-9918-c306748842ae" data-vars-headline="Sneak Peek: Rev1&#x27;s new Franklinton home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rev1ventures.com/startup-impact/" target="_blank">billions</a> in value.

Kilbourne Run Sports Park's $40 million soccer upgrade

Columbus hopes the park will become a regional soccer hub.

Columbus is nearing completion on the $40 million redevelopment of Northland&#x27;s Kilbourne Run Sports Park that should bolster Central Ohio&#x27;s sports scene in 2026.Why it matters: Youth sports are a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major economic driver" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/30/youth-sports-private-equity" data-vars-content-id="6c1030df-6580-46ee-8120-8b9de7d1b0ec" data-vars-headline="Kilbourne Run Sports Park&#x27;s $40 million soccer upgrade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/30/youth-sports-private-equity" target="_self">major economic driver</a>, and the city hopes Kilbourne Run can be for soccer what the popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lou Berliner Sports Park" data-vars-click-url="https://columbusrecparks.com/facilities/rentals/sports/berliner-2/" data-vars-content-id="6c1030df-6580-46ee-8120-8b9de7d1b0ec" data-vars-headline="Kilbourne Run Sports Park&#x27;s $40 million soccer upgrade" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://columbusrecparks.com/facilities/rentals/sports/berliner-2/" target="_blank">Lou Berliner Sports Park</a> is to baseball and softball.

Cooper Stadium's future could take a cue from Indy

Luxury Stadium Lofts show what's possible for Cooper Stadium.

With another redevelopment plan for Cooper Stadium <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the news" data-vars-click-url="https://ballparkdigest.com/2025/11/04/yet-another-run-at-cooper-stadium-redevelopment/" data-vars-content-id="7e3461a1-61a4-4f43-84ea-c624d098a8a7" data-vars-headline="Cooper Stadium&#x27;s future could take a cue from Indy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ballparkdigest.com/2025/11/04/yet-another-run-at-cooper-stadium-redevelopment/" target="_blank">in the news</a>, a success story in Indianapolis offers a glimpse of what could be.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been 17 years since the Clippers played in Franklinton, and it&#x27;s easy to lose hope that the partially demolished ballpark will ever become more than an eyesore.<ul><li>But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another restoration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.indystar.com/story/life/home-garden/2013/12/01/lofts-give-new-life-to-historic-bush-stadium/3799605/" data-vars-content-id="7e3461a1-61a4-4f43-84ea-c624d098a8a7" data-vars-headline="Cooper Stadium&#x27;s future could take a cue from Indy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.indystar.com/story/life/home-garden/2013/12/01/lofts-give-new-life-to-historic-bush-stadium/3799605/" target="_blank">another restoration</a> shows it&#x27;s not too late for a comeback.</li></ul>

Columbus' growth could strain its water supply

Residents, data centers, farms and manufacturers like Intel are all tapping the same supply.

Columbus&#x27; explosive growth could someday strain our water supply without more planning, warns a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Alliance for the Great Lakes report" data-vars-click-url="http://greatlakes.org/wateruse" data-vars-content-id="c591a52b-94a3-490e-a28f-97bdda15ed61" data-vars-headline="Columbus&#x27; growth could strain its water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://greatlakes.org/wateruse" target="_blank">new Alliance for the Great Lakes report</a>.Why it matters: Residents, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="c591a52b-94a3-490e-a28f-97bdda15ed61" data-vars-headline="Columbus&#x27; growth could strain its water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" target="_self">data centers</a>, farms and manufacturers such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Intel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/10/intel-ohio-timeline-delay-grant-funding" data-vars-content-id="c591a52b-94a3-490e-a28f-97bdda15ed61" data-vars-headline="Columbus&#x27; growth could strain its water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/10/intel-ohio-timeline-delay-grant-funding" target="_self">Intel</a> are all tapping the same supply — and if it can&#x27;t keep up, that could result in higher bills, shortages or restrictions.

6-state highway plan could relieve Route 23 pressure

The proposed route would link Michigan to South Carolina and include new stretches in Ohio.

A proposed six-state highway involving Ohio is meant to boost commerce and give vacationing Midwesterners a direct shot to Myrtle Beach.Why it matters: The new route could help relieve Delaware County roads that are bursting at the seams.

Axios What's Next

Side by side choropleth maps of U.S. states showing current and planned data centers as of October 2025. There are 4,149 operational data centers, with 2,788 under construction or planned. Texas and Virginia lead in both current and planned data centers.

2025-12-16-data-center-maps

Data: American Edge Project and Technology Councils of North America; Map: Axios Visuals

Development 🏗️

Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

Why Amazon's data centers face opposition in Hilliard

Ohio's data center surge faces local resistance

COhatch fuels expansion with a focus on suburbs

The latest on Columbus' new Black history museum