UA's Business Climate
Retaining our current base of business is a priority for the UACIC, as well as for other community organizations. Often, current businesses become important to our economic development efforts as they grow and seek additional office space. We are proud of the companies that have chosen to make their home in Upper Arlington, and are always willing to use tools from our economic development program to encourage others to join us.
Upper Arlington has approximately 1,000 businesses located here, with more than 75% enjoying a tenure in our community of at least 10 years. Our 10 largest employers combined account for 15.4% of the total City Employment. Among them are the Upper Arlington Board of Education, the Orthopedic Center of Excellence, First Community Village, City of Upper Arlington, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Scioto Country Club, The Wellington School, National Church Residences, and Willis/HRH
By looking at our City's most successful projects, the UACIC has a clear direction: we are advocating and supporting redevelopment projects that bring more office and medical space. Recent studies on the real estate market support our goal:
- Less than 2% of Upper Arlington’s 9.8 square miles is zoned and developed for office use.
- Our vacancy rate for office space is about 12% in 2009 (substantially less than the Northwest market area or the 18% office vacancy rate for Central Ohio).
- Most of our available space is not "Class A," which is desired by most business owners today.
- Office rents in Upper Arlington are above average, pointing to the fact that demand is ahead of supply.
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