Columbus, Georgia Business News
Read about companies like JS Link moving to Columbus, Georgia, along with business expansion announcements by companies like BioTouch, J.M. Smucker, and Pratt & Whitney. We cover business news in Columbus and the broader region. Watch videos on Columbus or download additional reports here.
News Articles
Jinju, South Korea and Columbus, GA formally established a sister-city relationship in late October 2025. The partnership further encourages cultural and knowledge exchanges between the two cities in the spirit of economic development and prosperity. Columbus seeks to capitalize on the growing wave of South Korean corporate investment in the...
Machinists are in high demand within the Columbus aerospace manufacturing cluster. Pratt & Whitney, the largest aerospace manufacturing employer in the area, specializes in the precise manufacturing of critical jet engine components for both commercial and military aircraft. These specialized components require equally specialized expertise from Computer Numerical Control (CNC)...
Columbus is redesigning what it means to grow a business in Georgia. The vibrant city is a place entrepreneurs can launch, grow, and achieve success. The city’s supportive business climate, strategic location, and access to skilled talent make it an ideal hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Examples of home-grown...
Chemical engineers play a crucial role in the development and success of the aerospace manufacturing cluster in Columbus. Their work contributes to the durability of jet engine components, ensuring materials meet proper aerospace specifications and resist the corrosion, wear, and oxidation that result from air travel. Aerospace chemical engineers typically...
Several South Korean businesses have committed to investments into the manufacturing and automotive supply chain sectors of Columbus, further enriching the partnership between the two cultures. Korean firm subsidiary JS Link America Inc. is investing about $223 million to establish a new rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Columbus...
Prospects for Columbus
Apr 1 2026Although my 2026 economic forecasts for Georgia predict little or no job growth, I expect Columbus will see significant job growth, mostly because of its success in landing private-sector economic development projects. In addition, defense-friendly politics favor Fort Benning, the area’s largest employer.BioTouch is expanding two existing facilities, creating 480...
Choosing Columbus for your defense industry expansion starts with Fort Benning. Fort Benning is home to the following and more:Maneuver Center of ExcellenceArmor and Infantry schoolsThe Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation75th Ranger Regiment1st Security Force Assistance BrigadeArmy Marksmanship UnitArmy National Guard Warrior Training CenterU.S. Army Reserve's 98th Training DivisionFort...
Celebrating Aflac's 70th Anniversary in Columbus
Mar 27 2026Your browser does not support the video tag. Celebrating 70 years of impact and a company that started right here in Columbus.From a six-room office to a global leader, Aflac’s story is deeply rooted in this community. We’re proud to call them part of Columbus and...
There’s a large demand for aviation and maintenance technicians in Columbus, GA, one of the critical aviation maintenance and manufacturing locations in the Southeast. Two of Columbus’ largest aerospace manufacturers, Pratt & Whitney and McCauley Propeller Systems, run both engine MRO and component manufacturing operations out of the city.Aviation and...
Fort Benning is a major economic driver for Columbus, generating approximately $4.75 billion annually. As the Army’s fifth-largest installation at ~182,000 acres, it is home to 13,500 soldiers—70% of whom live in the local community.Each year, about 2,000 soldiers transition from Fort Benning, and nearly 40% stay in the area,...
8 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for Young Adults, According to Real Estate Experts (Columbus #6!)
Mar 20 2026Atlanta isn’t the only Georgia city that young people should consider making their home base. “Columbus is often overlooked, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a military-connected city with a steady employment base, which creates economic stability and diversity,” explains Andrews. “The presence of military, healthcare, education, and logistics...
What programs and opportunities are available through the Korean Institute at Columbus State?
Mar 19 2026The Korean Institute at Columbus State (KICS) enhances students’ professional prospects via interdisciplinary academic programs and strategic initiatives that emphasize cultural exchange and community engagement. These programs and initiatives include:Academic exchanges among students and faculty, visiting scholars, and joint research initiativesLanguage workshops, festivals, symposia, conferences, and other cultural programsCommunity outreach...
Automotive suppliers benefit from Columbus’ central location in the automotive industry sector of the Southeastern U.S. Columbus’ position puts automotive suppliers in close proximity to a number of automotive companies, including the only Kia automotive plant in the U.S. and the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plants in Alabama and coastal Georgia...
Columbus is a historically significant center for financial services, particularly in fintech and insurance. The sector's strength is a cornerstone of the city’s economy. FIS (formerly TSYS) is the largest fintech company in the region, making Columbus a global hub for payment processing and merchant services. Insurance giant Aflac is...
Columbus is home to the second-largest Korean population in Georgia. Over 2,200 Korean residents call Columbus home, including Korean-American soldiers and military families stationed at Fort Benning, as well as faculty and students at Columbus State University. Small businesses and major Korean firms alike have invested in Columbus, becoming an...
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Announces New $200M Columbus Expansion, Cuts Ribbon on Prior Expansion
Feb 25 2026Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is investing $200 million to expand its operations in Columbus, Georgia. The project will initially create 15 new jobs, with more jobs to follow. Along with Pratt & Whitney President Shane Eddy, Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson, and...
Defense contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers find unparalleled opportunities in Columbus. The area is heavily influenced by two defense-related presences: the aerospace sector and Fort Benning.Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a business of global defense firm RTX Corporation, handles maintenance, repair, and overhaul for military engines, including the F-35’s F135 jet...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEColumbus, GA – [February 12, 2026] – Columbus is poised to experience significant economic growth following the announcement of a major new state of the art corporate data center campus that will bring substantial capital investment, job creation, and long term fiscal benefits to Muscogee County.The Development Authority...
More than 200,000 Georgians work in aerospace-related occupations across 800 different companies, generating a $57.5 billion economic impact. Aerospace products are Georgia's number one export, valued at $12.6 billion.Columbus is a budding aerospace hub. Two key aerospace manufacturers call Columbus home: RTX/Pratt & Whitney and McCauley Propeller Systems. Pratt &...
This spring, Columbus is stepping onto the international stage. On May 20, 2026, Columbus State University (CSU) will host the Korea–Georgia Dialogue, a first-of-its-kind forum bringing together leaders from Georgia and the Republic of Korea to talk about shared opportunities in business, security, and culture.Organized by the Korean Institute at...
2025 was a milestone year for Choose Columbus, the city’s new economic development organization created to grow jobs, attract investment, and strengthen the regional economy. Launched in early 2025, Choose Columbus was formed to bring a clear and focused approach to business recruitment, expansion, and retention. The organization works closely...
Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that BioTouch, a global healthcare logistics company, will invest $12.5 million to expand two existing facilities in Columbus, creating a combined 480 new jobs in Muscogee County over the next four years.“BioTouch's decision to double down on Georgia underscores how our approach to economic...
A delegation from Columbus, Georgia, visited Korea to personally verify JS Link's rare earth permanent magnet mass production capabilities and engage in detailed discussions toward establishing a manufacturing plant in the United States.On the 29th of this month, Columbus Mayor BH Skip Henderson and the delegation visited JS Link's plant...
Press Release - Gov. Kemp: Korean Magnet Facility to Create More than 500 Jobs in Columbus
Sep 3 2025ATLANTA – September 3, 2025 – Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that JS Link America Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of JS Link, intends to invest about $223 million to establish a new rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Columbus. The new facility will create more than...