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Happy Tuesday morning, Columbus.
Just when you thought it was safe to walk outside again in bare feet. Woof. August is bringing back the heat and humidity.
But before we melt into the pavement, let's get down to today's business.
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Here’s what you need to know:
1) JobsOhio has sued for nearly $10M in incentive clawbacks
JobsOhio has obtained court judgments or settlements totaling $6 million of a combined $10 million in jobs creation incentives it has sued to claw back from 27 recipients over the past five years, according to an analysis by Columbus Business First. Here are the firms the nonprofit has targeted.
2) The Punch List: Can downtown parking lots be redeveloped?
Downtown Columbus has more than 200 acres of surface parking lots. Many downtown advocates and developers agree the lots should be developed, but there's not always a clear path forward. Here's the latest.
3) Everbowl adding two shops with more to come
San Diego-based Everbowl is coming to the Columbus area with a location expected to open next month in Westerville and a site near Upper Arlington a few weeks after that. Here's what you need to know about its menu.
4) Columbus VC network names COO, new fund chief
Columbus-based Venture Atlas has promoted from within for its first COO ahead of plans to keep launching impact funds making the VC world accessible to overlooked and underrepresented populations. Here's what we know about Jenny Lane.
This Day in History
1485, a big day in sword-swinging royalty. On this day, King Richard III fell in battle. Fun fact: He was the last English monarch to die on the battlefield.
1902, a big day in presidential transportation. On this day, Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to ride in a car. It was a Columbia Electric Victoria Phaeton.
1984, a big day in saying auf wiedersehen kleines kaninchen. On this day, the last of the original Volkswagen Rabbits rolled off the assembly line. I learned how to drive in a four-speed Rabbit in 1981.
Let There Be Songs To Fill The Air
Let's go back to the year I conquered the road in a VW Rabbit and listen to a song I absolutely loved then (and still do): Ceremony by New Order.
"This is why events unnerve me.
"They find it all, a different story.
"Notice whom for wheels are turning.
"Turn again and turn towards this time.
"All she asks the strength to hold me.
"Then again the same old story.
"Word will travel, oh so quickly.
"Travel first and lean towards this time."
And Now For The Weather …
Look for a high of 88 degrees today, mostly clear skies and a 10% chance of rain.
For more on your daily and weekend forecast, check out NBC4, where the weather experts are watching the mercury rise again in Columbus.
The Last word
I did not attend any of the Summer in the Shoe shows, but we could hear the first of Morgan Wallen's two shows just fine from our backyard. Especially the drums.
When the wind blows in the right direction, Ohio Stadium might as well be in Clintonville.
Although my keister wasn't parked in Ohio State's premier outdoor concert space (and football stadium), there were a good number of you who attended one or more of these shows. In fact, some 300,000 tickets were purchased to the Buckeye Country Super Fest in June and the recent four shows in eight days by Wallen; Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks; Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Alice Cooper.
But the money didn't stop there. In all, this series led to $120 million in economic impact in Central Ohio, according to a story written by reporter Amanda Tonoli.
For example, the Hilton Columbus Downtown sold out its 1,000 rooms for each concert – a combined 5,000 booked rooms for the shows, said Chris Coffin, the hotel's general manager. Add in parking, restaurants, shopping and all that goes into a visit and you can see that these kinds of events get fans opening their wallets.
Where did they come from? All 50 states, Mexico and Canada, according to Columbus Arena Sports and Entertainment.
Between Kemba Live, the Newport, the Schott, Nationwide Arena and now Mershon on campus, Columbus has become a world-class city for big names and big shows.
And if I can't get a ticket to a show at the Horseshoe, I can always hope the wind is blowing toward Clintonville and enjoy the concert from my back patio.
Have a terrific Tuesday.