Columbus Business Beat: Aug. 13, 2026. Posted: Aug 13, 2026 / 06:30 PM EDT Updated: Aug 13, 2026 / 02:10 PM EDT COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - This week on Columbus Business Beat, NBC4 Digital Anchor Rachel Ramsey talks to Doug Buchanan, Editor in Chief of Columbus Business First, about business news across central Ohio. To watch this week's episode, view the video player above. * Wayfair Outlet to open in Dublin * Construction begins on nearly 500 residential units near OSU Airport * PPG adding 100 jobs in Delaware with $280M expansion * Ohio State study shows GLP-1 impact on restaurant sales * New Wendy's CEO: Quality and value have declined * Country bar and music venue opening in the Short North * Sugar is coming back to Park Street, but not like before * Coffee and beignets chain opening in Hilliard and Westerville Digital reporter Ava Boldizar discusses some of her business stories in this latest episode.

August 12 OhioMBE daily business brief. By OhioMBE / August 12, 2026 Cash - Contracts - Connections OhioMBE daily business brief. Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Today's important Ohio business news, resources and developments for small, Black-owned, minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Central Ohio businesses recover from destructive storm. A powerful storm swept through Central Ohio on Tuesday, producing flooding, property damage and widespread power outages. Wind gusts reportedly reached 82 mph, and nearly 100,000 customers lost electricity. Columbus officials said the city's South Side was among the hardest-hit areas. Additional rain could complicate cleanup and restoration efforts. Why it matters Power outages, flooding and property damage can be especially costly for small businesses. Owners should photograph damage, preserve receipts, contact their insurance companies and document lost inventory and interrupted operations before beginning major cleanup. Business owners should also be cautious of unlicensed contractors and storm-repair scams. PPG breaks ground on $280 million Delaware expansion. PPG has begun construction on a new 100,000-square-foot automotive-coatings facility at its existing Delaware, Ohio, manufacturing site. The company plans to invest approximately $280 million in the expansion and create about 100 full-time jobs. The Delaware facility currently employs approximately 450 people. Operations at the new plant are expected to begin in 2028. Why it matters A project of this size will require construction, equipment, technology, logistics and professional services. Economic-development officials and PPG should explain how Ohio's small, minority- and women-owned businesses can participate in the project and the company's supply chain. Ohio awards nearly $3.7 million for film projects. The Ohio Department of Development has awarded nearly $3.7 million in tax credits supporting four film projects across the state. Film and television productions generate spending beyond the production set. They purchase transportation, lodging, catering, security, construction, printing, equipment rental and other local services. Why it matters Public incentives should create measurable opportunities for Ohio businesses. The state should track how much production spending reaches local, Black-owned, minority-owned and women-owned vendors - not simply report the value of the tax credits. Small-business optimism rises, but uncertainty remains high. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased 2.4 points in July to 99.8 - its highest level since August 2025 and above its 52-year average. Hiring plans improved, and 25% of business owners said they plan to make capital investments within the next six months. However, uncertainty remains well above its historical average. Labor challenges also persist. Thirty-six percent of owners reported job openings they could not fill, while 27% identified the quality or availability of workers as their most important business problem. Why it matters Business owners may be feeling more hopeful, but optimism does not eliminate the challenges of finding workers, managing costs and securing affordable capital. Black-owned businesses continue to face additional barriers when seeking financing and larger contracts. Free construction consultations available today. The Ohio Business Development Center's Construction Academy is offering Ask the Construction Expert today from noon until 1:15 p.m. via Zoom. Small contractors can reserve a private 15-minute consultation to receive assistance with a bid, estimate, contract, blueprint, certification question or project challenge. This is not another general webinar. Each appointment focuses on the contractor's specific question or immediate business need. Why it matters A short conversation with an experienced construction professional could help a contractor avoid a pricing mistake, understand a document or make a stronger business decision. The consultations are free and open to the community.

PPG breaks ground on $280 million Ohio coatings expansion. August 11, 2026 PPG has broken ground on a new advanced manufacturing facility at its existing site in Delaware, Ohio, as part of a more than $280 million investment to expand automotive coatings production. The 100,000-square-foot facility will add advanced waterborne basecoat and primer production, clearcoat manufacturing, real-time quality evaluation and automated material movement. PPG said the new processes are designed to reduce waste while improving water and energy efficiency. Looking for a reprint of this article? From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today! JOIN TODAY to unlock your recommendations. Already have an account? Sign In