33 Report: February 2026
The Fairfield 33 Development Alliance connects government entities and local businesses to encourage investment and development in Fairfield County. We do this through advocacy, business attraction and retention, and workforce development initiatives.
On Track with Director Szabrak
When it comes to growth in Fairfield County, it is not a matter of IF but WHEN.
Being proactive has always been a defining characteristic of our county and a priority among its planners, elected officials, and residents.
As the fourth fastest growing county in the state, ensuring there is enough housing to sustain that growth is critical. The 2025 Housing Study prepared by Ninigret Partners and Planning NEXT, in collaboration with the Fairfield County Department of Economic Development, the City of Lancaster, the Lancaster Port Authority, and Lancaster Fairfield Community Action, was undertaken to guide decision-making as the county plans for the future.
The study reviewed the existing housing supply and identified gaps across income levels and housing types, revealing that not all residents have access to housing options that fit their budgets or lifestyles. It also examined how the county’s current housing stock can be improved, adapted, or repurposed to meet changing needs, recognizing that meeting future demand will require not just building new homes but making better use of what already exists.
The bottom line is that we want everyone who lives and/or works in Fairfield County to have access to the type of housing that best suits them. As you may already have seen, those housing needs are starting to be fulfilled. There are 1,200 multi-family residential units in the City of Lancaster under construction or recently completed. In downtown Lancaster, the Shumaker building is making headway on its development of 60 market rate apartments with first-floor commercial space also available. It’s an amazing project and I urge you to check it out the next time you drive through Lancaster.
And speaking of drive throughs, yes - Chick-fil-A in Lancaster is almost complete. It might be the most popular thing to happen to Memorial Drive since it stopped being a canal.
As city and county officials, alongside the tremendous business community and our partners along the 33 Corridor, continue to make way for the future, I invite you to participate, advocate and educate the people and businesses you come into contact with - enlightening them about the benefits and advantages available to those who choose to call Fairfield County home.
As always, be sure to follow us on social media as well to stay up to date on all our news and events.
Thanks for your continued support -
Rick Szabrak
Director of Economic and Workforce Development
News Along the Corridor
DSV Expand Presence at Canal Pointe
DSV, an international third-party logistics provider, recently expanded their presence with an additional lease in the Canal Pointe Industry & Commerce Park. With their expansion they will employ more than 200 in the city serving a major technology company with logistics services. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the development, bringing the two-building speculative project to full occupancy. In 2024, DB Schenker (now a subsidiary of DSV) commenced leasing activity at the park, signing a lease to occupy the entirety of Canal Pointe Building A, a 450,696 square-foot speculative industrial facility. DSV will occupy Building B.
Featuring two state-of-the-art industrial buildings totaling over 825,000 square feet, Canal Pointe offers unmatched access with frontage along US-33, less than 15 minutes from I-270/I-70 and less than 20 minutes from Rickenbacker International Airport and Downtown Columbus. The lease transaction was facilitated by Molto Properties, a privately held real estate company.
Bienvenidos Local Cantina
Pickerington’s newest elevated investment is speeding towards completion this Spring.
Local Cantina Pickerington is taking shape with the City of Pickerington adding adjacent parking where none existed before.
This and other infrastructure will also serve an additional new restaurant that is soon to be announced.
Diamond Power Looks to Future
Diamond Power recently welcomed County Commissioners and City of Lancaster leadership for a tour and discussion of the company’s strong future in Lancaster.
Operating locally since the 1950s, Diamond Power delivers industry-leading boiler cleaning solutions backed by more than a century of expertise and a reputation for reliability, low maintenance, and superior performance.
In 2025, Diamond Power was acquired by ANDRITZ, ending its longstanding relationship with Babcock & Wilcox and joining a global technology leader founded in Austria in 1852. With $8 billion in annual revenue and 30,000 employees worldwide, ANDRITZ will designate the Lancaster facility as its largest North American manufacturing site, expanding Diamond Power’s capabilities with global scale, deep process expertise, and full lifecycle support across the power, pulp and paper, waste-to-energy, and petrochemical sectors.
The acquisition is driven by continued growth in power generation and expanded opportunities in pulp and paper, while building on a strong local culture supported by nearly 200 employees, most represented by the United Steelworkers Union.
Workforce Center News
New Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship Offered to Students
The Fairfield County Workforce Center and The Freeland Foundation and Freeland Contracting Company are proud to announce the development of a new Pre-Apprenticeship Plumbing Program for high school seniors during the upcoming academic school year.
As a leader in commercial plumbing and with a long-standing commitment to education and workforce development, the Freeland Foundation is dedicated to preparing the next generation of skilled tradespeople. This program provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learn industry standards, and explore a rewarding career in plumbing before graduating high school.
“Plumbing is a trade that will always be in demand, and we want to help our community’s young people see it as a viable, stable, financially rewarding and meaningful career path,” said Joe Fischer, VP of Production. “This partnership fills a critical need in developing the future workforce while giving students the tools to succeed.”
Through classroom learning, lab experiences, and mentorship from multiple licensed professionals, students will begin building the skills necessary for success in the plumbing industry. Upon completion, participants will be well-positioned to continue into full apprenticeship programs or other career pathways in the skilled trades.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Fairfield County students enabling them to get a head start into a field where the demand is consistently high,” said Rick Szabrak, Director of the Fairfield County Workforce Center. “The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 4% growth for plumbers in Ohio which amounts to nearly 1,400 new positions needed to be filled annually throughout the state. We are proud to be able to help develop those future workers.”
There are nine Fairfield County high school seniors enrolled this school year. The program, which will begin with basic training at the Fairfield County Workforce Center before moving to Freeland’s training center, increases Fairfield County’s pre-apprenticeship offerings.
2026 CAREER EXPO for Students and Businesses Scheduled for March 19
Network, interview, and connect from 9 a.m. to noon at The Workforce center! High school juniors and seniors from eight school districts and representatives from local businesses will have the chance to meet, connect, and explore a variety of opportunities including:
- Full-time employment
- Part-time employment
- Internships
- Summer employment
- Apprenticeships
- Long-term employment after graduation
Register to Attend the 2026 Career Expo (opens Google Forms in a new tab on an external site)
Students on a Path to Discovery
The 2025-26 Pre-Apprentice Program is not only underway, it’s bursting at the seams. Currently there are 114 students from all over Fairfield County enrolled in the program. This includes:
- 25 Electrical
- 25 HVAC
- 11 Carpentry
- 8 Water/Wastewater
- 5 Industrial technology
- 9 Plumbing
- 16 Phlebotomy Session 1
- 15 Phlebotomy Session 2