Working Remotely. One thing companies have learned over the past year is that letting their employees work from home is a viable option and may even benefit them financially. The potential for having a happier workforce and access to much broader pools of talent has been an unexpected benefit of remote work during the COVID-19 restrictions. Places like Granville are now a realistic option now for workers who have the flexibility to live further away from their jobs. Granville has always been a desirable place to live, with its New England-style charm, historic and active downtown area, and high-performing school system. Having greater access to jobs makes it an even more attractive place to live.
Many companies have decided that they will not bring their workforces back to the office, with as much as 60-80% of their workforce shifting to remote work. High-tech industries that historically have seen themselves with a need to be in a physical space have realized that’s not necessarily true, and that providing more work and life flexibility can be a benefit to employees while helping companies retain talent. “They are now very fluid on where they can be and where their workers can be,” said Nate Strum, the outgoing director of GROW Licking County.
Strum recently gave a presentation on the potential of Central Ohio and its link to Columbus. “Columbus in general was just rated one of the top metro areas for affordability and Granville is poised to take advantage of that. With Columbus gaining attention and population as an attractive place for corporations, the changing views about work-from-home means that areas like Granville will become much more desirable for professionals in high-tech jobs that want a small-town lifestyle.”
Granville is also uniquely positioned to take advantage of the new remote work opportunities because of its location and proximity to the airport. It’s a short highway drive to John Glenn International Airport and from there people can be on the west coast or in New York City within a few hours. This flexibility is something that companies will be looking for moving forward. Their employees may be able to work remotely and choose where they live, but they may still need to travel as needed. According to Strum, “One of the other key factors that was highlighted in the livability study was accessibility to major international airports. Companies will say that they would like you to stay remote, but if they need you on the west coast, or New England, or Chicago or Dallas or DC, can you get there and can you get there quickly? And Columbus’ access to those markets is second to none.”
For families and individuals desiring to live somewhere with a sense of “place”, Granville offers a personality all its own. Strum believes it provides a sense of community. “Here in Licking County, I really look at it from an authenticity standpoint. Whether you’re going to the Sertoma Ice Cream Festival or the 4th of July Festival here in Granville, the Heath Star Spangled Banner Program or the Pataskala Power Show – you have these really great communities that have tremendous identities. If you’re a worker and you can live anywhere in the United States, you need consistent high speed internet access – whatever your employer’s threshold is, and then you’re going to look for those types of experiences. You’re going to look for restaurants that you want dine at, bars that you enjoy going to, schools that your kids can get a great education in. A place where you can feel like part of a community.”
With people moving away from expensive metro areas and seeking out communities that better fit their lifestyle and financial needs, Granville is perfectly positioned to be a remote work destination and and thrive in this new economy.