Franklin County Commissioners, in partnership with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, held the first annual Franklin County Retail Summit for local business owners. The Retail Summit provided information on the latest economic and retail trends in the region.

Franklin County is home to numerous major corporations, successful small businesses, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions. In 2008, there were 29,200 private establishments in Franklin County employing 568,400 people. An estimated 45% of all private employees work for small businesses. The Franklin County retail sector employs 70,800 people in 3,700 establishments.

In 2009, Sales Tax Collections made up over 40% of the County's General Fund Revenue Receipts. The sales tax revenue supports many vital Franklin County functions, such as Public Safety, Justice, Veteran Services, Economic Development and Job Creation Efforts, and Community Partnerships.

The Retail Summit included expert presentations on Franklin County Retail 101, Retail and The Economy, an Overview of National Economics and Debt Stress Index and a Franklin County Economy & Market Update by Dr. Bill LaFayette of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

"As we begin to emerge out of an economic downturn, and into this promising Holiday retail season, I see this Summit as a unique opportunity to bring together the business community, small and large, and government entities, to make sure we are doing everything possible to support jobs across the Franklin County retail sector," said Commissioner Paula Brooks.

"The Retail Summit allows us to explore ways we can strengthen our existing programs and discuss new ideas. For Franklin County to continue to prosper, retailers need to prosper," said Commissioner Marilyn Brown.

"Franklin County retailers are an engine of economic development in our community and we want to make sure they are well informed and well prepared to succeed in this economy," said Commissioner John O'Grady.

"The Columbus region's retail sector has been through some rough times, but is in a position to grow again once the recovery takes hold. Franklin County needs to position itself now to capture its fair share of the growth that will occur," said Dr. Bill LaFayette, Columbus Chamber of Commerce.