LICKING COUNTY, Ohio — Intel's move here may be delayed, but that doesn't change the pressure there is to reshape the way our communities operate. 

The facility in Ohio won't be operational for another three or four years—not 2025, as initially announced.  

What You Need To Know

• Intel’s Ohio One facility won’t be operational until 2027 or 2028


• The delay gives the state more time to prepare for the expected growth


• It allows the state more time to work on road improvement and expansion projects, as well as the housing shortage

The delay comes as no surprise for a project of this size to the Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, William Murdock. He explained it just gives the state more time to prepare for the anticipated growth. 

“It takes time to get ready for such a major investment, but some of it’s moving really quickly,” he said. “If you look at some of the road improvements along, say 161, those are already under construction. So, that’s moving at a record speed to get ready for it.”  

Murdock said MORPC is focusing on other road improvement and expansion projects across the state. The housing shortage is also a priority. 

“Our region needs housing of every type in every place,” he said. “Every community is looking at how to get in front of this. There’s a great effort that’s happened in Licking County called The Framework, where a number of communities have looked at the kind of communities they want to be and how they can accommodate growth.”

There’s a lot of growth to be expected. In fact, Murdock said central Ohio is the fastest-growing part of the state. Right now, it’s on track to welcome 700,000 more people by 2050. 

There’s clearly a lot to get done, but Murdock says he feels confident in the timeline they’re working with.