Why the Federal Reserve Matters to You
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
What does the Federal Reserve actually do—and why should it matter to Central Ohioans? Beth Hammack, the new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, sits down with CMC to explain her role, how the Fed operates, and how it impacts your paycheck, your mortgage, and our regional economy. Featuring: Beth Hammack, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The host is award-winning news anchor Clay Gordon. This forum was sponsored by Homeport. The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s...
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Keeping the Columbus Promise
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Columbus appears to be on track to keep an important promise: The Columbus Promise. The innovative education partnership launched in 2021 with the goal of sending more Columbus City School graduates to college, boosting their own life trajectories and helping Central Ohio supercharge its workforce. The Columbus Promise lets any graduate of Columbus City Schools attend Columbus State Community College at no cost for six semesters and provides a $500 stipend each semester plus academic support. Now the Promise is no longer just a pilot. The program’s key partners – the City of...
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Central Ohio Builds BIG!
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
BIG things are happening in Central Ohio! With top leaders, we dig into some of the BIGGEST construction and development projects happening right now in our region, including the new $2B Columbus Airport terminal, the $200M reimagining of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, defense contractor Anduril’s just-announced state-of-the-art plant, and the highway and transportation systems that will tie it all together. We explore where big ideas come from, and the partnerships and workforce that’s essential to turn big dreams into tomorrow’s Central Ohio reality. Featuring: ...
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A Conversation with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s new proposed $218 billion two-year state budget promises to completely fund the state’s public education system, to deliver a tax credit for parents with minimum-wage jobs, and provides higher funding for children’s services, including childcare, literacy, and vision programs. With the Governor’s proposal in hand, Ohio lawmakers now have until July 1, 2025 to shape the budget and return it to the Governor’s desk. CMC welcomes Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for an in-depth conversation on his proposed budget and his priorities for the state. Featuring: ...
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All Amped Up: Can Ohio Meet Its Future Energy Needs?
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Ohio’s energy demand is set to skyrocket with the rise of data centers, electric vehicles, and the shutdown of aging power plants. Can the state’s power generation keep pace, or will electricity shortages hinder Ohio’s growth? Major tech companies are establishing data centers in central Ohio, consuming a growing portion of the state’s power supply to support consumers and power-intensive technologies like AI. Additionally, the retirement of some fossil-fuel power plants and the unpredictability of renewable sources like wind and solar add further pressure to Ohio’s energy system....
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State of the Performing Arts
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Columbus is more than lucky: the city is home to a vast array of performing arts organizations that bring vibrancy, expression, and wonder to Ohio’s state capital through theater, dance, ballet, live music performances, and more. Artists, venues, and companies abound, plus scores of associated programs that seek to inspire young people to learn about themselves by exploring the world of performing arts. While audiences are filling events, funding remains a challenge, with uncertainties around public funding that are driving arts organizations to build innovative partnerships with each other...
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Women's Wealth is Central Ohio's Growth
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
In partnership with The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, this CMC forum unveils on the critical resources that women in Central Ohio need – and often lack – to build wealth. Women face distinct hurdles in accumulating personal wealth, and the implications are huge: according to the Federal Reserve, closing gender and racial wealth gaps could have expanded Ohio’s GDP by a staggering $67 billion from 2005 to 2019. Despite women’s substantial contribution to Central Ohio’s economy, disaggregated research has been lacking—until now. With a panel of passionate leaders, we discuss these...
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The Power of Two Chambers
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce and The Ohio Chamber of Commerce both help drive Ohio’s economy. How do they collaborate to support businesses, and where do they see opportunities for growth in Central Ohio? This conversation explores the biggest challenges facing Ohio’s business climate and the initiatives and partnerships needed to ensure a strong future for the region's employers, workers, and the broader economy. Featuring: Derrick Clay, President & CEO, The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Steve Stivers, President & CEO, The Ohio Chamber of Commerce The host is award-winning news...
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Insights From Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
This CMC forum features a 1:1 conversation with U.S Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, representing Ohio’s Third Congressional District since 2013. We’ll cover Congresswoman Beatty’s legislative priorities and unpack current events in Washington for an in-depth look at the state of federal politics and U.S. democracy. Featuring: Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Third Ohio Congressional District, United States House of Representatives The host is Karen Kasler, Bureau Chief, Statehouse News Bureau. This forum was sponsored by The Robert Weiler Company. The presenting sponsor...
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When Safety Nets Shrink
The Columbus Metropolitan Club
Looming federal budget cuts could mean significant reductions in safety-net services for Central Ohio’s most vulnerable populations, including immigrants and refugees. How will these changes affect our communities, and how are local nonprofit leaders responding? Our expert panel explores what’s at stake and what steps can be taken to mitigate the impact. Featuring: Dr. Seleshi Asfaw, President & CEO, Tewahedo Social Services Elizabeth Brown, President & CEO, YWCA Columbus Michael Corey, Executive Director, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County Shannon Hardin, President, Columbus...
info_outlineWhat does the Federal Reserve actually do—and why should it matter to Central Ohioans? Beth Hammack, the new president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, sits down with CMC to explain her role, how the Fed operates, and how it impacts your paycheck, your mortgage, and our regional economy.
Featuring:
Beth Hammack, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
The host is award-winning news anchor Clay Gordon.
This forum was sponsored by Homeport.
The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC’s livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch.
This forum was also supported by The Ellis.
This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus’ historic Italian Village on April 16, 2025.