Is Columbus ready to hit three million residents? Ready or not, it's a milestone that's just 25 years away, according to estimates. While the surge brings enormous opportunity—more jobs, greater diversity, and increased investment—it comes with high-stakes questions: Is the region truly prepared for what's ahead? And what happens if it isn't?

Columbus is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest, with its metro population expected to rise by 35% and surpass 3 million by 2050. This growth is fueled by millennial migration, international immigration, and a strong economy attracting both businesses and talent.

This forum tackles the most urgent issues shaping the future of a larger, more complex Columbus: how to build a workforce that meets growing demand, how to expand and modernize public transportation, and how changing demographics will redefine the region's cultural and civic landscape.

Featuring:

Rob Dorans, President Pro Tem, Columbus City Council;

Monica Tellez-Fowler, President & CEO, COTA;

Michael Wilkos, Vice President of Community Engagement, United Way of Central Ohio.

The host is Jordan Laird, Politics and Government Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was sponsored by Columbus City Council, COTA, and Downtown Columbus, Inc.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation.

CMC's livestream and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch. This forum was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus' historic Italian Village on July 16, 2025.