• Concert Group Logistics Moves Office to Rickenbacker Area
• RCS Expands Office at Rickenbacker
• Hyperlogistics Group Hosts ODOT’s Construction Kick-Off Event
• Myrtle Beach Service Starts Later this Month
• Gap Inc. Direct Teams-Up with Columbus State to Support Youth
• Rickenbacker Plans for Future
• Military to Build New Entrance on Second Street
• Motts Military Museum Recruiting Volunteers
• Chick-fil-A Leadercast
• Lockbourne Memorial Day Observance

Illinois-based logistics company Concert Group Logistics (CGL), recently moved its Columbus station, under the leadership of Dwayne Hill, to 6800 Port Road in the Rickenbacker area.

"We opened an office in October 2009 realizing that it was a temporary location while we determined where we wanted to be permanently located," explains Megan Novak, CGL’s Columbus Station Manager. "We believe that being located in the Rickenbacker area will help us better service the transportation needs of our clients as we take advantage of the benefits available from being located in the Foreign-Trade Zone."

Novak also mentioned that CGL’s new location will offer flexible space to handle its clients’ large distributions and room for additional staff members.

"We have also welcomed two new members to our team, Kim Click in Operations and Kellie Mixon in Sales," says Novak.

CGL’s local market experts deliver domestic and international shipping solutions through a network of 27 stations within the U.S., and a global network of over 2,500 qualified partners spanning 500 markets. Founded in 2001, CGL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Express-1 Expedited Solutions.

RCS Logistics, a fast growing multi-million dollar privately held international airfreight forwarder with headquarters in New York and Hong Kong, recently moved to a bigger office in the Rickenbacker area.

"We feel that Rickenbacker is a logical location for our office and helps us expand our services in the Midwest region," said Patti Zanes, Operations/Customer Service Manager at RCS Logistics. "With an increase in business and additional staff members, we needed a bigger office and were able to find an ideal location in the same area – close to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rickenbacker International Airport and container-freight stations."

RCS Logistics was formed in 1985 as H & M International Airfreight. The first office was in the JFK area and operated as an international freight forwarder bonded container freight station and local trucking company. H & M merged with Wollack, owned by Mr. Philip Liu in 1996 and created RCS Logistics. Its core market includes importers of department store merchandise, retail, apparel, footwear and accessories. RCS Logistics opened its first office in the Rickenbacker area in 2008.

With Governor Ted Strickland listening closely, Columbus Regional Airport Authority President & CEO Elaine Roberts addresses the crowd gathered at Hyperlogistics Group to kick-off the Ohio Department of Transportation’s construction season.

The Hyperlogistics Group's warehouse facility in the Rickenbacker area served as the backdrop to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) kickoff to the 2010 construction season.

During 2010 ODOT will award more than $2 billion in transportation construction projects including 130 interstate projects, 300 resurfacing/pavement upgrade projects, 290 bridge and culvert modernizations and many more, including the expansion of Rickenbacker Parkway.

"These investments will put more Ohioans to work building our state's transportation infrastructure in one construction season than ever before," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who officially kicked off the state’s construction season during the April event at Hyperlogistics.

Hyperlogistics was selected as the site of this event due to its location along Rickenbacker Parkway, which thanks to ODOT funding, will be widened from two to four lanes.

"This funding fortifies Ohio's commitment to the logistics industry and further supports continued development of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park," said George Childs, CEO of the Hyperlogistics Group. Hyperlogistics built its national headquarters in the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park to have efficient access to the Norfolk Southern Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal.

"With the Rickenbacker intermodal terminal open for just two years, vehicle traffic along Rickenbacker Parkway is already at 2,400 vehicles a day each way. Over the next 20 years this activity is expected to increase five-fold to nearly 12,000 vehicles a day," explained Columbus Regional Airport Authority President & CEO Elaine Roberts, who also spoke at the event. "Governor Strickland, the Ohio Department of Transportation and many other private and public organizations are working together to assure that economic growth can continue in the Rickenbacker area and throughout Ohio."

Construction will take place during 2010 and 2011 to create two additional lanes along Rickenbacker Parkway from Second Street to about 400 yards east of Hyperlogistics. Earthwork will take place in 2010 with paving occurring in 2011. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2011. During the majority of the construction period there will be no impact to drivers, though minimal disruptions may occur on a limited basis. Updates to the road work project will be published in futures issues of Rickenbacker Area Report.

To the delight of Central Ohio travelers, beginning May 26 they will have the opportunity to fly nonstop from the Rickenbacker Charter Terminal to Myrtle Beach. DirectAir will be returning for its third year to offer the seasonal flights.

The first flight departs May 26 with Wednesday and Saturday service continuing through August. The airline will offer a second Saturday departure during the peak season running mid-June through August.

"Myrtle Beach has always proved to be a popular destination with Central Ohio residents and we expect the 2010 season to continue that trend," said David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development & Communications. "With this service residents have an affordable and convenient option for a nonstop flight while also benefitting from the simplicity of flying from the Rickenbacker Charter Terminal."

To learn more about DirectAir’s service to Myrtle Beach call 877-432-DIRECT (3473).

Each year the Gap Foundation provides Gap Inc. Direct with grant funding to support its mission of preparing youth for a career. This year Gap Inc. Direct has partnered with the Columbus State Community College and announced the Gap MEE Program – Getting Ahead Professionally: Mentoring for Excellence in Employment.

"With the funding, 30 students from 9th to 12th grade will participate in a two-week summer program focused on career exploration skills for development, productivity and retention in the workplace," said Gap Inc. Direct’s Human Resource Specialist/Community Leader, Heather Savage. "The program will also give the students the opportunity to visit our facilities and participate in job shadowing, mock interviewing and presentation techniques. We are excited to be a part of this program and look forward to meeting the students."

Gap Inc. Direct has fulfillment centers in Grove City and Groveport for its Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Piperlime brands. In addition to using state-of-the-art warehouse merchandising equipment, teams ship orders to customers; process returns; and unload, process and sort incoming boxes of merchandise.

On March 15 Gap Inc. presented Columbus State Community College with a $15,000 check to support the Getting Ahead Professionally: Mentoring for Excellence in Employment program. Pictured (left to right) is Gap Inc. Direct’s Human Resource Senior Director Doug Diehl; Human Resource Specialist/Community Leader Heather Savage; Columbus State Community College’s President Dr. Val Moeller and Program Coordinator Stephanie Albrecht; and Gap Inc. Direct’s Vice President Chris Black.

Rickenbacker International Airport’s runway is being rehabilitated to provide airlines, the military and private pilots a smooth landing and takeoff. The airport's other runway will remain open during the improvement project.

As the gateway to the United State's East Coast and Midwest with multiple modes of transportation, the Rickenbacker area, also referred to as Rickenbacker Inland Port, continues to invest in the future. Signs of investment can be found through construction projects scheduled for this year such as improvements at the airport and surrounding roads.

"We are spending approximately $15 million to rehabilitate one of the runways including the installation of new airport direction signs and LED light technology at Rickenbacker International Airport," explains Eric Hensley, Project Manager for the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, the entity that operates Rickenbacker International Airport. "We are also looking into replacing the in-pavement, or flush mounted runway lighting, with new LED fixtures."

The airport is also in the beginning stages of adding additional ramp space to park aircraft at its recently built Air Cargo Terminal #4. The building is on the north side of the airport and is designed to accommodate companies in the logistics industry. The ramp renovation includes construction of a deicer containment system which will facilitate compliance with anticipated future EPA requirements.

Focus has also been given to the roadways in the area with the Rickenbacker Parkway project. The road will be widened from its exiting two lanes to four lanes from Lockbourne Eastern Road on the south side in Pickaway County to Second Street on the north side in Franklin County.

"We received $8.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to widen Rickenbacker Parkway, the road used by transportation companies to safely and swiftly move freight in and out of the intermodal terminal," said Hensley. "We will also add some of our own money toward the project which, when complete, will be a four-lane divided road and will connect future industrial development sites near the intermodal terminal."

Other components of the project include a pedestrian/bike path, street lighting, landscaping, and an irrigation system adjacent to Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park’s Rail and Intermodal Campuses. Construction of this project is scheduled to start in late May and could be completed by December 2011.

"Work on the next phase of Rickenbacker Parkway will extend the four lanes from Second Street through the intersection with Alum Creek Drive/Port Road and improve the State Route 317 intersection," explains Hensley. "Design is underway for this phase and will be complete during the first quarter of 2011 with construction in 2012 and possibly continue into 2013. Funding for this phase is through a federal grant from Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's Surface Transportation Program."

Possible projects being discussed for the near future is a rail spur and new air traffic control tower. Additionally, conversations continue regarding an East-West connector, which would connect the Rickenbacker area and US 23 in northern Pickaway County.

The military is seeking to increase security and awareness of its presence at Rickenbacker International Airport by constructing a new gated entrance.

The military has always had a strong presence at the airport and has been home to active military units through several wars. Now it is home to military units from the Air and Army National Guards, U.S. Army Reserve and Navy/Marine Reserves.

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which oversees the operations of Rickenbacker International Airport, and the military have identified a section of property on the south end of Second Street between A Avenue and Rickenbacker Drive for the new consolidated entrance.

The 300 square-foot main entrance facility will manage access to all military units at Rickenbacker International Airport and is being funded by the military. It will have space for vehicle pull-off, visitor parking and vehicle inspection stations. Construction of the facility is being coordinated by the military and will likely begin this year and conclude in 2011. Once built, the facility will consolidate all access to military property through one primary entrance.

Through traffic on Second Street will end when the project is complete. With construction of the main military entrance and an additional gate on the north side of Second Street, just south of Club Road, the military area at Rickenbacker International Airport will be completely fenced, providing an additional level of security.

The one-of-a-kind Motts Military Museum is preparing to open a new wing focused on the Korean War through the present day and is recruiting volunteers.

"With the vast amount of artifacts donated to the museum, we could use the help in cataloguing them," said Founder Warren Motts. "We need help inputting information into databases."

In addition to preparing for the new wing, the museum could use help at the front desk and giving tours of the Rickenbacker House, a replica of Eddie Rickenbacker’s childhood home.

"We could also use several volunteers who enjoy interacting with the public and could help at least four hours a week," added Margaret Marshall, Motts Military Museum’s Volunteer Coordinator. "I’m looking for people who could greet visitors, work in the gift shop and answer the phone. They don’t necessarily have to be a history buff but it would help if they were interested in the museum’s mission to educate the public on the importance of America’s military."

To volunteer at the museum, contact Marshall at (614) 863-5169.

Community Partners of Southern Franklin County is hosting a one-day event focusing on key elements of being a great leader. The Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a one-day leadership event featuring the world's best leaders speaking about the leadership principles that matter most. Broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of locations around the world, the Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a catalyst for new ideas and better leadership practices.

On May 31, the Village of Lockbourne will host its annual Memorial Day Observance with a parade and program honoring all military personnel who have given their lives in support of our freedom. The event is also dedicated to the military veterans of the area who will be in attendance at this annual event.

The festive parade forms at 11 a.m. at the feed mill on the east side of Lockbourne in order to begin its march at noon. The program is slated to begin at approximately 12:40 p.m. at the Lockbourne Memorial Park.

"We are planning for military involvement including a keynote military speaker and the fly-in of a military helicopter," explained Pastor Bill Danielson, Chairman of the Lockbourne Parade/Program Committee. "Many local military units and individuals will also be participating."

There is still time for your organization to become a part of the parade. Please contact Pastor Danielson at (614) 302-0799 for registration and additional information.