Intel Ohio One's Delayed Timeline: What It Means for Central Ohio Homebuyers

Large construction site with cranes beside Licking County farmland.

Intel now targets 2030 and 2031 for its two Ohio One buildings, years after the original plan. Here is what is confirmed, what is not, and how relocating and rightsizing buyers can plan around a project that keeps moving.

Few projects have shaped conversation about Central Ohio's future like Intel's Ohio One campus in Licking County. If you are relocating nearby, or thinking about whether to buy east of Columbus, the question is practical: how much should a project timeline influence a home purchase? Here is what the most recent reporting says, what it does not, and a sensible way to plan.

What Is the Current Timeline for Intel Ohio One?

According to a WHIO report from March 13, 2026, Intel still targets 2030 to finish the first building and 2031 for the second. The original completion date was 2025, and the article notes Intel announced two construction delays, the latest the prior year. It does not give a date for when the plant will begin operating, only completion targets for the two buildings.

That report is the most recent detailed timeline I could confirm for this article, so check for newer announcements before relying on it for a decision.

How Much Has Been Spent So Far?

The same report says Intel spent more than $1.53 billion in 2025 on the campus, east of Columbus in Licking County, including completing major underground utility installation. Total capital spending there now stands at $5.26 billion. That is real money and real construction, even on a longer timeline.

What About Jobs?

This is where expectations and reality differ the most. Intel initially projected 3,000 jobs in Licking County. Through 2025, according to WHIO, the company reported 162 employees on site, drawn from communities across Ohio. Permanent plant employment follows the plant's schedule, which is one reason timing matters for anyone hoping to live and work nearby.

Is the Local Job Market Still Growing?

Yes, and not only because of Intel. Axios Columbus reported on September 8, 2026 that Licking County had the largest year-over-year jobs increase in the country, at 3.6%, for March 2025 to March 2026, and mentioned Intel One construction in its coverage. The article does not break down which employers drove that increase, and the figures are preliminary, so avoid assuming Intel alone explains the number.

What Does This Mean for Home Prices?

Honestly, nobody can say precisely, and a project timeline alone does not set the price of a home. For context, The Columbus Team's August 2026 report put the Central Ohio median sale price at $345,500, up 2.2%, with 6,124 active listings, 2.4 months of supply and a median of 30 days on market. Sellers averaged 96.9% of their original list price. Those are regional numbers and say little about a single street in Licking County.

What a delayed timeline does change is how much certainty you should assume. If a purchase only works if a particular employer opens on a particular date, that is a fragile plan.

How Should Relocating and Rightsizing Buyers Plan Around It?

Buy for how you will live, not for a headline. A home that fits your budget, your commute and your daily routine works whether a plant opens in 2030 or 2032. A few practical steps help:

• Decide what you need from the location today: commute, amenities, size and monthly cost.

• Drive the commute at real hours, including how Licking County and Franklin County routes feel during peak times.

• Ask for recent sales on the specific streets you are considering, not just a township or city figure.

• Keep your budget flexible enough to absorb surprises rather than stretching on expectations about future appreciation.

• Read association documents and property tax information carefully, since both affect your true monthly cost.

What If You Are Already Under Contract or Own Nearby?

If you already own near the campus, resist the urge to read every headline as a signal to buy or sell. Decisions are better driven by your own timeline: when you want to move, what you want to do next, and what the home would realistically sell for today based on recent sales. If you are under contract on a purchase, lean on your inspection, appraisal and financing terms, which protect you whether or not a project moves on schedule.

What Should You Watch Going Forward?

Keep an eye on official announcements, state and county reports, and local news coverage. Delays can change plans for roads, utilities and surrounding development, so it can also help to review local planning documents if you are considering a home near the campus. A good agent can point you to the right sources and keep you from reading too much into any single headline.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Intel Ohio One be finished?

According to a March 2026 WHIO report, Intel targets 2030 for the first building and 2031 for the second. The original date was 2025, and no operating start date was given.

How much has Intel spent on Ohio One?

WHIO reported more than $1.53 billion in 2025, bringing total capital spending on the Licking County campus to $5.26 billion.

How many people work at Intel Ohio One?

Intel initially projected 3,000 jobs. Through 2025, WHIO reported 162 employees on site.

Will Intel's delay affect home prices?

No one can say precisely. A project timeline does not set the price of any one home. Regional data and recent sales on your specific street are better guides.

How should I plan a home purchase near the Intel site?

Buy for how you will live, not for a headline. Test the commute at real hours, ask for recent nearby sales, and keep your budget flexible.

If you are considering a home in Licking County or elsewhere east of Columbus, I would be glad to compare options with you, pull recent sales for the streets you like, and help you plan around your commute and budget. No pressure, just a clear view.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.