News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2007

Columbus, OH -- The State of Ohio is the proud recipient of the 2006 Governor's Cup from Site Selection Magazine for its efforts in leading the nation in new and expanded business facilities. The magazine's March edition highlights Ohio's achievements and economic investments.

"It is a great honor for Ohio to be recognized as the nation's leading state for facilitating new business growth and expansion," said Governor Ted Strickland.

The number one ranking for Ohio was based on the number of private capital investments for new or expanded facilities that: involved an investment of at least $1 million; created a minimum of 50 new jobs; or added at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. According to Site Selection's rankings, Ohio had 431 facilities that met these criteria. Texas, the 2005 recipient, ranked second with 363 projects, while North Carolina finished third with 316 projects.

"While the talented and innovative staff at the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) strives daily to expand Ohio's economy, participation from economic development stakeholders across the state has been a vital component of Ohio's overall success," said Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "The continued collaborations between ODOD and economic development organizations such as the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the Ohio Economic Development Association, and regional chambers of commerce are critical for stimulating future expansion. Working together we can identify and address growth needs for new and existing businesses through workforce development, rural and urban broadband access, smart land use policies and stronger regional economies."

Ed Burghard, Executive Director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition added, "This is a real testament to the economic development community's ability to articulate what Ohio has to offer the capital investor's the ability to achieve professional and personal aspirations without the need to sacrifice one for the other. This balance without compromise has proven to be important to executives looking to relocate or expand their companies."

This year marks the fifth time Ohio has been awarded the Governor's Cup, receiving the award in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 2003.

Additional information about the Governor's Cup is available at the Site Selection Magazine website at www.siteselection.com .

For more information on economic data from 2006 and previous years visit the Ohio Department of Development Office of Strategic Research at www.odod.state.oh.us/research/.

And to view photos of the Governor's Cup, please click the following links:
Governor's Cup 1
Governor's Cup 2