Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases 

Ohio Wins Site Selection Competitiveness Award
State also Ranks #1 in Advanced Energy Manufacturing  

Columbus, Ohio – Site Selection magazine has recognized Ohio with the 2008 Competitiveness Award.  The award recognizes the state-level economic development agency that ranks highest in business expansion activity.  Ohio also ranked #1 in alternative energy manufacturing with 135 projects in the U.S. last year.  The May 2009 edition of the magazine will highlight these awards.

“We appreciate this recognition of the state’s business expansion efforts and economic development competitiveness,” said Governor Ted Strickland. “Ohio has also been ranked as a leader in manufacturing of wind power and other advanced energy technologies, demonstrating our commitment to job creation through investments in these high-growth industries.” 

The award was presented earlier this week at the Industrial Asset Management Council Conference luncheon in Asheville, North Carolina.  The 10 criteria used to select the recipient of the Competitiveness Award were based on project data tracked by Site Selection publisher Conway Data’s proprietary New Plant Database.  The criteria include:

• Total new and expanded facilities per 1 million population in 2008;
• Total capital investment in new and expanded facilities per 1 million population in 2008;
• Total new jobs created at new and expanded facilities per 1 million population in 2008;
• Total actual number of new and expanded facilities in 2008;
• Percentage growth in new and expanded facilities from 2007 to 2008;
• Three-year growth change (from 2005 to 2008) in new and expanded facilities;
• Ranking in Site Selection’s most recent annual business climate survey;
• Number of top 100 metros in the annual ranking of top metros;
• Number of top 100 small towns in the annual ranking of small towns; and
• Number of 100-plus-job projects per 1 million population in 2008.

“Ohio is putting to work our innovative initiatives that will allow us to continue attracting capital investments to the state,” said Lt. Governor Lee Fisher.  “These investments increase our state’s global competitiveness in an ever-changing economy and lay the foundation for economic growth.”

In addition, the Dayton Development Coalition and the Cincinnati USA Partnership were named in Site Selection’s Top 10 Groups in Economic Development from 2008.  This honor recognizes economic development organizations that were exemplary in terms of total jobs created, total capital investment, jobs per capita and capital investment per capita.  The Greater Akron Chamber and the Toledo Regional Growth Partnership received honorable mention in this category.  In the Top Deals from 2008 category, NetJets received an honorable mention.  Top Deals are based on investment, high-value jobs, creativity in negotiations and incentives, regional economic impact, competition and speed to market.

“We are committed to our business community and making Ohio as business-friendly as possible,” said Mark Barbash, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development.  “Businesses realize both the  significant opportunities of operating here as well as the quality of life for their employees in Ohio.”

"Ohio is demonstrating that it can meet today's economic challenges with business-climate improvements, infrastructure assets and new projects," says Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection Magazine. "The state's focus on expanding its economic base beyond legacy industries to renewable energy, life sciences and other key sectors is now bearing fruit."

Additional information about the Competitiveness Award is available at the Site Selection magazine Web site.
 

--30--