Ohio win’s Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup & Toledo ranks third
This in via e-mail by the Governor’s office, also worthy of pointing out locally is that Toledo ranked third behind Dayton and Arkon for the number of projects in 2008 in a municipality with a population of 200,000 to one million.
Ohio Leads the Nation in New and Expanded Business Facility Investment
Wins Governor’s Cup for Third Straight Year
Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today joined members of Ohio’s business and economic development communities and Ohio General Assembly to announce that the State of Ohio has been awarded Site Selection magazine’s Governor’s Cup Award for leading the nation in new and expanded facilities in 2008. The March edition of the magazine will highlight the award and Ohio’s economic accomplishments, which include 12 cities around the state with top 10 rankings.
“This award serves as an important reminder that our commitment to phasing in comprehensive tax reforms, while investing in sustainable sectors of the economy, is positioning Ohio for recovery and long-term economic growth,” Strickland said. “But we will not rest for a moment in the midst of this national recession. Our budget continues to prioritize investments in education, health care and job-creating tax relief to encourage capital investment and grow Ohio’s economy.”
“The combination of a meaningful, targeted investment strategy, when coupled with our state’s comprehensive tax reform, is leading companies to discover just how beneficial a capital investment in Ohio can be,” said Lt. Governor Fisher. “Ohio’s strengths in innovation and manufacturing excellence render a diverse economic portfolio that is attractive from a broad span of business perspectives.”
This year marks the seventh time Ohio has been awarded the Governor’s Cup, receiving the award in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The occasion marks the third win in a row for Ohio and the state’s fourth in six years.
“Businesses continue to discover the benefits of investing in Ohio,” said Mark Barbash, interim director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Site Selection’s award of the Governor’s Cup to Ohio for the third consecutive year designates our state as the preferred location for capital investment, where companies find a state of perfect balance between business pursuits and quality of life.”
Governor Strickland attributes Ohio’s third consecutive Governor’s Cup win to the state’s manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce, and our competitive business environment.
“This award is an important reminder that even during challenging times, we can and must find ways to attract business and create jobs,” said Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish. “Let us use this momentum to continue building and growing Ohio’s economy with innovation and creative solutions.”
The City of Dayton played an outstanding role this year, ranking number one in the category for mid-sized metropolitan areas with populations between 200,000 and one million.
“We are proud to be recognized for our role in helping Ohio earn the Governor’s Cup award for successful economic development expansion activities over the past year,” Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said. “Despite challenging economic conditions, this award illustrates that Dayton and the surrounding region is making steady progress in our efforts to stimulate economic growth. Local efforts to turn formerly vacant brownfield sites into exciting new development opportunities, like Tech Town, are clearly being recognized by industry analysts who monitor these new trends.”
Conway Data, Site Selection’s publisher, has since 1978 annually recognized the state with the most new and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by its New Plant database. The New Plant database focuses on new corporate location projects that meet at least one of three criteria: (a) involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, (b) create at least 50 new jobs or (c) add at least 20,000 sq. ft. of new floor area.
“As with Ohio’s previous Governor’s Cup wins, the 2008 award demonstrates that companies will invest in those industrial states that are taking the steps needed to be competitive, especially in today’s economic context,” says Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection. “It is not enough to say your state is ‘pro-business.’ Site selectors are looking for specific measures to be in place, and Ohio is delivering.”
“I am pleased that Ohio has gained more national recognition for our commitment to creating jobs and cultivating economic development to improve the lives of all Ohioans,” said Ohio Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro. “I hope this award is a building block toward our goal of a brighter and more prosperous future for every corner of the state.”
The magazine’s yearly analyses are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as “the industry scoreboard.” Ohio won the award with 503 projects; Texas placed second with 497 projects, followed by Michigan (296), Pennsylvania (290) and North Carolina (245). More Ohio cities ranked in the top 10 metropolitan and micropolitan categories for new and expanded corporate facilities than any other state in the nation.
Dayton, Akron and Toledo swept the top three spots ahead of all other mid-sized metropolitan areas with a population between 200,000 and one million, with Youngstown tied for 7th. Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland ranked 4th, 8th and 9th respectively among metropolitan areas with populations of over one million. Wooster, Ashtabula and Wapakoneta ranked 6th, 7th, and 9th respectively among micropolitan cities of 10,000 to 50,000 in population.
We congratulate all of these cities on their recognition, indicating the diligent efforts of their elected officials, economic development professionals, and private sector leaders as they worked together to retain and attract capital investment in our state.
Additional information about the Governor’s Cup is available at the Site Selection magazine Web site, which can be accessed here
