Ohio Attracts More Businesses Than Any Other State for Fourth Consecutive Year

Columbus, Ohio, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The state of Ohio has once again beat out every other state in the nation in the race to bring in new business. Site Selection Magazine, one of the nation's leading location assistance publications, has awarded the state of Ohio its fourth consecutive Governor's Cup Award for leading the nation in new and expanded facilities in 2009.

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According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, the Governor's Cup Award further demonstrates that Ohio's purposeful redesign of its business climate is making the state an ideal location for businesses to compete in a 21st century global economy.

Site Selection Magazine's March issue highlights Ohio's efforts in leading the nation in new business development and expansion in both micropolitan and metropolitan categories, as well as the state's overall achievements in economic investments.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland attributes Ohio's fourth consecutive Governor's Cup win to the state's manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce and competitive business environment.

"One of the reasons I believe in Ohio is that companies know Ohio is a great place to do business," Governor Strickland said.  "We have reduced taxes and regulations, we have increased the skills and education of our workforce, and we have been recognized once again by setting the pace for the nation in new and expanded capital investments."

The No. 1 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 won the award with 381 projects. Texas ranks second in the nation with 374 projects, followed by Michigan (371), Pennsylvania (333) and Tennessee (234) to round out the top five.

This year marks the eighth time Ohio has been awarded the Governor's Cup, receiving the award in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Ohio Business Development Coalition executive director Ed Burghard cites three key reasons for Ohio's business attraction success, including the purposeful redesign of Ohio's business climate, the state's world-class assets in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing and focused academic support that enables business success.

"Ohio's business redesign includes strategic tax reform that encourages global success and makes the state the ideal location to profitably compete in the global marketplace," said Burghard.

"Winning the 2009 Governor's Cup for the last four years in a row means that, after completing due diligence, CEOs decided Ohio was the ideal location for their business more often than any other state in the country," continued Burghard. "What's also appealing is the lack of congestion in Ohio allows executives and employees to enjoy professional success without having to sacrifice personal aspirations. Ohio provides people the opportunity for a life in perfect balance."

Ohio also was recognized for having several cities ranked in the top 10 metropolitan and micropolitan categories for new and expanded corporate facilities, proving the business strength of its five distinct regions and urban areas.

• Cincinnati/Middletown ranked 6th respectively among metropolitan areas with populations of over one million.
• Dayton swept the top spots again for the second year in a row in mid-sized metropolitan areas with a population between 200,000 and one million.
• Wooster, Ashtabula and Findlay ranked 2nd, 6th, and 10th respectively among micropolitan cities of 10,000 to 50,000 in population.

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment. The OBDC provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information on business development or business relocation, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.

For more information about the Governor's Cup Award, visit www.siteselection.com.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition