Pennsylvania's Online Business Site Search Earns National Recognition for Helping Business Start-up, Expand, or Relocate

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Corbett administration recently announced that PASiteSearch.com, the commonwealth's web-based business location search tool, was recognized as one of the top 10 websites in the State Rankings of Best Economic Development Site Selection Website Services for its ability to help businesses start up, expand or relocate in Pennsylvania.

"Governor Corbett is building a stronger Pennsylvania where companies are growing and out-of-state businesses are looking to locate," Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker said. "Speed and ease for businesses to access a wealth of information when determining an ideal location is an important factor in today's fast-paced business world."

"This recognition confirms that Pennsylvania is leading the way and providing businesses an entry point to see why Pennsylvania is built to advance." 

The analysis, compiled by urban and regional planning consulting firm Sigala Inc., compared and ranked the online site selection assistance websites of all 50 states, based on how well each state performed in four categories: lead generation, community search, property search and location analysis.

Sigala Inc. ranked PASiteSearch.com seventh in overall excellence across the nation – ranking second among large states by population and third among other northeastern states. The search site received the top ranking for its community search function, tying with nine other states, which allows companies to effectively select the correct community to meet its business needs. The state's location search tool ranked fifth for its website's property search functionality, which enables companies to find a specific location for its business.

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation (Team PA) launched PASiteSearch.com in 2010 to position the state with a competitive advantage in the corporate site selection process. Built by GIS Planning Inc., the website was the first in the nation to directly integrate critical portions of site selection information through the state's website in the form of widgets.

In 2014, the Corbett administration updated the search tools, enhancing the functionality to include business data and heat maps. Businesses looking to expand, relocate or put roots in Pennsylvania can search thousands of shovel-ready sites by demographics, location and assets. The state-of-the-art tool uses a Google Maps interface and provides valuable information on labor force, consumer spending and transportation. Today, the project is managed by DCED, in partnerships with Team PA, PPL Corporation and PECO.

Sigala Inc. performed a quantitative analysis of every state's site selection website service from September 2013 to January 2014. States were ranked across the four main categories and by 300 individual measurement variables within each category.

For more information, visit www.newpa.com/business/pasitesearch.

Media Contact: Steve Kratz, 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development