Greater Cincinnati Recognized as Economic Development Leader

Each year, industry standard-bearer Site Selection Magazine issues the Governor’s Cup Award to U.S. states with the most capital investment activity —  overall and per 1 million population — as tracked by the publication’s parent company in the Conway Projects Database. For the fourth consecutive year, Ohio cracked the top five in both Governor’s Cup Award categories, with 467 projects closed in 2017. Kentucky and Indiana also made the top 10 with Kentucky placing second on the list of “Top 10 Per Capita.” 

For 2017, Greater Cincinnati ranked sixth among the magazine’s top 10 metro areas with population greater than one million for new and expanded facilities. This is the fourth year in a row Greater Cincinnati has been recognized and the third year in a row it has been in the top 10. 

The database rankings focus on new corporate facility projects with significant impact, including headquarters, manufacturing plants, R&D operations and logistics sites, among others. To be considered, new facilities and expansions must involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, create at least 20 new jobs or add at least 20,000 sq. ft. of new floor area. 

“Our region is on the rise and we are proud that Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are all in the top 10 overall,” said Johnna Reeder, REDI Cincinnati President & CEO. “We continue to grow, partner and welcome more new and expanded facilities in Greater Cincinnati each year.” 

“The Governor’s Cups recognize not only the winning governors, but their entire economic development teams, and by extension, the many professionals throughout their states who work every day to attract new investment and retain and grow existing businesses,” said Mark Arend, editor-in-chief of Site Selection Magazine. 

Top 10 Metro Areas (pop. over 1 million)

1. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.
2. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas
3. Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, Texas
4. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga.
5. New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.Y.-Pa.
6. Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.
7. Columbus, Ohio
8. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.
9. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind.
10. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif.

 
2017 Top 10 Overall

1. Texas: 594
2. Ohio: 467
3. Illinois: 419
4. Georgia: 218
5. North Carolina: 274
6. California: 262
7. Kentucky: 248
8. Pennsylvania: 185
9. Virginia: 164
10. Indiana: 162

2017 Top 10 Per Capita

1. Nebraska: 110
2. Kentucky: 248
3. Ohio: 467
4. Illinois: 419
5. Georgia: 281
6. Iowa: 86
7. North Carolina: 274
8. Louisiana: 115
9. South Carolina: 119
10. Indiana: 162 

Site Selection Magazine (also available online) delivers expansion planning information to 48,000-subscriber base, most of whom are involved in corporate site selection decisions at the CEO/President/COO level. The magazine is published by Atlanta-based Conway Inc., a trusted advisor to corporations, government economic development and investment promotion agencies worldwide since 1954. Site Selection Magazine is also the official publication of the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC).