Ohio Wins Governor's Cup for Second Year in a Row

3/5/2008 1

Governor Ted Strickland and Lieutenant 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 2007. The March edition of the magazine will highlight the award and Ohio’s
economic accomplishments.
“Ohio is once again proving to the nation, and the world, its leadership in attracting and
supporting new and expanded business facilities,” said Governor Strickland. “This award
would not be possible without our strong partnership with local governments and
business professionals from across the state.”
“In the 21st Century, businesses can choose to locate anywhere in the world and in order
to compete, we’re creating a business environment that supports their success in a global
economy,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as the Director of the Ohio
Department of Development. “We’ve been focusing on a faster, higher quality, and more
flexible response to the economic development needs of Ohio’s citizens, communities,
and businesses. The Governor’s Cup Award and Ohio’s common-sense approach to
securing and retaining business investment demonstrate that Ohio is up to the
challenge.”
Governor Strickland also attributes the win to Ohio’s improved tax climate that gives
Ohio the lowest capital investment tax rate in the Midwest, the state’s world-class
infrastructure, Ohio’s commitment to education reform, workforce development, and
global competitiveness.
In an earlier statement Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted and Ohio Senate President Bill
Harris said:
“By lowering taxes and instituting fiscal discipline we have laid the groundwork for
economic progress for our state, and people are taking notice. Today, Ohio is investing
in high-tech research and disciplines that will help develop the highly-skilled workforce
of tomorrow. These are all qualities business and industry look for when they establish
and grow their companies.
“Today’s award is a validation of our strategy to secure new investments – a strategy
built on lowering taxes on earning and investing in our state and building a talented
workforce to fill the jobs of the future.”
“This honor speaks to the direction Ohio is taking to draw in business and create the jobs
that will sustain the state and make us a hub for innovation and technology in the 21st
Century economy,” said Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty. “It shows the
nation what we already know: that Ohio is a place where people can succeed and thrive.”
Conway Data, Site Selection’s publisher, has since 1978 annually recognized the U.S.
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.
“Winning the Governor's Cup for corporate expansion activity the previous calendar year
indicates that the governor's economic development agenda -- and those who implement
it -- are well attuned to the location requirements of investors in commercial facilities,”
said Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection. “Because we track announcements of
new and expanding facilities, the benefits in terms of job creation have yet to be fully
realized.”
“We must ensure that Ohio fosters a healthier business climate, and this award clearly
shows that we as a state are succeeding in our efforts to attract new businesses and jobs,”
Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller said. “We are creating partnerships to improve our
economic development strategy in a way that prepares our workers to compete in the
global economy. The success we have and will continue to achieve is the result of
teamwork and a commitment to responsive and responsible fiscal management.”
The magazine’s yearly analyses are regarded by corporate real estate analysts as “the
industry scoreboard.” Ohio won the award with 399 projects; Illinois placed second with
362 projects, followed by Tennessee (293), North Carolina (291) and Texas (281).
“This award is a very direct result of the dedication and responsive performance of the
local economic development organizations on the front lines of economic development,”
said Jessica Johnson, President of the Ohio Economic Development Association. “This
recognition also reflects the success of the partnership between the Ohio Department of
Development, the Ohio Business Development Coalition and Team Ohio, the Ohio
Economic Development Association’s sales division, in promoting new investment in
Ohio in 2007.”
This year marks the sixth time Ohio has been awarded the Governor's Cup, receiving the
award in 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, and 2006.
Additional information about the Governor's Cup is available at the Site Selection
magazine Web site at www.siteselection.com

Back to News