Ohio Ranks Best in the Midwest for Business Climate;
DATELINE: COLUMBUS, Ohio Nov. 7
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio ranks best in the Midwest and among the top ten states in the nation in SITE Selection's annual state business climate analysis. According to the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC), the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment, Ohio's supportive business environment and access to an educated, talented workforce create an ideal location for business success.
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"The most important site selection factor is the fantastic talent base here," said Bill Pardue, president and CEO of Qbase, an Ohio-based company that recently announced a multi-million-dollar expansion project within the state. "In Ohio, we have access to well-qualified employees and see fewer turnovers than the national average. There is also a fabulous opportunity to collaborate with colleges and universities for research and development."
Business leaders also cite Ohio's business-friendly tax reform as a benefit to doing business in the Buckeye state. Ohio's state taxes are projected to be the lowest in the Midwest for companies making new capital investments. Just two years after implementation, the new tax code is already growing the state's diverse economy, improving the standard of living and enhancing Ohio's standing in an increasingly competitive market.
SITE Selection based 50 percent of the total score on a survey of corporate real estate decision makers and 50 percent from data associated with actual project activity as tracked by SITE Selection's proprietary New Plant database. Each state's performance is scored in four categories including: the state's overall rank in total qualifying new or expanded projects; new plant performance; rank per million population; and rank per 1,000 square miles. Corporate site selectors then indicate which 10 states they think have the best business climate based on their experience of managing property assets around the country.
Ohio's economy is built upon a legacy of strength in manufacturing and innovative thinking. Many global companies representing a multitude of industries call Ohio home, including 60 Fortune 1000 businesses that are headquartered in the state.
"Businesses are realizing the opportunities and resources the state of Ohio offers for success," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "In addition to its long history of innovation and access to a highly-skilled talent base, Ohio also offers low-cost, low stress communities and a unique tapestry of micropolitan and metropolitan cities. This diversity provides executives and employees the resources and time to make any ambition achievable. Business owners profit from the bottom- line benefits of better work:life balance for their employees. Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance."
About the Ohio Business Development Coalition
The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information, visit http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com/ .
CONTACT: Dace de la Foret, Paul Werth Associates, +1-614-224-8114, ext.
235, delaforet@paulwerth.com , for Ohio Business Development Coalition
Web site: http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com/
SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition