Once again, Texas was ranked as number one by the Site Selection Governor’s Cups. It’s in its sixth-year recognizing states with the most qualifying new and expanded facilities per capita.
According to Site Selection, Texas won for having the most qualified projects of any state. Although the Atlanta-based magazine has only recognized the state with the most qualifying new and expanded facilities per capita, the Governor’s Cup has been awarded annually since 1988. The magazine bases the results on the new and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by the proprietary Conway Projects Database.
Texas finished 2017 with 594 projects which is down from 2016’s 642 projects. Ohio came in second with 467 projects, followed by Illinois with 419 projects, Georgia with 281 projects, and North Carolina with 274 projects. Nebraska was also at the top of the list for its total projects per capita.
“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,” Mark Arend, Site Selection’s editor-in-chief is quoted as saying. “Governors Abbott of Texas and Ricketts of Nebraska credit their states’ workforces as their competitive edge and are taking steps to ensure their supply of labor continues to meet the requirements of investing businesses now and in the future.”
Although Texas faired well in the overall rating, the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas metropolitan area ranked second in the top 10 metro areas with tier one new and expanded facilities in 2017 with a total of 196.
Gov. Greg Abbott accepted the award at the Texas Governor’s Mansion in March.
“I am tremendously proud of our state for continuing a tradition of excellence and winning this award for the sixth year in a row,” Gov. Abbott is quoted as saying in a press release. “Our highly skilled workforce and the entrepreneurs and innovators who call Texas home are keys to Texas’ success. Job creators across this state play a crucial role in helping Texas maintain our status as a place where people can look to for freedom and limitless opportunity.”
