Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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Site Selection Magazine, a 54-year-old magazine considered to be a leading economic development publication nationally, has listed the commission as one of the top 10 economic development organizations in North America. The magazine has a readership of 44,000.
Each year Site Selection recognizes the 10 non-state level economic development agencies that excelled in their efforts to attract business-expansion activity relative to other groups. The top groups were chosen based on four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment amount per 10,000 residents. Top groups were ranked according to their scoring in these categories, and then evaluated according to more subjective criteria, including innovative programs, leadership and customer service.
The Piedmont Triad Partnership, led by Don Kirkman, was also listed in the top 10. Other cities who received recognition in the top 10 were: Akron, Ohio; Chicago; Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh; St. Louis; Scranton, Pa.; Sioux City, Iowa and Tupelo, Miss.
EDC Executive Director Steve Googe, just back from a business trip to Italy, was pleased with the results.
“This is a reflection of the efforts of our staff, our broad volunteers, elected officials, educators and the staffs of our cities and county government who serve the mission of creating a positive business environment for companies to grow and prosper,” Googe said in a press release. “It further endorses our philosophy of attracting smaller companies from which we believe most of the new growth will come. We are humbled to be included in a listing of this magnitude and feel the honor will motivate our community to continue to excel as a place to live, work and prosper.”
Two months ago, the Thomasville-Lexington micropolitan area was named No. 1 in Site Selection Magazine’s annual ranking of small towns. To receive the recognition, the Lexington-Thomasville area had to go through some recovery. The community lost about 7,500 jobs, mostly in the textile and furniture sector. Helping the area dig themselves out of the hole, according to Site Selection, was the largest capital investment coming from Unilin Flooring, which announced a $30-million factory expansion in Thomasville.
Another reason for Davidson County receiving the recent honor, Site Selection says, is due to the success of motorsports operations. The county benefits from operations, such as Richard Childress Racing, which announced in late 2007 two expansion projects totaling $9 million, 70 jobs and 118,000 sq. ft.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.