Ohio Secures Top Spot in Global Groundwork Index for Unprecedented Growth and Strategic Investments
In a groundbreaking achievement, Ohio has emerged as the number one state in the Global Groundwork Index, according to Site Selection magazine. This prestigious ranking is based on an in-depth analysis of job creation, capital expenditures, and strategic infrastructure development from 2019 through July 2023. Ohio’s remarkable success can be attributed to its unwavering commitment to making strategic investments that will shape its future.
The state’s Governor, Mike DeWine, expressed his pride in Ohio’s top ranking, emphasizing the significance of these strategic investments for the state’s future. Governor DeWine highlighted the winning formula that has propelled Ohio to the forefront: the preparation of large-scale sites for industrial development, the reinforcement of statewide infrastructure, the nurturing of a skilled workforce, the streamlining of regulatory processes, and collaborative efforts with private industry. To sustain this momentum, Ohio has allocated a staggering $1.5 billion from its operating budget towards new investments in industrial sites, water infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment, building demolition and site revitalization, and rural industrial parks.
Ohio’s number one ranking in the Global Groundwork Index is a testament to the seamless integration of public infrastructure development and private-sector business expansion. The state’s business-friendly policies, visionary public investments, and the unparalleled responsiveness of JobsOhio, along with their specialized industrial sector teams and a robust network of private economic development partners, make Ohio the ultimate destination for strategic growth.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted lauded the collaborative efforts of the administration, the General Assembly, and JobsOhio, highlighting their strategy to enhance infrastructure, including roads, bridges, broadband, water systems, and more. These comprehensive infrastructure improvements have positioned Ohio as the ideal location for new and existing businesses to flourish.
The methodology behind Site Selection’s Global Groundwork Index is truly one of a kind. The index examines five years’ worth of data from the Conway Projects Database corporate facility projects, combined with data from the Federal Permitting Dashboard and OECD infrastructure data. This unique approach provides an insightful snapshot of where public and private physical facility investments converge for the greater public good and increased prosperity.
Working in unison, Ohio has welcomed over 102,129 new job commitments and an astounding $62.24 billion in capital investments from 2019 to 2023, as confirmed by JobsOhio data. Notably, Ohio’s major metropolitan areas have also excelled, with Columbus securing the second spot and Cincinnati claiming the fifth position in Site Selection’s top metropolitan ranking nationally.
J.P. Nauseef, the President and CEO of JobsOhio, celebrated Ohio’s resurgence as an economic powerhouse in the Midwest. The state’s top ranking in the Global Groundwork Index has been bolstered by high-profile investments from leading companies such as Abbott, Amgen, Ford, GM, and Intel, among others. Ohio’s industrial diversity, coupled with its investments in innovation districts, data centers, broadband networks, and vibrant communities, has created an unparalleled business climate and enhanced the quality of life in the state.
For further insights into why businesses gravitate towards Ohio and its ascent to the top, visit the JobsOhio website. Ohio’s extraordinary accomplishments and dedication to strategic investments have firmly established it as a global leader in economic growth and prosperity, setting an exemplary benchmark for other states to emulate.
