Articles from Area Development

A new national analysis from Area Development and Chmura Economics & Analytics reveals a fundamental shift in the U.S. map of competitiveness: smaller and mid-size markets are increasingly outperforming major metros on the metrics that matter most to corporate expansion.

Area Development has released its much-anticipated 2025 Top States for Doing Business rankings — and for the 12th consecutive year, Georgia claims the No. 1 spot overall. But this year’s findings reveal a more urgent story: one of tightening project timelines, growing energy demands, and a rising bar for execution in economic development.

Area Development, the leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, is pleased to announce the winners of its 20th Annual Shovel Awards, recognizing U.S. states that achieved outstanding success in attracting high-value business investment projects in 2024.

Area Development, the leading publication covering corporate site selection and economic development, has released the findings of its 39th Annual Corporate Survey and 21st Annual Consultants Survey, providing an in-depth look at the top factors shaping business expansion and location decisions in 2025.

Area Development, the leading publication for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals, has released its annual 2024 Leading Metro Locations Report, offering a comprehensive look at the cities driving America’s economic future. Produced in collaboration with Chmura Economics & Analytics, this year’s report highlights key factors shaping metropolitan success, including workforce availability, economic strength, and affordability.

Area Development’s 38th Annual Corporate Survey and 20th Annual Consultants Survey reflect the impact of current economic pressures, including low unemployment numbers, on corporate executives’ site and facility plans across both small and large companies in diverse industries.

Area Development, the leading site selection and facility planning publication, announces the results of its 2023 Top States for Doing Business survey of location consultants. According to the results, the Top 10 States for Doing Business are Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Alabama, Indiana, Texas, Virginia, and Mississippi, in that order.

Area Development, the leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, recognizes 21 states with its Annual Shovel Awards, which are presented each year to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and company capital investment. States in five population categories — Ohio, Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, and Idaho — are being awarded Gold Shovels in overall recognition of job-creating/investment projects begun in 2022. And, in recognition of the fact that one state — North Carolina — went beyond the Gold Shovel standard, it is being recognized for its achievements with our second annual Platinum Shovel award.

Area Development’s 37th Annual Corporate Survey and 19th Annual Consultants Survey reflect the impact of tight labor markets and inflation on corporate executives’ site and facility plans across a range of small and large companies in varied industries.

Area Development, the leading site selection and facility planning publication, announces the results of its 2022 Top States for Doing Business survey. According to the results, the Top 10 States for Doing Business are Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Mississippi, in that order.

Area Development, the leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, recognizes 18 states with its Annual Shovel Awards, which are presented annually to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and company capital investment. States in five population categories — Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Kentucky, and Kansas — are being awarded Gold Shovels in overall recognition of job-creating/investment projects begun in 2021. And, in recognition of the fact that two states — North Carolina and Tennessee — went beyond the Gold Shovel standard, they are being recognized for their achievements with our new Platinum Shovel awards.

Area Development’s 36th Annual Corporate Survey and 18th Annual Consultants Survey reflect the continued impact of the global pandemic on corporate executives’ site and facility plans across a range of small and large companies in varied industries.

Area Development, the leading site selection and facility planning publication, announces the results of its 2021 Top States for Doing Business survey. According to the results, the Top 10 States for Doing Business are Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida, in that order.

Area Development, the leading publication covering site selection and facility planning, recognizes 20 states with its Gold & Silver Shovel awards, which are presented annually to the states that have achieved the most success in terms of new job creation and company capital investment. States in five population categories — Texas, North Carolina, Arizona, Utah, and Kansas — are being awarded Gold Shovels in overall recognition of job-creating/investment projects begun in 2020. Gold Shovels for their manufacturing achievements, in particular, are being awarded to Alabama, Indiana, and Michigan. Silver Shovels are being awarded to 12 other states.