What Are the Best Cities for Manufacturing?

The January issue of Expansion Management Magazine picks the 50 "hottest" cities (metro areas) for manufacturing? Which city heads the list? How about Jacksonville, Florida--a 3-time top favorite in the past five years. What makes Jacksonville the pick of the litter? Jerry Mallot, Executive V.P. of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber, says that its image, workforce and strategic market location. Most importantly, the area's image and reality are consistent.

Which cities round out the top ten:

1. Jacksonville, FL.
2. Phoenix, AZ
3. Atlanta, GA.
4. Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC.
5. Colorado Springs, CO.
6. Kansas City, MO.-KS.
7. Nashville, TN.
8. Norfolk/Virginia Beach, VA.
9. Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater, FL.
10. Tulsa, OK.

Sadly, my hometown Cleveland, did not make the top 50 list. In fact, none of the Ohio metros made the list. Some of Cleveland's out-of-state rivals did however: Indianapolis (#14); Pittsburgh (#19); Chicago (#22); Baltimore (#40); Louisville (#43); and Buffalo (#50).

How were the rankings undertaken? Expansion Management polled 75 top site selection consultants. What was the question? Which cities were doing the best job of presenting themselves as prime locations for growing manufacturing companies, and then delivered on that claim? Not exactly a scientific study, but nevertheless polls like this one can be effective in understanding "perceptions." You've heard the cliche before: "Perception may not be the same as reality, but people tend to rely on their perception in making decisions."

Since we are doing more work on the manufacturing front, you can expect to hear more from us on this issue.

Where can you get the article? Contact Bill King, Editor of Expansion Management Magazine at: 913-236-4229. You can find Expansion Management on the web here.