COLUMBUS, OHIO – Monday, March 3, 2025 – The Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) proudly celebrates Ohio’s continued dominance in Site Selection magazine’s 2024 rankings, reaffirming the state’s reputation as a premier destination for business investment and job creation.
Ohio remains the only state to consistently rank in the top 5 for both total projects and per capita rankings every year for ten straight years, securing the #3 ranking in 2024 with 565 total projects and a top-three per capita investment ranking. This sustained excellence underscores Ohio’s strategic advantages, strong workforce, and pro-business climate
Understanding the Rankings
Site Selection magazine has been ranking states and cities for business investment since 1978 and introduced the top micropolitan rankings in 2004. The rankings measure private-sector economic development projects that meet at least one of the following criteria: a minimum capital investment of $1 million, creation of at least 20 new jobs, or the addition of at least 20,000 square feet of new construction. These rankings reflect the level of business expansion and investment in communities and serve as a benchmark for economic growth across the country.
Site Selection’s rankings categorize metropolitan areas based on population size:
- Metro Tier 1: Large metropolitan areas with a population of 1 million or more.
- Metro Tier 2: Mid-sized metropolitan areas with a population between 200,000 and 1 million.
- Metro Tier 3: Smaller metropolitan areas with a population between 50,000 and 200,000.
- Micropolitan Areas: Micropolitan areas are defined as counties with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 that serve as economic hubs.
Metro and Micro Standouts
Ohio’s success extends beyond the state-level recognition, with outstanding performances across multiple metro and micropolitan categories:
- Metro Tier 1: Cincinnati ranks #7 nationally with 126 projects. Columbus ranks #8 per capita with 78 projects.
- Metro Tier 2: Dayton takes the #1 spot with 44 projects, while Toledo ranks #9 with 25 projects.
- Metro Tier 3: Lima secures #2 with 10 projects.
- Micropolitans: Ohio leads the nation with 20 micropolitans ranking, accounting for 135 projects. Notable highlights include:
- Hancock County (Findlay) – #1 with 24 projects (10th consecutive win)
- Darke County (Greenville) – #2 with 16 projects
- Tuscarawas County (New Philadelphia-Dover) & Wayne County (Wooster) – Tied at #3 with 15 projects each
- Seneca County (Tiffin) – #6 with 10 projects
- Huron County (Norwalk) – #7 with 9 projects
- Other ranked micropolitans: Defiance County (Defiance), Columbiana County (Salem), Shelby County (Sidney), Sandusky County (Fremont), Crawford County (Bucyrus-Galion), Mercer County (Celina), Gallia County (Gallipolis), Ashland County (Ashland), Logan County (Bellefontaine), Guernsey County (Cambridge), Ross County (Chillicothe), Van Wert County (Van Wert), and Muskingum County (Zanesville).
“These rankings demonstrate the strength of Ohio’s economic development efforts across the state, from our major metros to our dynamic micropolitans,” said David Zak, President & CEO of OEDA. “This success is a testament to the hard work of local, regional, and state-level economic development professionals, our business-friendly environment, and the strong collaboration between public and private sectors.”
Ohio’s top-tier rankings across all categories reinforce its position as a national leader in attracting and retaining business investment. OEDA remains dedicated to fostering economic prosperity and ensuring continued growth for communities statewide by equipping, connecting, and advocating for economic development professionals across the state.
For more information, visit: Site Selection Rankings
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About the Ohio Economic Development Association
Established in 2005, the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA) is one of the leading state economic development associations in the country, with more than 650 members from Ohio’s local, regional, and state economic development organizations and partners. Its mission is to advance the practice of economic development to foster growth, prosperity, and opportunities for all residents of the State of Ohio. It fulfills this mission by helping to expand the knowledge, network, and influence of its members through premier programs like the Ohio Economic Development Institute and events like the OEDA Summit. Learn more at ohioeda.com.