On March 1, we were excited to announce the Springfield metropolitan area has ranked 2nd in the nation, among metros of our size, when it comes to new or expanded economic development projects.
The report, published in the March edition of Site Selection Magazine, showed us moving up three spots from last year when we were in 5th place.
The rankings were determined by the number of new corporate location projects with significant impact – retail, schools, government, and hospital projects excluded.
To qualify, the projects had to have involved at least $1 million in capital investments, created 50 new jobs or added at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area.
We had 12 qualifying projects, including:
seepex, Inc., 511 Speedway Drive. A leader in the engineering and manufacturing of custom industrial pumping equipment.
- $8.7 million expansion.
- 40 new, highly technical jobs added to current workforce of 92.
Thirty-One Gifts, 1000 Titus Road. A rapidly growing direct-sales company of purses, totes and other accessories, sold via more than 35,000 independent sales representatives.
- $6 million new investment.
- 500 new full-time jobs in three years.
YAMADA North America, 9000 Columbus-Cincinnati Road, South Charleston. A major supplier of steering columns, drive shafts, water and oil pumps to Honda.
- $19.6 million expansion
- 57 new jobs in three years.
The other nine projects were just as significant, making Greater Springfield the only Ohio metro area in its population category – 50,000 to 200,000 residents – to make the list.
We would not have reached this significant milestone without a collaborative vision and the hard work and dedication of our partners who helped us take some giant steps in 2011.
We’ll keep moving forward in 2012 with the development of Prime Ohio II and Champion City industrial parks all the while working with our existing businesses on hiring, investing, training and expansion, as well as aggressively seeking out new businesses to expand into our community.
I’m anxious to see where we’ll be in 2013.
Have a great Chamber day!
