Site Selection Magazine, which specializes in corporate real estate and economic development, ranked Pennsylvania third in the nation with 453 new or expanded corporate facilities in 2011.
“This new national recognition verifies that we are moving in the right direction,” Governor Tom Corbett said in a recent news release.
The 2011 number is an increase of over 100 projects from 2010.
The ranking is based on new corporate location projects that met at least one of the following criteria: involved a capital investment of at least $1 million; created at least 50 new jobs or added at least 20,000 square feet of space.
Pennsylvania also received recognition for successful projects in metropolitan areas
throughout the state. Pittsburgh ranked third in tier-one areas with a total of 141
projects. Three Pennsylvania tier two metropolitan areas broke the top 10,
including the Lehigh Valley with 28 projects, Harrisburg-Carlisle with 27 projects
and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with 23 projects. Altoona, Johnstown and Williamsport
all finished in the top 10 for tier-three areas, according to the news release.
“Growth equals low unemployment, vibrant and prosperous communities and a
commonwealth that is built to succeed for generations to come,” Corbett said.