Kansas earns Top 10 ranking in eight of 20 categories
Kansas has been named a Top 10 state in eight of 20 categories in Business Facilities magazine’s 2010 Rankings Report, officials announced today.
The annual Rankings Report rates the 50 states on their economic development efforts, with an emphasis on states that are leading the way in emerging industries such as alternative energy. Kansas was a Top 10 state in the following categories: Economic Growth Potential (10), Biotechnology Strength (5), Biofuels Manufacturing Research (10), Alternative Energy Industry (10), Wind Energy Manufacturing (3), Quality of Life (3), Employment Leaders (5) and Best Education Climate (3).
This is Kansas’ best-ever finish in the Rankings Report, which is designed to be a state-by-state barometer of the national economic outlook. Business Facilities billed this year’s report as the “Recovery Report,” a reference to the states that are leading the nation’s economic recovery.
“I am proud to see yet another esteemed publication reaffirm what we already know – that Kansas is on its way out of the economic recession, better and stronger than ever,” said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson. “This success is only possible because we’ve invested in areas of the economy that are rich with potential, like biosciences and renewable energy, as well as education and workforce training to equip Kansans for these job opportunities.”
The 2010 Rankings Report was especially complimentary of Kansas’ efforts in bioscience industry development, citing the state’s “remarkable progress up the national biotech ladder” and its convening of “industry, higher education and government in a coordinated effort that has made Kansas a national center for animal health research, a leader in pharmaceuticals and an emerging player in bioenergy.” The Rankings Report also identifies Kansas as a leader in “green” industries. Four of the eight categories in which Kansas earned a Top 10 ranking are distinctly green-related.
View the complete report online at www.businessfacilities.com/Rankings/BFJulAug10_STATE_RANKINGS.PDF
Today’s announcement marks the sixth time since May a major media outlet, business publication or survey has recognized Kansas for business excellence.
- On Aug. 11, Kansas was ranked No.3 in Southern Business & Development magazine’s annual “Top Deals and Hot Markets” report, the state’s highest finish ever in the survey. The annual ranking examines 17 Southern states on their business recruitment and retention projects that create and/or retain jobs and capital investment.
- On Aug. 4, Kansas was ranked the nation’s No. 7 most business-friendly state in the Pollina Corporate “Top 10 Pro-Business States” report.
- On June 15, Kansas was ranked No. 11 in CNBC’s annual “America’s Top States for Business” report.
- In June, Area Development magazine named Kansas the winner of the Silver Shovel Award for excellence in job creation and capital investment.
- In May, Kansas was named one of the nation’s 10 most competitive states for capital investment and facility development by Site Selection magazine, a leading publication for site consultants.
In Fiscal Year 2010, the Kansas Department of Commerce facilitated 68 successful site location projects in which Kansas was competing with at least one other state. Those projects produced 13,900 jobs at an average wage of $25 per hour and $838 million in capital investment.
