2016 Metro Rankings Report: San Antonio, TX Is No. 1 In Economic Growth Potential

San Antonio, TX is the top-ranked metro for Economic Growth Potential in Business Facilities’ 12th Annual Rankings Report; Reno-Sparks, NV and Huntsville, AL placed second and third, respectively.

San Antonio, TX is Business Facilities’ top-ranked metro for Economic Growth Potential in the magazine’s 12th Annual Rankings Report. Reno-Sparks, NV and Huntsville, AL placed second and third, respectively, in BF‘s flagship growth potential ranking.

economic growthBurgeoning specialized sectors in San Antonio include aerospace/aviation; bioscience/healthcare; environmental technology and green energy; financial services; IT/cybersecurity; and manufacturing.

“San Antonio is doing a great job of drawing industry leaders, support firms, talent and capital to form a vibrant economic base that is self-sustaining and exponentially expanding,” BF Editor in Chief Jack Rogers said.

San Antonio’s aerospace industry has grown by over 400 percent in the last 25 years. More than 13,000 San Antonio employees work in the combined aerospace-related maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), manufacturing, military and air transportation services industry. Jobs in the aerospace industry are among the best paying in the region.

Boston, MA is BF‘s top-ranked metro for Tech Startups, followed in the top five by San Jose, CA; Denver, CO; Raleigh-Durham, NC; and Austin, TX. The Tech Startups rankings results track closely with BF’s STEM Growth Leaders results, which included Durham, San Jose and Austin among the top 10.

Memphis, TN topped the chart in BF‘s Logistics Leaders ranking, which evaluated the metros with the strongest assets in all forms of shipping, including air, land, water and rail, and factored in the recent growth of logistics and distribution facilities. “Memphis is a logistics powerhouse, home to the FedEx global hub and America’s first Aerotropolis,” Rogers noted. “The multitude of shipping options in Greater Memphis has made the area the logical choice for companies who are deciding where to put their primary distribution facilities.”

Business Facilities is a national publication that has been the leading location source for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals for more than four decades.

 The complete 2016 BF Rankings Report, including state, metro and international results, is available here.