January/February 2012 Issue (Volume 45, Number 1)

Business Facilities: January/February 2012

First Word | Bigger and Better

Snapshots: 60 Seconds | with Chris Cummiskey, Commissioner Of The Georgia Department Of Economic Development

Business Report: Louisiana Keeps Moving Up Way Down South | Best-in-the-nation workforce training and technology incentives are growing high-quality jobs in the Bayou State.

2011 Economic Development Deal Of The Year Awards

  • Gold: Kentucky-Ford Partnership
  • Silver: Continental Tire-South Carolina
  • Bronze: First Solar-Arizona
  • Honorable Mentions

State Of The Year: Utah | When the folks in the Beehive State climbed to the top of our flagship Best Business Climate ranking last summer, we knew it was only a matter of time before they planted their flag on our awards summit: Utah is our 2011 State of the Year.

Business Report: Mississippi Aims To Move To The Head Of The Creative Class | A new governor has the Magnolia State focusing on an emerging clean-energy industry and a creative economy.

Industry Focus: Ships, Planes, Trains And Automobiles | For the latest info on thriving distribution centers, all roads lead to our roundup.

Feature Story: Renewable Energy Is Generating Greenbacks | Sky-high expectations that renewable energy would be the growth driver of the new economy are giving way to market-driven realities. The outlook for alt energy is still sunny, and the smartest players have the wind at their backs.

Feature Story: Aerotropolis Update | Find out which airport cities are landing in the heart of 21st Century urban planning by embracing the aerotropolis concept for high-flying growth.

Business Report: Ontario – Going Green By Keeping Fit | A pioneering feed-in-tariff (FIT) program yields long-term pricing for electricity generated by alternative energy.

Business Report: Florida – Shines Its Light On Innovation | With its population increasing as fast as its GDP, the Sunshine State is tying its ambitious job-creation juggernaut to innovative industry clusters and high-wage jobs.

Business Report: Washington – Aerospace Aims Higher | The global aerospace manufacturing hub of the Pacific Northwest is focusing on new investments in training and a statewide coalition on competitiveness to maintain its lofty position as the industry leader.

Inside LiveXchange: 2012 | Our 7th annual LiveXchange event in San Diego matched site selectors with economic development pros for some intense, productive dealmaking. Here’s an inside look.

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