DCI Releases “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing” Survey

Texas, North Carolina and Georgia have the best business climates among the 50 states, according to a recent survey of executives by Development Counsellors International.

North Carolina ranked second among the 281 respondents, with 30 percent saying the state has the best business climate.

Texas was No. 1 among 41 percent of survey participants, while Georgia was third (20 percent). They were followed by Tennessee and Florida (15 percent each) and Nevada (14 percent).

Executives frequently cited a strong labor market and low operating costs in selecting the top states.

The poll placed California, New York and Michigan at the bottom.

China, India and Mexico were selected as the top countries outside the U.S. for investment.

Development Counsellors’ “Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing” survey has tracked development trends since 1996. This is the first year respondents were asked to rank the business favorability of the world's 25 largest countries outside the U.S.

"With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey," said DCI President Andrew T. Levine. "Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location's business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs."

The comprehensive survey also asked a series of questions to divine the most effective economic development marketing tools, the leading sources of information that influence executive perceptions of a community's business climate and the most important factors in business location decisions.

Considered the leader in marketing places, Development Counsellors International (DCI) specializes in economic development and tourism marketing. The agency has worked for more than 350 cities, regions, states and countries since it was established in New York City in 1960.

For a free copy of the full "Winning Strategies" survey report or an executive summary, visit www.aboutdci.com/winningstrategies.aspx.