COLUMBUS, OH -- 07/31/07 --
A new report ranks Ohio best in the Midwest
when it comes to the number of small cities voted "best places to live" by
Money magazine, according to the Ohio Business Development Coalition, a
nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment. The
publication's annual report names six Ohio cities -- more than any other
state in the Midwest. Ohio also ranks third in the nation, tied with Texas,
and was topped only by New Jersey, claiming eight cities and California
with nine.
"Ohio is proud of its many, wonderfully diverse smaller cities," said Ed
Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition.
"But the state is also home to a number of larger metropolitan cities. This
unique mix of micropolitan and metropolitan city structures is what makes
Ohio so appealing and provides executives the resources and time to pursue
both their professional goals and personal aspirations without having to
compromise one for the other. Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance."
The top small cities cover Ohio's geographic regions and include
Beavercreek (Southwest Ohio), Gahanna (Central Ohio), Highland Heights
(Northeast Ohio), Mason (Southwest Ohio), Twinsburg (Northeast Ohio) and
Westerville (Central Ohio). This year's rankings focused on small cities
with populations between 7,500 and 50,000. Criteria were based on education
scores, crime rates, cost-of-living data, housing affordability, racial
diversity, arts and leisure opportunities, ease of living and health-care
access.
Bill Mercurio, CEO and owner of Plastic Trim Inc., a Beavercreek-based
plastics injection molder and extrusion company, says Ohio is the perfect
location for businesses and personal lives to thrive.
"The state's aggressive and profitable business development programs are
coupled with access to a well-trained, educated workforce," said Mercurio.
"Our strategic location in Beavercreek gives us all the low-cost benefits
of working in a small city, but at the same time, we are just minutes away
from professional sporting events, outdoor recreational activities as well
as many educational and cultural events. I am personally very proud to
live, work and play here."
Plastic Trim Inc. supplies materials to the nation's major automakers. The
company's Beavercreek plant has about 143 workers, and expects sales to
reach $40 million this year.
About the Ohio Business Development Coalition
The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that
provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic
development efforts. For more information, visit
http://www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.
For more information about Money magazine's "Best Places to Live" report,
visit http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/
Media Contact:
Dace de la Foret
Paul Werth Associates
614-224-8114, ext. 235
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