SB&D 100 Introduction and Methodology

We can't think of a better way to judge a state's attractiveness to industry each year than to count and identify the companies making significant commitments to that state. That's what we do with the annual SB&D 100. We count the number of companies making commitments of 200 jobs or more and/or $30 million in investment or more. We feel very strongly that major corporate announcements are a better measure of a state's willingness and ability to accommodate your deal than any other measure that's available.

The annual ranking of the top 100 corporate job and investment announcements in the South gives you critical insight into areas of the South that could become a future home for your company. If you are expanding, relocating or simply launching a new company in the South, the SB&D 100 will guide you to the hottest states and markets in the region. By studying the SB&D 100 as well as the "Just Missed Deal" sections, you'll discover which markets in the South hold certain industry clusters -- clusters that you may serve or may serve you in the future.

All announcements found in the SB&D 100 were made public by a representative of the company that is listed. Job and investment totals are those that have been projected by a company spokesperson over a three-year period. Only new, expanded and relocated selected service and manufacturing projects are eligible for the SB&D 100. Governmental projects, such as prisons and military bases are eligible, however, retail, lodging and some entertainment-based announcements are not. Real estate developments such as office buildings and industrial parks are not eligible.

Ten points are earned for each SB&D 100 announcement and five points are given for each JMD (just missed deal). This year's thresholds are as follows: SB&D Job 100: 600 jobs or more; SB&D Investment 100: $80 million or more; Job JMD: 200 jobs to 599 jobs; Investment JMD: $30 million to $79.99 million.