2002 SB&D 100 State Summary

By Mike Randle

Alabama must bring its reporting of deals at least up to 1980s levels. The Alabama Development Office, which is the primary reporting source, doesn't report anything but manufacturing announcements. What's with that? Still, Alabama is a pretty steady state. Like it was for other Southern states, 2001 was a year to forget in Alabama.

Arkansas is doing everything it can to improve its job and investment generation. The new director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development is a keeper. He will improve things in time. I'd like to see some infrastructure put in place to attract large users. Jonesboro turned one of the top 10 deals of the year with the Nestle USA announcement. But other than that, Arkansas' big deals didn't surface last year.

It was a monster year for Florida when just about every other state saw their numbers drop through the floor. Florida is our "State of the Year" with 645 points after earning 425 last year. Tampa Bay wins Megamarket of the Year and Orlando wins the Major Market award. The Florida High Tech Corridor, which runs from Tampa Bay through Orlando to the east coast of the state has hit a homerun. But it wasn't just central Florida that showed in 2001. Miami-Dade had one of its best years as did adjoining Broward County. And Pensacola placed 3rd in the middle market category. In the panhandle of Florida, we counted 9 big deals in this year's "100." We counted only six from 1993-2000.

One hundred and forty-five points for the Peach State? You've got to be kidding. Atlanta came in with just 25 points. Other markets in Georgia didn't benefit from Atlanta's loss. Columbus put up a woeful five points. I think I know why. We own a family business in Columbus (the Columbus Wardogs Arena football team), and the last time I called the head man at the Columbus Chamber, I didn't get a call back. So I called the volunteer head of the Chamber. He didn't call me back. This, after I had just met with them. I hope they don't treat prospects in a similar manner.

Not a bad year by Kansas standards. A good showing in Job "just missed deals," but a poor showing in the biggest deal category. Kansas does an excellent job of reporting their deals. You name the deal, even if it created 10 jobs, they reported it. Kansas reported dozens of deals, it's just that the majority of them didn't reach the 200 job or $30 million thresholds.

Very poor year for the Bluegrass State. But, like everyone else, there are plenty of excuses. Last year, Kentucky posted 280 points and the year before that rang up 270. Usually this a very consistent state. Not this year. The Citigroup deal in Florence, however, was a Top 10 deal. That and a service center deal were the only two to make the Job 100. For a state like Kentucky, you can't hang your hat on two big service sector deals in a year.

We're not sure we got Louisiana's job scores right. We know we got their investment side down pat. Louisiana's investment year was an impressive one. In fact, it led all states in the South. But the job report we received listed temporary construction jobs, had retail deals all over it (we do not accept retail announcements, such as a new Winn Dixie supermarket) and the data included years' 1999-2001. Like Alabama, Louisiana needs to get with the program.

Come on Maryland! You created a positive net job gain of 79,000 in 2001 and you only had three deals of 200 jobs or better? That doesn't compute, but that's what your report stated. The Human Genome project could be huge when finished.

Based on points, Mississippi is your Per Capita State of the Year. Solid year, especially on the investment side of the ledger and Job JMDs. Three negatives, though: only two deals made the Job 100, most of the state's investment points came from power plants and the state economic development department has lost some outstanding talent of late. Gulfport/Biloxi/Pascagoula had an outstanding year, placing second in the mid-market category.

Great year for Missouri, especially compared to last year when the state could muster but 100 points. Big deals ran the gamut from automotive to bacon smoking to financial services to biotech. A real nice mix of big jobmakers and investors. To more than double your points in one year is an outstanding achievement. The "Show Me State" showed me for the first time. Let's see how they do next year.

Not a total wash for North Carolina, but another disappointing year nonetheless. Remember, this is the state that posted 400 and 500 point years in the early to mid-1990s. Last year Carolina earned 310 points, 350 points the year before and 415 points the year before that. If that's not a slide, what is it? One good thing: three of NC's biggest deals occurred east of Interstate 95 where jobs are needed the most in that state.

After several excellent years, Oklahoma posted a snoozer. But it's not one that could be described as "terrible." The state created 45,000 net new jobs last year, which is a healthy amount. Prior to 2001, Oklahoma posted three great years-in-a-row. There's no question th recession hit the Sooner State last year.

We seriously considered naming South Carolina the "State of the Year." If you knew the problems the South Carolina Department of Commerce went through last year, you might have considered the Palmetto State as well for the year's top award. Not unlike NC, SC has been on a slide over the last few years, bottoming out with 215 points two years ago. To reverse that trend in a year of political turmoil and tough economic times is quite an achievement.

Big drop from 420 points last year. Even so, this state has been on a roll for five years now. This year the Volunteer State didn't drop as much as some of its peers. The 23 Job JMDs is impressive. Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol is this year's Mid-Market of the Year and Memphis and Nashville have firmly established themselves as Southern destination markets.

Not a good year for Texas. You look at their numbers and they look OK, second behind only Florida in points and total deals. But the Lone Star State is in a freefall. Check this out: Texas earned 1,295 points in 1998; 1,010 in 1999; 825 in 2000; 675 in 2001 and now 610 in 2002. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Virginia's numbers aren't as good as last year when it posted 650 points and won "State of the Year." But other than Florida, which states' points weren't affected this year? The key is Virginia's second-place per capita ranking this year. The 13 SB&D Job 100 deals weren't eyepopping, but the 36 Job JMDs are. While many of its competitors were faltering during tough times, Virginia stood tall.

Like other Southern states, West Virginia's numbers are down significantly from last year when it won the No. 1 Per Capita state award with 170 points. Could only muster 65 this year.

*DPM: Deals per million residents