Best Economic Development Groups

The survey offered a special question open only to location advisors. Because they have regular contact with economic development groups and would be able to provide an evaluation based on experience, they were asked to indicate up to three “Best in Class” regional or community economic development organizations and up to three “Best in Class” state economic development organizations.

Forty-two respondents named a total of 50 regional or community economic development organizations and no region earned more than 22% of all mentions.

Best in Class Regional Economic Development Organizations

1. Greater Phoenix Economic Council  21%
2. Kansas City Area Development Council 17%
3. Charlotte Regional Partnership 14%
4. Nashville Chamber of Commerce 12%
5. Austin Chamber of Commerce 12%
6. The Indy Partnership 10%
7. St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Assoc. 10%
8. Pittsburgh Regional Alliance 10%

Best in Class State Economic Development Organizations

1. Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development 25%
2. North Carolina Department of Commerce 23%
3. Georgia Department of Economic Development 18%
4. Oklahoma Department of Commerce 18%
5. Alabama Development Office 16%
6. Kansas Department of Commerce 16%
7. Missouri Partnership 16%
8. Louisiana Economic Development 16%
9. Tennessee Dept. of Economic and Community Development 11%