Metro Sioux City tops publication list for most development projects

SIOUX CITY | For the second straight year andthe fourth time in seven years, metro Sioux City has been crowned a national economic development champion.

The tri-state regionshared the No. 1 spot in Site Selection magazine's annual ranking of small-sizemetro areas with the most new or expanded corporate projects.

Sioux City tied for first with Dubuque, Iowa, and Altoona, Pa., and among areas with populations between 50,000 and 200,000. Each metro city had 14 qualifying projects in 2013, defined as investments of at least $1 million in investment, additions of at least 20,000 square feet and creation of at least 50 new jobs.

Adam Bruns, managing editor of Atlanta-based Site Selection, broke the news tomore than 250 local business leaders at a luncheon at the Sioux City Convention Center sponsored by The Siouxland Initiative.

Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, a former Siouxland Initiative president, celebrated the top ranking with the local leaders.

"Getting this honor from Site Selection magazine is a big deal," Branstad told the audience.

The 60-year-old publication's base of 49,000 subscribers includes professionals who help corporations find the right place to locate and expand, Branstad said.

"If you can get the attention of these people, obviously it improves your chances of getting a project or a company in your state," the Republican governor said at a news conference.

Site Selection also ranked Sioux CityNo. 1 in 2007, 2008 and 2012.

Bruns said the fact Siouxland has earned the honor four times in the past seven years "speaks to their collective vision and the kind of continuity that gives company decision-makers confidence."

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Metro Sioux City tops publication list for most development projects