South Carolina takes top spot for jobs linked to foreign investment
January 17, 2013
IBM-Plant Location International report ranks S.C. above Texas and North Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA – January 17, 2013 – South Carolina continues to stand outas a top destination for foreign investment, ranking first in attractingjobs through foreign investment, according to an analysis by IBM-PlantLocation International (IBM-PLI). The Palmetto State ranked above Texasand North Carolina, which were ranked second and third, respectively, inthe 2012 report.
“It is exciting to see South Carolina once again recognized as the ‘it’place for business investment. Foreign firms have played and continue toplay a key role in our state’s economy. We have worked hard to showcompanies from around the globe that South Carolina is the place to putdown roots and do business, and this ranking is another indication ofour success,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Each year, IBM-PLI publishes a report titled Global Location Trendslooking at foreign investment around the globe. The data are derivedfrom IBM’s Global Investment Locations Database (GILD) which tracksannouncements by companies on their location decisions throughout theyear. The numbers in the new report were based on data gathered in 2011.
“South Carolina is just right for business, and plenty of internationalcompanies know it. Hundreds of foreign firms employ tens of thousands ofresidents throughout our state, creating wealth and helping make thecommunities they’re in sustainable. The IBM-PLI report’s ranking isanother confirmation that people are sitting up and taking notice of theeconomic development successes we’ve had here in the Palmetto State,”said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
The report also looked at global trends and events that affectinvestment by companies. The latest edition of the Global LocationTrends report can be downloaded from IBM’s website at www.ibm.com/gbs/pli.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Departmentof Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businessesgrow. Commerce won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Awardfrom Area Development magazine in 2012. Commerce has been part ofrecruiting world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing,Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and GoogleInc. Commerce also supports small and existing business, ruraldevelopment initiatives and offers grants for community development. Formore information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
