Nov. 3, 2009 6:22 a.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio ranks fourth for its business climate this year, up from seventh place in 2008 on Site Selection magazine's annual report. ##M:[MORE]##

The Buckeye State leads the Midwest region, and the jump reflects efforts to improve the business environment and create jobs for Ohioans, the magazine noted.

The annual business climate rankings are determined by performance in Conway Datas New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity, and by a national survey of corporate selectors. Ohio's performance in the executive survey helped the state jump from 17th in 2008 to eighth in 2009.

"Improving a state's business climate in the current economic context is no small feat, but Ohio has done just that," said MarkArend, editor in chief of the magazine. "This accomplishment, along with Ohio's three consecutive Governors Cups in 2007, 2008 and 2009, means the state's economic development strategy is on target and delivering tangible results capital investment and jobs."

Each state's transportation infrastructure and access, work-force skills and state and local tax environment were the heaviest influences on executive polling, Arend noted.

The Top 10 states in "Business Climates" for 2009 are North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and Kentucky. In the Executive Survey Business Climate Rankings for 2009, Texas ranks No. 1 followed by North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Ohio, Florida and Colorado.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio