Site Selectors Survey: Why Site Selectors Love the South
January 20, 2025
“Georgia On My Mind” may be the official state song of the Peach State, but it might as well be the anthem of site selection consultants.
In our annual Site Selectors Survey, the Peach State wracked up the most votes to dethrone last year’s winner, Texas, for Best Business Climate in the nation. North Carolina finished just behind Georgia in the runner-up spot, followed by South Carolina in third and then Tennessee and Texas in a tie for fourth. The rest of the top 10, in order, are Virginia in sixth place; Alabama, Mississippi and Ohio tied for seventh; and Indiana in 10th.
If you want to know what influences the thinking of site selectors and why they tend to favor Southern states, it pays to know the location factors that they value the most. We asked site selectors this question: “In your opinion, what are the three most important elements of a state business climate?” They responded that workforce, state and local tax policy, and cost of living are paramount. Ranking just behind these factors are incentives, quality of life and worker training programs.