< Previous138 JANUARY 2025 SITE SELECTION Mississippi Development Authority 501 North West Street Jackson, MS 39201 Bill Cork E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR 601-359-3449 https://mississippi.org “The message this deal sends to every other company in the world is a signifi cant one. It says, ‘Come here. Mississippi is open for business.’ ” — Gov. Tate Reeves , on the $10 billion, 1,000-job investment by Amazon Web Services, Mississippi Development Guide 2024 GDP 36 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $119,548 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 20232022202120202019 Mississippi Pop. (2024): 2,955,387 Pop. growth 2024–2029: -0.10% Median household income (2024): $55,017 Median age (2024): 39.6 Credit Rating: AA / Negative Right-to-work state: Yes LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE One of the last actions of the 2024 Legislature was to pass a $7.9 billion budget for FY 2024-2025. While higher education funding did not increase, the $3.3 billion allocated to the Mississippi Department of Education represented a $300 million increase from the year before. In a related measure, the new Mississippi Student Funding Formula directs $2.95 billion toward K-12 education and includes funding weights for districts that promote career tech programs, among other provisions. A planned 2% contribution increase by employers to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) was changed to a 0.5% increase each year through 2028. Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $548,454 Number of NCRCs: 240,047 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 14.47% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -7 Industrial power cost per kWh: $6.96 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 103.78% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 0.98 GDP Growth Rate Trend PROJECT WATCH A nnounced in January, the $10 billion, 1,000-job data center investment at a state megasite in Madison County by Amazon Web Services will bring to the state two data center campuses with a combined capacity of 1 gigawatt “Last spring (2023), we got a call,” Haley Fisackerly, the president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, told Site Selection’s Ron Starner for a story in the 2024 Mississippi Development Guide. “It was from Amazon. They said, ‘Can you help us deliver two major hyperscale data centers by the spring of 2027?’ After picking myself up off the fl oor, we went to work with the governor, the Mississippi Development Authority and the Madison County Economic Development Authority. They had gone into developing a very attractive site in northern Madison County. They identifi ed other sites near transmission lines too. We had to work with the Legislature and the Governor’s Offi ce on the legislation to expedite the process. That led to the passage of legislation and approval of AWS in January.” Today, Fisackerly calls the Amazon project “transformational and generational” Starner recounted. “It’s hard to put into words just how important today is to the future of Mississippi,” Gov. Tate Reeves said at the May 2024 groundbreaking. “It’s truly a watershed moment in Mississippi economic development history, and I’m proud of the massive impact the project will have on our state. In recent years, we’ve seen multiple record-breaking private sector investments, we’ve reached historic new heights when it comes to education, and we’ve worked hard to train our workforce for the jobs of the next 50 years. This record-shattering investment from Amazon Web Services will continue to ignite further economic growth and drive our state forward. The future of Mississippi is bright, and the only day better than today is tomorrow.” AWS is committing to invest in 650MW of new renewable energy capacity in Mississippi to power its data centers in Madison County. Rendering courtesy of AWS140 JANUARY 2025 SITE SELECTION Nevada Governor’s Offi ce of Econ. Dev. 1 State of Nevada Way, 4th Fl Las Vegas, NV 89119 Tom Burns E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR 702-486-2700 https://goed.nv.gov “Our low cost of doing business, favorable regulatory environment and robust litigation ecosystem make us a top destination for companies seeking expansion in the United States, and we’re excited to continue diversifying our economy with international partners.” — Gov. Joe Lombardo, June 25, 2024, at the Select USA Investment Summit in Maryland, announcing new investments in Nevada by five international companies GDP 32 nd 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $195,406 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 20232022202120202019 Nevada Pop. (2024): 3,265,907 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.77% Median household income (2024): $77,249 Median age (2024): 39.2 Credit Rating: AA+ / Stable Right-to-work state: Yes LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE Gov. Lombardo in August announced the launch of Nevada’s Climate Innovation Plan, a strategic initiative designed to propel Nevada towards a sustainable future. “By harnessing clean energy, improving energy effi ciency and fostering economic growth, we’re establishing Nevada as a leader in climate solutions,” Gov. Lombardo said. The Nevada Governor’s Offi ce of Economic Development (GOED) Board in July approved $1.7 million from the $10 million Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) fund to support three industry-led workforce training programs that will bolster training in logistics and nursing at the College of Southern Nevada and mining at Great Basin College. Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $290,710 Number of NCRCs: 24,185 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 15.82% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -10 Industrial power cost per kWh: $10.36 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 103.86% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.00 PROJECT WATCH C alifornia-based lithium-sulfur battery company Lyten in October announced plans to invest more than $1 billion to build the world’s fi rst lithium-sulfur battery gigafactory at Reno AirLogistics Park. The company signed an MOU with industrial developer Dermody Properties to locate the facility on 125 acres owned by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority, which oversees over 3,000 acres of developable land at Reno Stead Airport. The facility, according to a press release, will have the capability to produce up to 10 GWh of batteries annually at full scale. Phase 1 of the facility is scheduled to come online in 2027. The project is an ideal fi t with the region’s Lithium Loop Tech Hub strategy. “Lithium-sulfur is a leap in battery technology, delivering a high energy density, lightweight battery built with abundantly available local materials and 100% U.S. manufacturing,” said Lyten Co-Founder and CEO Dan Cook. “Nevada has been our preferred location from the start,” said Lyten Chief Battery Technology Offi cer Celina Mikolajczak. “We have continuously felt welcomed by the leaders of Reno and Washoe County. We need a talented, innovative workforce and this partnership will deliver just that.” Lyten said its batteries are entering the micromobility, space, drone and defense markets in 2024 and 2025, and the Nevada gigafactory will help it meet this growing demand. On the talent front, the company said it is working closely with local universities, including the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) and Truckee Meadows Community College, and with Nevada Native American and Tribal members. Rendering courtesy of Lyten GDP Growth Rate Trend142 JANUARY 2025 SITE SELECTION LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE HB 5 creates an annual Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund from the state treasury. From July 2024 to July 2025 the fund will distribute $2.5 million to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund and $2.5 million to the Workforce Solutions Department to support the Apprenticeship Assistance Act. After July 2025, each will receive $1.5 million. HB 232 creates an Infrastructure Planning and Development Division within the Department of Finance and Administration. The new division shall employ at least one rural equity ombud to provide planning assistance to the state and counties for residents in rural and frontier communities addressing issues such as health, human services, educational services, economic development, infrastructure planning and improvements, transportation, tourism and more. HB 252: As part of a new omnibus tax bill, New Mexico will lower income taxes by more than $160 million as the state focuses on its clean energy transition. To make the transition to EVs more accessible, residents who purchase EVs or electric hybrid vehicles starting in 2024 will be eligible for new income tax credits. The new law also creates an Advanced Energy Tax Credit which will off set up to 20% of equipment costs, or up to $25 million per project, catered to solar energy, wind energy, battery manufacturing and rare earth element production. New Mexico Econ. Dev. Dept. Joseph M. Montoya Bldg. 1100 S. St. Francis Dr. Santa Fe, NM 87505 Mark Roper D IRECTOR 575-562-0327 https://edd.newmexico.gov “Quantum information is exactly the kind of industry we want to build and expand in New Mexico, and I thank our partners in Colorado, sector leaders in New Mexico, and the entire Elevate Quantum team for this historic announcement making the Mountain West the only quantum tech hub in the country.” — Governor Lujan Grisham on the arrival of $41 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for New Mexico and Colorado to establish the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub in July 2024 Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $552,260 Number of NCRCs: 39,243 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 1.21% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -8 Industrial power cost per kWh: $5.75 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 106.80% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.27 GDP 37 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $110,324 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 20232022202120202019 New Mexico Pop. (2024): 2,129,661 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.22% Median household income (2024): $62,263 Median age (2024): 39.9 Credit Rating: AA / Stable Right-to-work state: No GDP Growth Rate Trend SITE SELECTION JANUARY 2025 143 Empire State Development 655 3rd Avenue - 4th Floor New York City, NY 10017 Hope Knight P resident /CeO/C OmmissiOner 212-803-3100 https://esd.ny.gov “Thanks to the winning combination of federal CHIPS funding and New York’s determination and ingenuity, the Albany NanoTech Complex will be home to the CHIPS for America EUV Accelerator, and fuel America’s advanced manufacturing renaissance.” — Governor Kathy Hochul, October 2024, upon receiving $825 in federal funding for semiconductor research and development GDP 3 rd 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $1,791,211 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 20232022202120202019 New York Pop. (2024): 19,924,635 Pop. growth 2024–2029: -0.09% Median household income (2024): $83,109 Median age (2024): 39.6 Credit Rating: AA+ / Stable Right-to-work state: No LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE Governor Hochul announced the FY 2025 Budget would include a $1.3 billion boost to P-12 School Aid, for a total of $36 billion over 2024-2025. The move marks the highest investment ever in School Aid, which has increased by $6.5 billion over three years. In a move to increase transparency and accountability of the public utility rate- setting process for customers, Governor Hochul signed Legislation S.9188/A.9827, which will now require the Public Service Commission to publish certain information about public gas or electric utilities rate changes prior to any action taken. This includes an explanation as to why the rate change has been made and how proposed revenue will be spent. To aid small businesses in opening quickly or staying open longer, new legislation has been passed to reduce associated costs and reduce paperwork requirements. Legislation S.8203/A.8427-A will remove the two-year restriction to gain a temporary permit, allowing small businesses to open months sooner as they wait for full application approval, promoting hiring and bringing life to vacant restaurant and bar spaces in New York City. Meanwhile, Legislation S.9685/A.7116 doubles the duration of temporary permits from 90 to 180 days. Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $8,510,607 Number of NCRCs: 6,814 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 13.28% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -1 Industrial power cost per kWh: $6.87 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 99.66% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 2.15 GDP Growth Rate Trend New Jersey Econ. Dev. Authority 36 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08625 Tim Sullivan CeO 609-858-6700 https://www.njeda.gov ““You’re known by the company you keep, and the fact that the State of New Jersey is in business with Princeton University is a statement, a volitional, intentional statement that we need business around the development of this realm.” — Gov. Phil Murphy, November 2024, at a Financial Times event on artificial intelligence GDP 10 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $663,889 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 20232022202120202019 New Jersey Pop. (2024): 9,410,668 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.12% Median household income (2024): $101,875 Median age (2024): 40.5 Credit Rating: A / Stable Right-to-work state: No LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE Gov. Phil Murphy in October signed an executive order establishing a new Economic Council for the business community and state government to solve issues. It will be supported by a new Development Coordination Committee that “will support the Council’s work in advancing development projects that require multiple state, county and local government approvals.” The Next New Jersey program under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority was established to administer tax credits for investments by the AI or large-scale AI data center industries that create 100 new jobs or involve a facility investment of at least $100 million. The FY2025 budget signed in June creates a corporate transit fee on corporations with net taxable income greater than $10 million to support NJ TRANSIT, “among other investments that improve the health, safety and economic well-being of New Jersey’s residents.” It also provides more than $3.6 billion in direct property tax relief and includes “a suite of initiatives to advance the Governor’s AI Moonshot and augment the AI Hub being created at Princeton University.” Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $1,618,815 Number of NCRCs: 1,149 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 10.16% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: +1 Industrial power cost per kWh: $11.68 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 93.95% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 2.44 GDP Growth Rate Trend144 JANUARY 2025 SITE SELECTION PROJECT WATCH U K-based semiconductor manufacturer IQE announced that the company plans to invest $305 million to upgrade its Greensboro, North Carolina, semiconductor manufacturing facility. IQE plans to add metal-organic chemical vapor deposition technology to the site in order to support chip manufacturing catered toward EVs. “Greensboro has proven to be a strategic location for IQE and has provided access to exceptional talent,” said IQE Interim CEO Jutta Meier. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the city as we progress further with our application for government funding via the CHIPS Act, which along with funding commitments from the state, will provide us with the capital to invest and expand our local footprint.” The project, which received a $275,000 performance-based grant from the state’s One North Carolina Fund, will support the creation of 109 new jobs in the region once complete. The Greensboro City Council additionally approved a $2.4 million incentive package for IQE. IQE moves forward with upgrades to its North Carolina facility following CHIPS and Science Act support. Photo: Getty Images LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE SB 743: This bill ratifi es the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 to support disaster relief and recovery eff orts for education; health and human services; agriculture; natural and economic resources; justice and public safety; general government; salaries and benefi ts; transportation and fi nance. Modifi cations include an additional $604 million from the Savings Reserve toward the Hurricane Helene Funding Availability for a total of over $954 million. SB 743 will also establish a program that provides emergency scholarship grants up to $2,500 to eligible postsecondary students at aff ected public and private higher education institutions, allocating $5 million for University of North Carolina constituent institutions, over $10.5 million for community colleges and $1 million to eligible private postsecondary institutions. SB 802: The Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) Act was ratifi ed to authorized a statewide C-PACE program for local governments to voluntarily join to allow owners of commercial, industrial, agricultural, nonprofi t and multifamily residential properties with fi ve or more dwelling units to obtain low-cost, long-term fi nancing for qualifying improvements for energy effi ciency, water conservation, renewable energy and resilience projects. Econ. Dev. Partnership of North Carolina 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1200 Raleigh NC 27601 Christopher Chung CEO 919-447-7777 https://edpnc.com “We need to strengthen career and technical education and expand apprenticeship programs because folks shouldn’t have to go to college to support their family. As your governor, I’ll champion no-cost community college for students pursuing coursework in our state’s growing, high- demand industries ...” — Governor-elect Josh Stein Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $4,153,027 Number of NCRCs: 685,413 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 7.53% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -3 Industrial power cost per kWh: $7.15 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 107.40% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.16 GDP 11 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $638,067 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 20232022202120202019 North Carolina Pop. (2024): 10,910,469 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.75% Median household income (2024): $71,629 Median age (2024): 39.8 Credit Rating: AAA / Stable Right-to-work state: Yes GDP Growth Rate Trend146 JANUARY 2025 SITE SELECTION North Dakota Department of Commerce 1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 6 Bismarck, ND 58503 Rich Garman D IRECTOR 701-328-5344 https://www.commerce.nd.gov “As a former small business owner, I know the unique circumstances each business faces from workforce challenges to overburdensome regulations. I look forward to continuing to work with NFIB [National Federation of Independent Business] to ensure North Dakota small businesses can thrive.” — Governor-elect Kelly Armstrong, October 2024, upon receiving an endorsement for governor from NFIB North Dakota GDP 45 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $60,349 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20232022202120202019 North Dakota Pop. (2024): 796,812 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.47% Median household income (2024): $76,655 Median age (2024): 36.2 Credit Rating: AA+ / Stable Right-to-work state: Yes LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE In November 2024, former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, state legislators and members of the North Dakota Housing Initiative Advisory Committee announced new recommendations catered to the state’s housing availability, aff ordability and stability needs. The appointed committee unveiled six categories of focus to address housing needs and challenges that will be submitted in the Governor’s executive budget proposal in December 2024: red tape reduction; grant programs to support vibrant local housing markets; gap fi nancing through the North Dakota Housing Initiative Fund; homelessness services and rapid re-housing assistance; fi nancial coaching; and grants to local schools to invest in equipment and resources to grow the future workforce pipeline for housing construction trades. The Korea Research Association and former Governor Doug Burgum signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2024 to establish a new partnership and promote collaboration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) R&D. Gov. Burgum noted UAS applications such as crop monitoring, assessing risk to energy infrastructure, emergency response and defense capabilities as key applications of the partnership. Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $349,010 Number of NCRCs: 7,647 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 19.92% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: +8 Industrial power cost per kWh: $7.37 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 123.65% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 0.58 GDP Growth Rate Trend LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE HB 2: The capital budget bill for FY 2025-2026 includes $3.5 billion in appropriations to boost economic development and the quality of life for Ohio residents. Highlights of HB 2 include improvements and investments to build mental health care facilities; strengthening higher education infrastructure, cybersecurity and workforce readiness; investment support for construction and renovations across Ohio schools, colleges and universities; enhancing public safety by investing in the design of a new crime lab; and improvements to Ohio’s state parks. A $17.5 million Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program was announced in November 2024 by Gov. DeWine and the Ohio Department of Transportation to support public transportation projects in the state’s rural and urban areas. Grants will be distributed to transit agencies in 16 counties, supporting 33 new transit projects. The goal of this program is to promote ease and effi ciency of transportation of workers to economically signifi cant employment centers. Funding includes over $1 million to the Central Ohio Transit Authority for a transit hub at the Rickenbacker International Airport; a $2.5 million grant to the Butler County Regional Transit Authority for bus yard expansion, a propane fuel station and driver training; and $117,004 to Morgan County Transit to support the Morgan-Noble County Workforce Connectivity project. JobsOhio 41 S. High St., Ste. 1500 Columbus, OH 43215 J. P. Nauseef P RESIDENT & CEO 614-215-9322 https://www.jobsohio.com “We developed these programs to turn areas of neglect into places of hope and opportunity for businesses and families alike. By removing the physical remnants of decline, these projects make room for growth, revitalizing neighborhoods and attracting investment that boosts local economies.” — Governor Mike DeWine, September 2024, announcing a $50 million grant for brownfield remediation and building demolitions across the state to spur economic development activity Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $3,226,963 Number of NCRCs: 255,117 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 4.50% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: +1 Industrial power cost per kWh: $7.03 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 102.42% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 0.83 GDP 7 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $709,817 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 20232022202120202019 Ohio Pop. (2024): 11,827,635 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.02% Median household income (2024): $69,192 Median age (2024): 40.2 Credit Rating: AAA / Stable Right-to-work state: No GDP Growth Rate Trend SITE SELECTION JANUARY 2025 147 LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE HB 4154: In order to grow the state’s semiconductor talent pipeline, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission will use funding provided through the Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund to provide education, training and research to assist the industry. As part of the bill, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission will distribute $14.9 million to the University of Oregon, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College to build or expand workforce development initiatives, apprenticeship programs and infrastructure, establish research centers and purchase equipment relating to the industry. As the state aims to increase engagement between off shore wind developers and state organizations, communities and tribes, HB 4080 looks to create a strategic road map to consider all benefi ts and ramifi cations associated with off shore wind development. These developments focus on introducing projects that promote power diversifi cation, reliability and resilience for the Oregon coast electrical grid, spearheaded by the state’s Department of Land Conservation and Development. The roadmap will be used in the consideration of economic development opportunities, developing a robust industry workforce, protecting tribal cultural and archaeological resources, environmental and marine life protections and achieving Oregon’s energy and climate policy objectives. Business Oregon 775 Summer St., NE, Ste. 310 Salem, OR 97301 Sophorn Cheang D IRECTOR 503-986-0123 https://www.oregon.gov “HP invented its inkjet printer here in Corvallis, and the facility still remains one of the company’s leading research posts, contributing to our state’s leadership in technological innovation … We are uniquely positioned to enhance national security by helping to grow the country’s semiconductor industry.” — Governor Tina Kotek, August 2024, announcing up to $50 million to Oregon-based HP through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $1,040,749 Number of NCRCs: 92,257 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 4.93% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -2 Industrial power cost per kWh: $7.52 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 103.17% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 0.93 GDP 25 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $261,952 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 20232022202120202019 Oregon Pop. (2024): 4,354,045 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.44% Median household income (2024): $80,151 Median age (2024): 40.6 Credit Rating: AA+ / Stable Right-to-work state: No GDP Growth Rate Trend Oklahoma Department of Commerce 900 N. Stiles Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Heather Turner E XECUTIVE D IRECTOR OF C OMMERCE 405-815-6552 https://www.okcommerce.gov “We’re building the best workforce in the nation, and that means reimagining education to focus more on real-world experience and individual strengths of students in preparation for tomorrow’s industry needs.” — Governor Kevin Stitt, September 2024, issuing an executive order that forms the Human Potential for Future Industries Task Force to unite statewide workforce and education efforts in Oklahoma GDP 30 th 2023 GDP (in millions of current US$) $207,923 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20232022202120202019 Oklahoma Pop. (2024): 4,052,047 Pop. growth 2024–2029: 0.36% Median household income (2024): $62,129 Median age (2024): 37.9 Credit Rating: AA / Positive Right-to-work state: Yes LEGISLATIVE & POLICY UPDATE SB 1447 establishes the Creating Oklahoma’s Modern Plan for Economic Transformation and Eff ectiveness (COMPLETE) Act which requires the Department of Commerce to create two separate divisions: the Division of Economic Development, Growth and Expansion (EDGE) and the Division of Community Outreach and Revitalization Enterprise (CORE) to encourage economic stability in the state. EDGE will be responsible for being the state’s economic development point of contact. CORE will focus on long-term development in local communities to increase competitiveness and enhance economic opportunities. SB 1372 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program as part of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. This program off ers one-time fi nancial assistance in the form of a grant to private or public entities catered to expanding the state’s aircraft engine testing capabilities and development of aircraft engine testing infrastructure. Applicants must have airline or industry support for the project to qualify, in addition to the ability to provide a minimum of 40% matching funds and a project proposal that details the project timeline and estimated budget. Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure in $000s: $614,502 Number of NCRCs: 164,239 | Percent Improvement 2023–2024: 2.97% Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2024–2025: -2 Industrial power cost per kWh: $6.26 Total Revenue as Share of Total Expenses, FY 2008-2022: 105.31% 2024 Workers’ Comp Index Rate: 1.41 GDP Growth Rate TrendNext >