In 1994, the number was 5,193. A year later, it reached 6,522. In 1996, it broke 8,000. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, you ask? No. But reflective of the U.S. stock market?s bullish expansion during the past three years, corporate facility-location activity across the United States is on an equally torrid pace. In fact, Site Selection recorded an amazing 8,029 new and expanded U.S. offices, factories, distribution centers and other facilities in 1996, a marked increase of more than 23 percent over 1995. Like stocks, certain states did better than others last year. North Carolina?s 915 facilities led the pack, breaking Ohio?s three-year grasp on the title of U.S. facility-location champion.

?North Carolina?s attractiveness has been developing over the last 10 or 15 years,? says Thomas Wenkstern, Dallas-based director of corporate real estate for KPMG Peat Marwick. ?Industrial firms are being attracted by its relatively low operating expenses, good quality of life, good work ethic and proximity to Southeast markets.?

Chasing North Carolina were Ohio (832 facilities), Texas (776), Illinois (573) and New York (511). From market access to skilled workers to competitive operating costs, those states possess in abundance the location resources companies need to succeed in today?s competitive environment.

Indeed, those 8,000-plus major U.S. locations last year represent companies? strategic real estate moves to achieve critical business objectives. Getting closer to customers, finding skilled workers and lowering operating costs are highly valued objectives at corporations around the world.

?A few years ago, companies were really into reengineering and cutting back on people,? Wenkstern says. ?But the new trend is not how to cut, but how to grow. The ultimate resource for companies is their people. So areas that have a quality work force — and the overall quality of life that attracts those people — will succeed.?

While North Carolina bested all other states in 1996?s facility-location race, Ohio clearly dominates the long-term picture. For 1994-96, Ohio was the top state in terms of all types of facilities, new manufacturing plants and global (e.g., internationally owned) facilities.

In 1994, the number was 5,193. A year later, it reached 6,522. In 1996, it broke 8,000. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, you ask? No. But reflective of the U.S. stock market?s bullish expansion during the past three years, corporate facility-location activity across the United States is on an equally torrid pace. In fact, Site Selection recorded an amazing 8,029 new and expanded U.S. offices, factories, distribution centers and other facilities in 1996, a marked increase of more than 23 percent over 1995.

Like stocks, certain states did better than others last year. North Carolina?s 915 facilities led the pack, breaking Ohio?s three-year grasp on the title of U.S. facility-location champion.

?North Carolina?s attractiveness has been developing over the last 10 or 15 years,? says Thomas Wenkstern, Dallas-based director of corporate real estate for KPMG Peat Marwick. ?Industrial firms are being attracted by its relatively low operating expenses, good quality of life, good work ethic and proximity to Southeast markets.?

Chasing North Carolina were Ohio (832 facilities), Texas (776), Illinois (573) and New York (511). From market access to skilled workers to competitive operating costs, those states possess in abundance the location resources companies need to succeed in today?s competitive environment.

Indeed, those 8,000-plus major U.S. locations last year represent companies? strategic real estate moves to achieve critical business objectives. Getting closer to customers, finding skilled workers and lowering operating costs are highly valued objectives at corporations around the world.

?A few years ago, companies were really into reengineering and cutting back on people,? Wenkstern says. ?But the new trend is not how to cut, but how to grow. The ultimate resource for companies is their people. So areas that have a quality work force — and the overall quality of life that attracts those people — will succeed.?

While North Carolina bested all other states in 1996?s facility-location race, Ohio clearly dominates the long-term picture. For 1994-96, Ohio was the top state in terms of all types of facilities, new manufacturing plants and global (e.g., internationally owned) facilities.