Atlanta, September 2, 2010: Site Selection magazine has selected its annual Top Utilities in Economic Development. The designation is based on calendar year 2009 performance in four categories — capital investment, job creation, capital investment per capita and jobs per 10,000 in population. It also takes into account innovative programs and services that meet the needs of industrial customers, creativity and flexibility in working with corporate clients to facilitate project activity, the input of leading site selection consultants, and extensive interviews with company executives who have located real deals. More broadly, the designation gauges the ability of U.S. utility companies to complement power delivery with the powers of persuasion in fostering corporate investment in their territories.

The winning utilities, in alphabetical order, are Alabama Power, Birmingham, Ala.; DTE Energy, Detroit, Mich.; Duke Energy, Plainfield, Ind., and Charlotte, N.C.; Entergy Corp., New Orleans, La.; Georgia Power, Atlanta, Ga.; Hydro-Québec, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Memphis Light, Gas & Water, Memphis, Tenn.; Oncor Electric Delivery, Dallas, Texas; PPL Electric Utilities, Allentown, Pa.; and Tennessee Valley Authority, Nashville, Tenn.

Those qualifying for Honorable Mention include Ameren Corp., St. Louis, Mo.; ComEd – An Exelon Company, Chicago, Ill.; CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas; E.ON U.S., Louisville, Ky.; FirstEnergy Corp., Akron, Ohio; Hoosier Energy, Bloomington, Ind.; Omaha Public Power District, Omaha, Neb.; PNM, Albuquerque, N.M.; Progress Energy, Raleigh, N.C.; and PSE&G, Newark, N.J.; .

"The top-performing utilities have several things in common," says Ron Starner, executive vice president of Site Selection. "They are constantly raising the bar on delivering superior customer service. They are engaged now more than ever in providing companies with certified sites. They are always looking for ways to save industrial power customers money; and they are fostering and building regional coalitions of support for economic development."

"Utilities play a key role as participants in the economic development efforts of cities, regions and all areas working to improve their local business climate," says Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection. "This year's Top Utilities were particularly successful in this endeavor in 2009."

The entire Top Utilities article and the annual Utilities Directory appear in the September 2010 edition of Site Selection and appear online at www.siteselection.com. Also featured in the issue:

• In-depth reports on energy innovations, infrastructure, logistics, and plastics & chemicals;
• The Canada 2010 Report, including Site Selection's annual Canadian Competitiveness Award, Top Canadian Metros and Top Canadian Groups awards;
• An Arizona spotlight featuring an exclusive interview with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer;
• International spotlights on China, India and Malaysia;
• Area reports on California, Texas, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, the Upper Midwest, the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic;
• Investment Profiles of the University of Delaware; Greater Topeka, Kan.; Malaysia; Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; Ameren Corp.; Sri City, India; and SP InfoCity IT Parks, India.

Site Selection magazine, published by Conway Data Inc., delivers expansion planning information to 44,000 executives of fast-growing firms. The senior publication in the development field, Site Selection is also available via Site Selection Online (www.siteselection.com). The SiteNet Dispatch, a weekly e-mail newsletter, is delivered to approximately 44,000 industry professionals. The publication also publishes "The Site Selection Energy Report" and "The Site Selection Life Sciences Report" monthly e-newsletters.

Conway Data is an international publishing and association management company headquartered in Atlanta. The firm manages the Industrial Asset Management Council, the Development Hall of Fame and the World Development Federation (WDF), offers consulting services and awards the Conway Safe Skies Award.