The economic development organizations profiled in the following pages are being recognized for significant contributions to their locations’ investment attraction and job creation success in 2023. Named for Conway Data and Site Selection Founder Mac Conway, a pioneer in the field of economic development, these awards recognize the efforts of those who worked long hours in the trenches to bring projects large and small to their communities. They succeeded in differentiating their areas from others in a rapidly evolving economic environment — often through an approach that puts community rivalries aside for the greater good of an overall region.
Whether expansions of existing facilities or greenfield plants, local investment or foreign direct investment, cutting-edge industry or heritage, every project these agencies worked on helped increase the prosperity within their constituent communities. That’s the mission Mac Conway championed decades ago, a legacy that lives today through the Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development.
Winning agencies are determined by an index of corporate facility investment as tracked in Census-delineated regions by Site Selection’s proprietary Conway Projects database. Points are awarded based on six criteria: total projects, total investment and total jobs associated with those projects, and per-capita calculations by those same metrics. (Honorees are presented as a group of 20, arranged by the dictates of the article layout.)
We salute these agencies — specifically their leadership and staff — for their professionalism and commitment to job creation in their communities.
Savannah Economic
Development Authority
Trip Tollison
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Hyundai Motor Group; Daechang Seat Corp.; Gulfstream Aerospace; Sewon Precision Industry; Plastic Express; Vend Tech International; Gigacloud Technology; Aeronet Worldwide; Pha Lighting Design; Colonial Group; Bradshaw International; Pyeong Hwa Automotive; Seoyon E-Hwa
Programs and Initiatives:
Through business attraction, business retention and related initiatives, SEDA offers customized services to connect businesses to resources that include workforce training programs, infrastructure, available properties, incentives, tax abatements, utilities and permitting. In 2023, SEDA commissioned a Workforce Study conducted by Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting to assess the long-term workforce needs of Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham and Effingham Counties. The study identified labor supply challenges facing the Savannah region’s employers, thus laying the groundwork for programs to minimize the exposure to existing and future supply shortfalls. The scope of the study included a market analysis, identifying needs and challenges and providing a strategic workforce plan.
Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (Reno-Tahoe)
Taylor Adams
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Apple; Tesla; Peterbilt Truck Parts & Equipment; EdgeCorp Digital Infrastructure; American Battery Technology Company; Stellar Aviation of Reno-Tahoe; Monin, Inc; Foot Locker
Programs and Initiatives:
EDAWN has created an Employer Workforce Resource Guide for use by employers in the Reno-Sparks-Tahoe region. The guide provides a reference to help businesses navigate the numerous workforce development resources that exist in the area to enable them to quickly find training and educational programs, help them connect with internship and apprenticeship programs and provide a place to post open positions when seeking job candidates. In February, more than 1,300 businesses attended EDAWN’s annual State of the Economy in Northern Nevada presentation. The event featured highlights of new businesses, employment expansion and forthcoming transformations and hurdles to anticipate.
Dayton Development Coalition
Jeff Hoagland
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Honda and LG Energy Solution; Joby Aviation; General Motors; Fuyao Glass America; Legrand North America; Amazon; Norwood Tool Company; Beontag; Technicote, Inc.; Waste Management, Inc.; Pratt Industries; Axogen, Inc.; Equipmenshare.com; GE Engine Services; Yaskawa America
Programs and Initiatives:
In February, the Dayton Development Coalition announced record-setting 2023 investments totaling more than $1 billion in the Miami Valley, stating, “The past three years, our region has created more than 15,400 jobs and retained 15,800 jobs.” “The local businesses and education institutions have worked well together to propel the Dayton region forward,” Lt. Governor Jon Husted told around 650 community and business leaders at the Coalition’s annual meeting. “The key to keeping the momentum going is to continue to be a great place to do business and develop talent. If the region can produce that talent, even more businesses will come.” DDC maintains a full-time office in Washington, D.C., supporting legislative initiatives at the federal and state levels that promote economic development and job growth in the 14-county Dayton region.
Piedmont Triad Partnership
Mike Fox
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Toyota; ProKidney Corp.; Honda Aircraft Company; Dal Nippon; Impact Data; Marshall of Cambridge Aerospace; Ralph Lauren Corp.; Autel U.S.; Black Buffalo, Inc.; Ethnicraft; Environmental Air Systems; Eastern Accents, Inc.; Metropolitan Warehouse and Delivery
Programs and Initiatives:
North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad comprises 12 counties in central North Carolina surrounding the cities of Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. In October, Toyota announced a new investment of nearly $8 billion that will add approximately 3,000 jobs at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, bringing total investment to approximately $13.9 billion and job creation to more than 5,000 at the plant in Liberty. “Today’s announcement reinforces Toyota’s commitment to electrification and carbon reduction, bringing jobs and future economic growth to the region,” said Sean Suggs, president of Toyota North Carolina. “We are excited to see the continued energy and support of this innovative manufacturing facility.”
One Columbus
Kenny McDonald
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Cenovus Energy; Mars Petcare; Wells Fargo; Invenergy; Lakeshore Cryotronics; Nuvo Packaging; Cardinal Health; Sarnova; Middle West Spirits; BGO Charter Street
Programs and Initiatives:
One Columbus was selected as a participant in the second cohort of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Equity in Economic Development Fellowship Program. Through the program, George Washington University Master’s student Camila Bates joined the One Columbus staff for eight weeks. “The Columbus Region has established itself as the epicenter of economic development in the Midwest, and a major player nationwide,” said Mark Patton, executive vice president and general manager of One Columbus. “Our success comes from incorporating smart, diverse, and creative voices into our team.”
Battle Creek Unlimited
Joe Sobieralski
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Ford Motor Company; Kellogg USA; Zoetis, Inc.; Denso International America; United Federal Credit Union; SJS Electric; New Holland Brewing; Duncan Aviation
Programs and Initiatives:
Battle Creek Unlimited’s BC Food Reimagined Initiative is a community-led effort that leverages the City of Battle Creek’s rich heritage of food innovation to foster emerging food and beverage companies in Battle Creek. The initiative is supported by a $3.3 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program to broaden its capacities and expand its reach to a broader spectrum of food businesses. Meanwhile, a company whose name is nearly synonymous with Battle Creek’s food history — newly spun-out WK Kellogg Co. — in December committed to invest $44 million in town, retaining 170 jobs and creating more than 40 new jobs. The original Kellogg Co. was established in Battle Creek in 1906.
Louisville Metro Dept. of Economic Development // Greater Louisville Inc.
LOUISVILLE METRO DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Joshua McKee
Interim Director
GREATER LOUISVILLE INC. (GLI)
Sarah Davasher-Wisdom
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Thai Summit Kentucky Corporation; Stellar Snacks; Four Roses Distillery; Still Distilling; Isopure Corp.; Piston Automotive; Paccar Parts; Unifirst Corporation; Fort Dearborn Company
Programs and Initiatives:
“Live in Lou” is Greater Louisville Inc.’s nationally recognized talent attraction initiative. Through targeted marketing and direct coordination with employers, Live in Lou offers a suite of tools to assist companies in attracting top talent. TechFirst, another GLI Initiative, is a collaborative of top-level industry leadership in tech and tech-related companies that come together to share best practices and engage to support, inform and develop meaningful growth initiatives within the region’s technology industry. The Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development assists companies with Kentucky’s jobs incentive programs, as well as local and state tax increment financing. Assistance is available in the areas of tax-based incentives, workforce development and training incentives, property redevelopment incentives and sustainability incentives.
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Michael Hecht
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
UBE Corporation; APM Terminals; Life for Tyres Limited; Bunge Loders Croklaan USA; Apf River Partners; Agile Cold Storage; Gulf Wind Technology; Excella, Inc.; Royal Dutch Shell; United Utility Services; 360Insights; Cornerstone Chemical Company
Programs and Initiatives:
At the end of January, GNO, Inc. and Bank of America released the 2023 Greater New Orleans Jobs Report, a review of the key industries in the 10-parish region: advanced manufacturing, digital media, energy, health care and transportation & logistics. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the regional job market, key areas of growth and potential challenges. Among the findings: The region hosts more than 175,000 jobs in these five key industries, with a median hourly wage of $33.62. Health care is No. 1 by jobs and transportation & logistics is No. 2, accounting for 136,529 jobs between them. The region’s average weekly wage grew from $1,014 in 2019 to $1,265 in 2023. Among the report’s take-aways: “There is a demand to develop an ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy for traditional and non-traditional career preparation pathways,” a significant proportion of which require an associate degree or less.
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Chris Camacho
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Bristol-Myers Squibb; Google; Commercial Metals Company; Southwest; Peckham Vocational Industries; Super Radiator Colls Ltd.; ASM International; Fender Musical Instruments Corporation; McKesson Corporation; Vensure HR; OPTUMRX; Exact Sciences Corp.; Leanteq; Republic Services, Inc.
Programs and Initiatives:
GPEC works with 22 member communities and more than 200 private investors to accomplish its mission and serve as a strategic partner to companies across the world as they expand or relocate to Greater Phoenix. GPEC’s Research & Strategy team provides highly advanced data analytics to support businesses looking to relocate and expand. Over the past 34 years, GPEC has fueled the regional economy by helping over 980 companies, creating nearly 182,000 jobs and more than $65 billion in capital investment. As it happens, that is the dollar figure Taiwan-based TSMC has pledged to invest all by itself as it announced in April a third semiconductor fabrication facility in the region, backed by CHIPS Act support of up to $6.6 billion from the U.S. Department of Commerce. GPEC analysis finds the increased investment in three fabs will create more than 20,000 unique construction jobs and tens of thousands of indirect supplier and consumer jobs.
REDI Cincinnati / BE NKY Growth Partnership
REDI CINCINNATI
Kimm Lauterbach
President & CEO
BE NKY GROWTH PARTNERSHIP
Lee Crume
CEO
Significant Projects:
Medpace, Inc.; King City Gardens; Vinylmax LLC; BASF; Matrix Pack North America; Herman Miller Global Customer Solutions; Keller Logistics Group; Cincinnati Public Radio
Programs and Initiatives:
REDI Cincinnati is the first point of contact for companies considering the 15-county, three-state Cincinnati region, which includes parts of southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana, promoting core industries that include life sciences, business and professional services, advanced manufacturing and technology. The organization supports the Cincinnati Minority Business Accelerator as part of a goal to promote inclusive economic growth. BE NKY Growth Partnership calls itself “the economic development company” for Northern Kentucky, encompassing Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties and including Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Illustrating the region’s multi-state identity, two of the four companies recognized with REDI Cincinnati’s annual James A Wuenker Growth Awards in March were located in northern Kentucky (DHL Express and Safran Landing Systems) and two were in Ohio (National Resilience and General Tool Company).
Greater Houston Partnership
Bob Harvey
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Calpine Corporation, Albemarle Corporation, Exxon Mobil, Power Electronics, United Parcel Service, Total Energies, Pilot Lng, KAO Corporation, Tinci Materials, Sumika Semiconductor Materials, Grupo Corporativo Papelera, GCP Paper USA, Ceva Logistics, Maxam Tire North America
Programs and Initiatives:
The Greater Houston Partnership’s mission is to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. The Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative builds on traditional energy skills and systems to leverage Houston’s industry leadership to accelerate global solutions for an energy abundant low-carbon future. UpSkill Houston — an employer-led initiative — mobilizes more than 200 stakeholders to strengthen the Houston region’s workforce pipeline. In its monthly “Glance” at the regional economy, the Partnership reported in April that Houston added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, ranking second among U.S metros in population growth. “The increase,” said the report, “equates to a new resident every 3.8 minutes.” Population in the 10-county Houston region, the Partnership reported, now exceeds that of 37 states and the District of Columbia.
The Right Place
Randy Thelen
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
LG Energy Solution, Payload CMS, Schreiber Foods, L&T Precision, Jasper Weller, Snack Craft, HG Medical USA, Trane Technologies, West Michigan Beef Co., Concept Metal Products, Coopersville Brewing
Programs and Initiatives:
The Right Place drives economic development initiatives in Greater Grand Rapids and Western Michigan to stimulate economic growth, wealth creation, and operational excellence by focusing on productivity, innovation and the retention, expansion and creation of quality companies in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Its Greater Grand Rapids Tech Strategy seeks to transform the region into a major tech hub in the Midwest with a vision to create 20,000 new tech jobs over the next 10 years. According to the organization’s Advanced Manufacturing Report 2023, motor vehicle-related stamping, plastic product manufacturing and office furniture manufacturing represent the top three most prevalent industries in Greater Grand Rapids. Those three industries, says the report, comprise more than 12,000 jobs — or 15% of total manufacturing employment in the eight-county region covered by The Right Place.
Dallas Regional Chamber // Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
DALLAS REGIONAL CHAMBER
Dale Petroskey
President & CEO
FORT WORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Steve Montgomery
CEO
Significant Projects:
Goldman Sachs; McMaster-Carr Supply Company; Canadian Solar; Coca-Cola Southwest; DrinkPak; Siemens AG; NTT Data Corporation; Carhartt, Inc.; Southeastern Freight Lines; Woods Distribution Services; Hexagon Purus; Sinclair Digital
Programs and Initiatives:
The Dallas Regional Chamber serves as the voice of business and the champion of economic development and growth in the Dallas Region. Dallas Thrives, supported by the DRC, is a multi-year strategy that aims to double the number of young adults earning a living wage of $50,000 a year by 2040. The DRC’s online talent pipeline platform allows users to analyze the supply and demand of IT and healthcare talent in the Dallas region. The Fort Worth Chamber in 2023 launched a new initiative called Welcome Fort Worth, an onboarding process for businesses relocating to Fort Worth. Key players in the initiative include representatives from the City of Fort Worth, Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, TCC Opportunity Center, the University of North Texas and Fort Worth ISD.
South Bend Regional Chamber
Jeff Rea
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
General Motors, Verbio North America, Edcoat LLC, AM General, Helios Technologies, Mullen Technologies, Greenleaf Foods
Programs and Initiatives:
The South Bend Regional Chamber is the lead economic development organization for St. Joseph County, Indiana, which also includes Mishawaka. The Chamber responds to state leads and collaborates with partners to showcase the region’s available sites and properties while implementing workforce and education programs to help build the talent pool. Visit South Bend Mishawaka, a department of the Chamber, is the destination management and marketing organization for the county, providing information and resources for visitors. The Michiana Forty under 40 program highlights the achievements of 40 outstanding young adults who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, excellence in their respective careers and a commitment to community. The county’s population has risen by around 5,000 in the past decade to just over 274,000, with 6% growth over the past five years in the 20-24 and 30-34 age cohorts.
Columbia Economic Development
Ryan Coleman
Director
Significant Projects:
Scout Motors, Cirba Solutions, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of South Carolina, Enphase Energy, TMC Transportation, McEntire Produce, Charter Next Generation, Dsv As, Palmetto Gourmet Foods, Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply, Blanchard Machinery Company, Peak Drift Brewing
Programs and Initiatives:
Columbia Economic Development serves as a catalyst for business, developers, investors and partner agencies focused on growing the local economy and high-value industries in a region of just over 837,000 people that has welcomed more than $1.4 billion in corporate investment over the past five years. Target industries include insurance, technology & services, software & IT services, hospitality & retail, bio/life sciences and transport and logistics. CED facilitates site visits, offers assistance in negotiating incentive packages and accessing funds to start up or grow, and connects businesses to service providers and government offices. The organization’s online demographics tool allows users to access and analyze workforce and population data while also providing information on housing, transportation and incomes. Among its nuggets: Nearly 50,000 college students are enrolled in one of six local universities, led by the University of South Carolina’s flagship campus.
World Business Chicago
Michael Fassnacht
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Ford Motor Company, Edged Energy, Iron Mountain Data Centers, Coreweave, Salesforce, TS Data Centers, Ravago America, Upside Foods, CJ Logistics, US Foods, Target Corporation, Cyrusone
Programs and Initiatives:
World Business Chicago’s mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, support businesses and to promote Chicago as a leading global city to help existing companies expand as well as attract new companies. The Community Impact team at World Business Chicago drives equitable and inclusive economic development by assisting businesses looking to expand and grow in historically disinvested neighborhoods. INVEST South/West is the city’s signature economic development platform focused on 10 historically disinvested neighborhoods. WBC’s Economic Dashboard, updated monthly, uses multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive view of employment, businesses and consumer behavior to give users a better understanding of Chicagoland’s strengths and challenges. In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, WBC sent letters to more than 300 CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in states that have since restricted or revoked abortion rights, highlighting that “Chicago remains a welcoming city for all.”
Invest Atlanta // Metro Atlanta Chamber
INVEST ATLANTA
Eloisa Klementich
President & CEO
METRO ATLANTA CHAMBER
Katie Kirkpatrick
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
T5 Data Centers, Hanwha Advanced Materials, Assembly Studios, Kane Studio, Serenbe Lofts, Suniva, Switch, Quality Technology Services, Lions Gate Entertainment, Yakult Honsha, Deutsche Post, Publix Supermarkets, Broadrange Logistics
Programs and Initiatives:
The 29-country metro Atlanta region recently reached 6.3 million in population, surpassing Philadelphia and the nation’s capital to become the sixth-largest metro region in the nation. Among the feathers in its cap is the fall 2023 attraction of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s national training center and headquarters in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Invest Atlanta’s mission is to advance Atlanta’s global competitiveness by growing a strong economy, building vibrant communities and increasing economic prosperity for all Atlantans. Its Open for Business Fund helps small business owners in Atlanta build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology. The Atlanta Startup Growth Loan Program (ASGLP) offers loans from $50,000 to $150,000 to help startups gain momentum and grow through the purchase and acquisition of assets. The Metro Atlanta Chamber advocates for pro-growth, pro-business policies to drive organic growth, promoting the region to the national and global business community. The Chamber’s ATL Action for Racial Equality is a multi-year, multi-step action plan to help address the effects of systemic racism impacting the Black community.
Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) // Greater Rochester Enterprise
ROCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (REDCO)
Dana Miller
Chair
GREATER ROCHESTER ENTERPRISE
Matt Hurlbutt
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Amazon, Coca-Cola Company, T-Mobile US, Protifi, Ultraphil, Diamond Packaging Holdings, Tom James Company.
Programs and Initiatives:
Rochester Economic Development Corporation’s purpose is to drive community-based economic development that increases wealth in every part of the city. The REDCO Resource Partner Enhance Program empowers eligible Entrepreneurial Support Organizations and organizational coaches to support the development of a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow and thrive. The program identifies gaps in technical assistance and training opportunities and addresses new service types to be expanded upon. Greater Rochester Enterprise GRE is a not-for-profit economic development organization committed to attracting new capital investments and creating regional wealth and new jobs throughout Greater Rochester. Targeted industries advanced manufacturing, energy innovation, food and beverage, life sciences, software and IT, semiconductors and optics, photonics and imaging. The organization’s annual report documented the securing of “37 separate company project wins” in 2023, representing more than $1.5 billion of new capital investments, the creation of 1,547 new jobs and the retention of 2,533 jobs.
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
John Rolfe
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Integra Technologies, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, C.E. Machine Co., Yingling Aircraft, Ethanol Products LLC, Mid-Continent Instruments Co., Airxcel, Inc., Cargill, Inc.
Programs and Initiatives:
As the leading advocate for business in Wichita and Sedgwick County, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce helps create a climate of growth and success for small and large businesses across multiple industries. The Chamber publicizes industry data and tools, education and growth resources, networking and peer connections and connections to government officials — an area no doubt enhanced by the January 2024 news that there will be a new direct, daily flight between Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the nation’s capital . “W” (formerly Young Professionals of Wichita) is a community for young professionals that offers networking, leadership and career development programs to prepare young professionals for career and personal growth. In 2023, the Chamber Board of Directors approved a three-year strategic plan built around priorities that include strong business; talent; diversity, equity and inclusion; quality of place; advocacy and sustainability.
Indy Chamber // Indy Partnership
Matt Mindrum
President & CEO
Significant Projects:
Republic Services, Inc.; Bila Solar Pte.; Truck Country of Indiana; Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives; Rayzebio, Inc.; Stitch Consulting Services; Ksm Business Services; The Damien Center, Inc.; Reyes Holdings
Programs and Initiatives:
At press time the Indy Partnership had 25 projects valued at more than $2.3 billion in the pipeline across Greater Indy’s nine-county region. In September, the Indy Chamber announced Matt Mindrum as its new President and CEO. Mindrum brings experience from some of Indiana’s most respected and prominent institutions, having served in significant leadership positions at Eli Lilly and Company, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and Butler University. Most recently, Mindrum served as VP for Growth and Strategy at DaVita Kidney Care, helping to launch and grow a new startup division for the Denver-based health care delivery leader. The ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDi), an anchor program of the Indy Chamber’s Entrepreneur Services division, creates opportunities for current and formerly incarcerated individuals to explore small business ownership as a means of self-sufficiency. REDi provides a six-week training course and one-on-one coaching for justice-involved individuals.
