ATLANTA - Site Selection magazine has selected its annual Top Utilities in Economic Development, based on the following mix of objective and subjective criteria: Analysis of corporate end-user project activity in 2011 in that company’s territory based on the Conway Data New Plant Database and submitted materials from utilities; survey input from corporate end users and site consultants; website tools and data; innovative programs and incentives for business, including energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; and the utility’s own job-creating infrastructure and facility investment trends.
The winning utilities, in alphabetical order, are Ameren, St. Louis, Mo.; American Electric Power, Columbus, Ohio; CenterPoint Energy, Houston, Texas; Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C.; Entergy, New Orleans, La.; FirstEnergy, Akron, Ohio; Georgia Power, Atlanta, Ga.; LG&E/KU, Louisville, Ky.; Progress Energy, Raleigh, N.C.; and Tennessee Valley Authority, Nashville, Tenn.
Those qualifying for Honorable Mention include Alabama Power, Birmingham, Ala.; Dominion Virginia Power, Richmond, Va.; Hoosier Energy, Bloomington, Ind.; Mississippi Power, Gulfport, Miss.; National Grid, Syracuse, N.Y.; Northeast Utilities, Hartford, Conn.; NV Energy, Las Vegas, Nev.; Portland General Electric, Portland, Ore.; South Carolina Power Team, Columbia, S.C.; and Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, Minn.
“The Top Utilities of 2012 transmit positive energy and connect better than most,” says Adam Bruns, managing editor of Site Selection. “That’s because they understand the power of people.”
"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 2011."
The entire Top Utilities article and the annual Utilities Directory appear in the September 2012 edition of Site Selection and appear online at www.siteselection.com. Also featured in the issue:
• Reports on energy innovations, infrastructure, logistics, and plastics & chemicals;
• The Canada 2012 Report, including Site Selection’s annual Canadian Competitiveness Award and Top Canadian Groups awards;
• State spotlights on Texas, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Massachusetts and the Dakotas;
• International spotlights on Malaysia and the United Kingdom;
• Area reports on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Upper Midwest regions;
• Investment Profiles of Malaysia; San Bernardino County; North Dakota; Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; Georgia; Pittsburgh, Pa.; utility Ameren; Indiana; Fulton County, Ga.; and Columbus, Ohio.
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,” “The Site Selection Life Sciences Report” and “Site Selection International” 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.