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Lilly taking root
in Prince William County
by Paula C.
Squires
Virginia Business
December 2003
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Site
Selection's 2003 Top 25 State Business Climate
Rankings
Overall Ranking
1. North Carolina
2. Michigan
3. Tennessee
4. Ohio
4. Virginia
6. Texas
7. Georgia
8. Illinois
9. South Carolina
10. Florida
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Eli
Lilly & Co. is moving along with construction of
a $425 million insulin-manufacturing plant in Prince
William County. “They’re clearing land. Crews
are out there. They’re on schedule to complete
it by 2005,” says Jason Grant, communications director
for the county’s Department of Economic Development.
The plant, expected to employ more than 700 people,
is across the street from George Mason University’s
Prince William campus, a source of biotechnology workers
and one of the key reasons Eli Lilly chose the county
from among 300 sites in 15 states.
Major
deals such as Eli Lilly have helped move Virginia into
the top 10 of state business climate rankings by Site
Selection magazine. In its 2003 rankings, Virginia is
tied for 4th place with Ohio, moving up from 11th place
a year ago. The rankings are based on number of major
new plant openings and expansions and the results of
an annual survey of corporate real estate executives.
The states at the top in 2003 are North Carolina—
ranked the No. 1 business climate in America for three
consecutive years — followed by Michigan and Tennessee.
Over the past year, leaders in the Tar Heel state have
pushed through reforms, including a $700 million transportation
improvement bill.
Virginia
Business - December 2003
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