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This year, Springfield ranked 191, which is down from the 162 ranking a year prior.
Springfield dropped in all categories, with the exception to high-tech growth and companies within the area, which saw an increase in rankings. The increase can be attributed to the Ohio/Indiana UAS Test Center in Springfield.
The report was split up between large and small Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Small metropolitan areas consisted of areas with a population of less than 262,000 people.
“The goal of our Best-Performing Cities index is to help businesses, investors, industry associations, development agencies and government officials, academics, and public-policy groups monitor and evaluate how well their metro is promoting economic vitality relative to the rest of the country,” according to the institute. “The index also provides benchmarking data that can inform approaches to improving a region’s performance.”
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Three other small Ohio cities also made the list:
• Lima, ranked 119.
• Mansfield, ranked 167.
• Steubenville, ranked 194.
Several larger metropolitan areas in Ohio also made the list. Dayton was ranked 129, up from 174 in 2015. That’s behind Columbus (65), Cincinnati (84), Toledo (99) and Akron (124). Here are how other large Ohio cities ranked:
According to the report, Dayton, Toledo, and Akron all benefited from exposure to the auto sector.
Springfield has made Milken’s best performing list since 2005.
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