Expansion Management magazine has named the Austin-Round Rock MSA the Best Overall Metro in a prestigious ranking that beat out 362 other regions.

“We’re proud that the Austin-Round Rock MSA was recently named as the number one overall Metro area in which to locate a business,” said Austin Mayor Will Wynn. “Job creation, business expansions, and sales tax revenues are all up while unemployment is down. City, county and state governments have been working together with school districts and the business community to ensure that Austin is a top competitor for good jobs that will enhance our reputation as one of the best cities in the country in which to live, work and play.”

The ranking was announced as part of the magazine’s “Fourth Annual Mayor’s Challenge” ranking metro areas that have achieved solid ratings across the board. The story cited Samsung’s decision to build its next generation semiconductor plant in Austin as proof that businesses choose Austin because it offers the “total package”. The magazine pointed out that successful economic development programs result in increased job opportunities that benefit the community as a whole.

“Economic Development is a regional effort in this area,” said Dave Porter, Sr. Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Austin Chamber. “From the cities to the counties to the Chamber, we all work together to ensure a company finds the best fit for what they are looking for. The result has been successful growth of the Chamber’s Opportunity Austin program, a five year initiative to create 72,000 new jobs by 2008.”

Regional Partners are a key component of Opportunity Austin’s progress. Regional Partners include the City of Austin, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, City of Cedar Park, Elgin Economic Development Corporation, City of Georgetown, Hutto Economic Development Corporation, City of Kyle, City of Leander, City of Lockhart, Pflugerville Community Development Corporation, Round Rock Economic Development Partnership, San Marcos Economic Development and Taylor Economic Development Corporation. Recent regional announcements include Accurate Elastomer Products in Elgin, Burrows Manufacturing in Taylor, Dig-Tech in Bastrop, Lakeside Hospital in Bastrop, Lone Star Circle of Care in Georgetown and Round Rock, and MAXIMUS in San Marcos.

“I don’t know of a better example of regional cooperation anywhere,” said Joe Vining, Vice President of Economic Development for the Round Rock Economic Development Partnership. “We are proud to be part of it.”

Other factors that weighed into the ranking included the best overall secondary school districts, the greatest concentration of workers with post-secondary advanced and technical degrees, high quality healthcare at a reasonable cost, a place where employees can enjoy an exceptional quality of life at a reasonable salary, the best logistics infrastructure, and the best business climates as established by the state legislature in terms of taxes and spending.

Expansion Management magazine is aimed at executives looking to expand or relocate their facilities.