Economic Development

Recent Accolades

2012

50 Fastest Growing MSA's in the Nation
(Census)

100 Fastest Growing Counties in America
(Census)

2011

Top 100 Leading Locations
(Area Development Magazine)

Top 10 Tax Friendly States for Retirement
(Kiplinger)

Top 20 in Nation in Restaurant Growth Index
(Nielsen)

Top 20 for Best Nightlife and Affordable Housing
(Bloomberg Businessweek)

The Best Small Places for Business and Careers
(Forbes)

Named Healthy Hometowns (Hattiesburg & Sumrall)
(Blue Cross Blue Shield Mississippi Foundation)

America's Top 10 Historic Neighborhoods (Hattiesburg)
(American Planning Association (APA))

2010

Ten Great Small Towns to Operate a Business and to Retire
(Southern Business & Development)

Top 30 Best Performing Cities
(Milken Institute)

14th in Best Cities for Job Growth
(NewGeography.com)

Best Adventure Towns
(National Geographic)

50 Cities & 10 Lifestyles Energizing Businesses
(Entrepreneur  Magazine)

2009

9th Best Place in U.S. to Launch a Small Business
(CNN/Money.com)

Top 100 Places
(Where to Retire Magazine)

Earlier

Top College Town for Grown Ups
(Kiplinger - 2007)

Top 10 Affordable College Towns
(Coldwell Banker Study - 2006)