Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro Top “Micropolitans” in Virginia

Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro’s economy ranks among the country’s strongest micropolitan areas, according to Site Selection Magazine.  In the recently published March issue, Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro is tied at #13 in the national ranking with 6 projects.  The only other Virginia locality to make the list, Martinsville, comes in at #32.  The digital issue of the magazine is available online.

“Micropolitan” is defined by the US Census Bureau as an “urbanized area based around a town or city with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 people”.

Rankings are established by including projects that meet at least one of three criteria: at least $1 million in new capital investment, a minimum of 20,000 square feet of new construction, and / or creation of at least 50 new jobs.

Three projects in Waynesboro include the nTelos, Inc, Lumos Networks expansions and the PPI / Time Zero, Inc development.  The other three contributors are the Cadence, Fisher Auto Parts, and Innovative Refrigeration Systems expansions.

Virginia received the number five ranking nationally, up from number 10 last year.  New corporate facilities and expansions increased 44% over 2010.