Butler County, Ohio, the Hamilton-Middletown Metropolitan Statistical Area, was ranked as the best performing Ohio metro area for job creation in the Milken Institute’s 2004 Best Performing Cities Index.  The index ranks U.S. metros based on their ability to create and sustain jobs.  It includes both long-term (five years) and short-term (one year) measurements of employment and salary growth.  There are also four measurements of technology output growth, which are included because of tech’s crucial role in regional economic growth.

The Milken Institute Best Performing Cities index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas based upon their economic performance and their ability to create, as well as keep, the greatest number of jobs in the nation.

Metros with low business costs and a knowledge-based economy demonstrate that new jobs can be created in America and need not move offshore.  This index enables businesses, industry associations, economic development agencies, investors, academics, governments, and public policy groups, to assess and monitor recent metro performance.

The Best Performing Cities index is outcomes-based.  Its components measure job, wage and salary, and technology growth.

COVETED RATINGS 
 2006  Americas 50 Hottest Cities (Cincinnati - Middletown MSA)
 2005 Five-Star Logistics Metro
 Ohio ranked by Business Facilities Magazine as the number three "Automotive Power 
    Center" state as measured by automotive influence and number 11 as one of the "Top
    States for Biotech Growth.
  2005 Five-Star Knowledge-Based Workforce rating.
  2005 Five-Star Business Opportunity metro
  One of the Top 50 MSAs in the U.S. for "quality of life."
  Ranks 6th in U.S. as the best metro areas for business expansion and relocations
  One of the top American Super Cities of the Future