Virginia again received a top three ranking in two coveted categories—the Commonwealth was ranked No. 3 in Best Business Climate and No. 2 for Economic Growth Potential. Virginia also received top ten recognition in the categories of Employment Leaders, Credit Quality, Per Capita Income, and Workforce Health and Safety.

As part of its eighth annual ranking, Business Facilities magazine weighed factors such as educational climate, the availability of workforce training, cost of labor, infrastructure, utility costs, credit rating and business tax climate. The magazine gave extra credit to states that have established pro-business policies.

According to Business Facilities magazine, “As the Commonwealth continues to rack up an impressive tally of corporate headquarters relocations, Virginia also has established itself as a high-tech hub with its new Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, anchored by jet-engine maker Rolls-Royce.”

Virginia also received recognition for its leadership in two industry sectors— Aerospace and Biotech.

The Commonwealth was ranked No. 7 in the category of Aerospace/Defense Industry Leaders. With more than 230 aerospace companies calling Virginia home, the Commonwealth continues to attract industry leaders such as Alcoa Howmet, Cobham Composite Products, Dynamic Aviation, Northrop Grumman, Dynamic Aviation, Orbital Sciences, Rockwell Collins and Rolls-Royce. First in the nation for Department of Defense Prime Contracts in 2011, companies have invested more than $1.5 billion in relocating or expanding in Virginia over the last 10 years.

Virginia was also ranked No. 2 as an Emerging Biotech Hub. Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic life sciences cluster, Virginia offers biotech companies access to 11 federally-funded R&D centers as well as leading private institutions, such as SRI International and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. With the highest concentration of high-tech workers according to Cyberstates 2011, it’s easy to see why nearly 800 life science companies have chosen to locate operations in the Commonwealth.

To learn why companies have prospered in the Commonwealth for more than 400 years, click here.