Dayton. Ohio

Ohio's borders are within 500 miles of approximately 60 percent of the country's population and infrastructure for manufacturing, making Dayton an ideal hub for manufacturers, suppliers, and shipping companies. Dayton also plays host to significant innovations in areas of industrial, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering, due in large part to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. With the decline of heavy manufacturing, Dayton's business climate has shifted toward the insurance, legal, healthcare and government sectors.

Aside from defense and aerospace, healthcare accounts for a large part of Dayton's economy. Hospitals in the Greater Dayton area employ nearly 32,000 people, with a yearly economic footprint of nearly $6.8 billion. Premier Health Partners, a network of hospitals, contributes over $2 billion a year to the area through employment and capital expenditures. Many hospitals in the area have been awarded by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and HealthGrades alike for clinical excellence.