Ann Arbor (WWJ) -- Ahead of Saturday's U of M-Ohio State football clash in Ann Arbor, the Ohio Business Development Corporation is taking a swipe at Michigan--with the help of the Wall Street Journal.
The agency, in an effort to lure investment dollars, has taken out a large ad on page 11 of Wednesday's WSJ Midwest circulation, touting the Buckeye state as the "state of perfect balance," featuring OSU president E. Gordon Gee and Ohio Stadium.
WWJ first learned about the ad Tuesday and contacted the public relations firm representing the OBDC, which said the ad was purposely timed for the Michigan-Ohio State game.
The firm also offered these selling points being used by the offense-minded ODBC:
--Ohio ranked best in the Midwest for business climate, according to Site Selection's 2007 top states for business list.
--Ohio's 2005 tax reform made the state's effective rate on new capital improvements the lowest in the Midwest.
--Ohio ranked No. 1 in the Midwest in a ranking of state brands by the Anholt State Brands Index 2006.
--Ohio ranked No. 4 in the nation for best tort climate, according to a 2006 report by the Pacific Research Institute.
Not to be outdone, WWJ contacted the office of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, whose staff put up a solid defensive stand with these tidbits:
--Michigan ranked 6th Best State for Small Biz in 2007, Ohio 29th (Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council)
--Michigan Signs Two of North America Top Ten Deals: Ford Motor $1 billion investment, United Solar Ovonic solar cell facility in Greenville (Site Selection (May 2007))
--Michigan Remains 10-Year Leading State for Cumulative Projects, Total of 11,612 major new corporate facilities, expansions from 1997-2006 (Site Selection)
--#4 State for Engineering Degrees Awarded (American Association of Engineering Societies)
--#4 State for Small Tech Innovation 2006 (Small Times)
--#4 State for Industry Investment in R&D 2007 (State New Economy Index)
--Detroit #1 Sports City in North America (Sporting News (2007))
--Ann Arbor #5 Best Place to Live in the U.S. (2007 Sperling's annual Cities Ranked and Rated Guide)
--#3 State in U.S. Manufacturing One of top 14 states best positioned to compete nationally, globally (eMvoy Research (2006))
--Michigan #3 State for Economic Development Achievement (Business Facilities (2006))
The ad also describes its grads using the phrase "leaders...the best," a possible jab to U of M's long-standing mantra, "the leaders and best."
Also worth noting is Rock Financial's decision this week to move to downtown Detroit. The mortgage lender is owned by Dan Gilbert, majority owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Gilbert has degrees from both Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
Both sides, though, could agree on this: It's just good-natured competition ahead of Saturday's game, which you can hear on WOMC.
Click here to view the Wall Street Journal ad.
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