{"id":93508,"date":"2019-12-30T23:59:39","date_gmt":"2019-12-31T07:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globaltrademag.com\/?p=93508"},"modified":"2019-12-30T18:26:51","modified_gmt":"2019-12-31T02:26:51","slug":"americas-best-cities-houston-tops-global-trades-seventh-annual-roundup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globaltrademag.com\/americas-best-cities-houston-tops-global-trades-seventh-annual-roundup\/","title":{"rendered":"America’s Best Cities: Houston Tops Global Trade’s Seventh Annual Roundup"},"content":{"rendered":"
For Global Trade<\/em>\u2019s seventh annual list of America\u2019s Best Cities, we have crunched the numbers from various public and private sources regarding ports, education, utilities, NAFTA access, export assistance, intermodal access, skilled workforce, transportation, workforce development programs and quality of life.<\/p>\n We ranked the 10 best cities for each related category, awarding points that ultimately put Houston, Texas, over the top as America\u2019s Best City.<\/p>\n Houston is used to topping such lists, as we note with its separate No. 1 ranking on the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration\u2019s 2018 goods export data for the nation’s 392 Metropolitan Statistical Areas.<\/p>\n Incidentally, that government data showed U.S. metro areas exported a significant $1.5 trillion in merchandise across the world in 2018, a $110.3 billion (or 8.1 percent) increase from the year before. Of the 259 metropolitan areas that reported positive export growth, 94 reached record levels.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Trump Administration is committed to addressing trade imbalances, breaking down trade barriers, and providing U.S. companies with new reach in foreign markets,\u201d said Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gilbert Kaplan. \u201cWith this increase in exports over the last year and the continued work of the Commercial Service, it is a fruitful time for American businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n Charts throughout this section show the top cities and their rankings overall and in key areas, while honorably mentioned are the top 10 cities to watch, any of which could be on the way to leading a future Global Trade<\/em> list of America\u2019s Best Cities. But first, here are the top 20 cities, with their rankings, overall scores and some details about what made them leaders.<\/p>\n Overall score: 44<\/p>\n Top category: Education and Colleges (No. 1)<\/p>\n The Houston<\/a>-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area also topped the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration\u2019s 2018 goods export data for the nation’s 392 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. That Texas metropolitan area had $120.7 billion in goods exports while also showing the highest annual dollar growth in exports, expanding $25 billion from 2017 to \u201918.<\/p>\n Overall score: 38<\/p>\n Top category: Skilled\/Educated Workforce (No. 4)<\/p>\n Eight miles west of Minneapolis is Minnetonka, which is home to a key player in the region\u2019s beefy export data. Cargill Inc. reported global beef sales helped lead the nation\u2019s largest privately held company to a $915 million profit for the quarter ended Aug. 31. Minnesotans can moo about state exports rising 10 percent to a record $23 billion in 2018, outpacing the nation\u2019s 8 percent jump.<\/p>\n Overall score: 37<\/p>\n Top category: Transportation Infrastructure (No. 5)<\/p>\n Trading defines Chicago\u2019s importance as a major international city, with two of the biggest commodity exchanges based there. With exports of $47.3 billion, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin) Metropolitan Statistical Area was fifth the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration\u2019s 2018 goods export data for the nation’s 392 MSAs.<\/p>\n Overall score: 32<\/p>\n Top category: Capable, Connected and Logistically Viable Ports (No. 1)<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to start a business, create a new product or have a big idea, New York City is the place to be,\u201d then-mayor Michael Bloomberg said in 2012. That remains true today of the world\u2019s epicenter of finance, communication and culture. The New York-Newark-Jersey City (New York<\/a>-New Jersey-Pennsylvania) Metropolitan Statistical Area came in second in the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration\u2019s 2018 goods export data for the nation’s 392 MSAs, with exports of $97.7 billion.<\/p>\n Overall score: 29<\/p>\n Top category: Transportation Infrastructure (No. 4)<\/p>\n About 70 percent of the Port of Seattle\u2019s containerized cargo originates in, or is destined for, regions of the country outside the Pacific Northwest, making Seattle a trade gateway of regional, national and international significance. That\u2019s partly due to being closer to Asia and Alaska than any other major U.S. seaport and also to two major U.S. railroads being within two miles of container terminals, and two major interstate highways just minutes from all terminals. With exports of $59.7 billion, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA came in fourth in the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration\u2019s 2018 goods export data rankings.<\/p>\n Overall score: 27<\/p>\n Top category: Transportation Infrastructure (No. 3)<\/p>\n1. Houston<\/strong><\/h4>\n
2. Minneapolis<\/strong><\/h4>\n
3. Chicago<\/strong><\/h4>\n
4. New York<\/strong><\/h4>\n
5. Seattle<\/strong><\/h4>\n
6. Los Angeles<\/strong><\/h4>\n