EDF named among Top Groups

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Site Selection magazine has named Washington Mutual’s decision to locate its new regional operations center in San Antonio one of the Top 10 economic development deals in North America during 2005.

The San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (EDF) worked closely with Washington Mutual to make the case for locating the center in the Alamo City. Washington Mutual’s regional operations center located in North Central San Antonio is projected to bring 4,200 jobs to the city within the next several years, with a payroll of $100 million, and a capital investment of $170 million.

In evaluating the top economic development projects of the year, the editors of Site Selection took into account total capital investment; number of jobs created; regional economic impact; value of jobs created; creativity of the deal; role of incentives in the deal; competition for the project to locate elsewhere; and speed to market.

Adam Bruns, managing editor of Site Selection, writes that one attribute was universal among all the Top Deals: "The drive to get deals done, so people can move on and get business done."

Site Selection also recognized EDF as one of the Top 20 economic development groups in 2005.

"We are honored to be recognized by Site Selection, a respected publication in the economic development field," said EDF President Mario Hernandez. "These honors are a reflection of the hard work and dedication our staff puts into bringing employers like Washington Mutual to San Antonio.