"If members of a site selection committee want to visit a particular metro area, then City Profiles is their one-stop source for information on all kinds of travel-related services, such as hotels, motels, restaurants, transportation services, and car rentals, says David Bianco, a spokesman for Omnigraphics, Inc., publishers of City Profiles USA 2003.

Another way site selection officials can use City Profiles, says Bianco: "The directories in City Profiles enable site selection professionals to provide information on the nearest urban area if a site under consideration is not located within a particular city."

Adds Bianco: "If a specific urban area is being considered, City Profiles offers valuable contact data for organizations like the local BBB, chamber of commerce, convention and visitors bureau, mayor, and similar offices."

Economic development offices, likewise, will find City Profiles USA 2003 useful predicts Bianco. "Development officials who represent a particular city, could use City Profiles to find out more about their competition (i.e., other urban areas) and the resources they have available."

Jenny Shangraw, Information Resource Manager at The Right Place Program, echoes Bianco's views. "We try to focus on communities that have a manufacturing presence, and we'll use profile sources like this one as a competitive intelligence tool." Shangraw's group, The Right Place Program (Grand Rapids, MI), promotes economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and technology in the Greater Grand Rapids area. The Right Place Program develops jobs through business retention, expansion and attraction efforts.

City Profiles USA 2003 provides data on major Canadian cities, as well. The 6th edition has 929 pages, and costs $130.00. For ordering information, call 1-800-234-1340, or go to www.omnigraphics.com, or E-mail: info@omnigraphics.com

- compiled by Michael Keating, research editor for Expansion Management magazine.