By Michael C. Randle
Economic development job- and investment-generating project activity has never been better than in 2026 in the South, the world’s third largest economy. To date, the South has averaged 200 big buffalo announcements each quarter in 2026 for a total of 601 through three quarters.
The 34-year-old SB&D 100, which is our ranking of publicly announced projects in the 13-state Southern region of the U.S. meeting or exceeding 200 jobs and/or $30 million in investment, has never seen 601 projects announced in the first three quarters of any year. In fact, the record total is 730 deals announced in 2015. The lowest totals in 34 years were in 2021 with 364 (pandemic) and in 2009 with 367 (Great Recession).
In fact, 2014 to 2017 were the four best years in the ranking’s history, and the years the U.S. economy came roaring back from the Great Recession. Yes, the recession ended in 2009, and it took another five years to set those records. In other words, total recovery from the Great Recession was five years in the making, and it was the automotive industry that pulled us to heights not seen in decades.
Could an all-time SB&D 100 record be set in 2026?
With 601 projects announced in Q1-Q3, and an average of 200 per quarter, the South has an excellent chance at beating the 730-project record made in 2015.
The mood among corporate investors after the recent November elections will determine more than anything how the rest of the year goes in terms of big deal counts.
Data centers were a major and surprisingly decisive factor in the midterm elections. It should be noted that 74 percent of this year’s projects meeting or exceeding our thresholds are data center related. That is more than concerning, but why argue with never-before-seen success?
State performances through Q3 2026
As for state big deal counts, Texas is the king of economic development, not only in the South, but in the world. North Carolina is on a huge roll as well.
In Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup in November, Texas came out on top with 1,400 projects, double that of second place Illinois.
It should also be noted that most states have been above their 34-year averages this year. One state to note is Arkansas, which through three quarters so far this year, has seen its best year in four decades with a quarter to go.
Mississippi and Oklahoma are also running way above average, but Georgia and Florida are right at their annual averages, if not slightly below by a few deals.
The only state below its 34-year average is Tennessee. All the others are above their averages.
The *State Count of “Big Buffalo” through Q3 2026
TX 178
NC 61
GA 44
FL 41
SC 39
VA 38
AL 34
KY 31
MS 31
LA 30
TN 30
AR 24
OK 17
DC 3
Total: 601
*Projects meeting or exceeding 200 jobs and/or $30 million in investment
Source: SB&D
