Here are some additional facts behind our ratings of five regional cities' employment opportunites:

        Income: In 1998 per capita income, Cleveland led this super region at $29,239, Indianapolis $29,022; Cincinnati at $28,507 was about even with Columbus at $28,454. Louisville $27,749.

        Venture capital: In a “snapshot” tally from second quarter of 2000, Arthur Anderson ranked Cincinnati dead last in the region with only $11.2 million. Louisville, $113 million; Indianapolis, $89.9 million; Columbus, $73.4 million; Cleveland, $47.5 million.

        Cincinnati's Blue Chip, Walnut and River Cities funds report $425 million invested in recent years, but Austin invested much more ($561.7 million) in just one quarter last year.

        Export sales: In 1999, the Commerce Department reports Cincinnati led with $6.78 billion. Cleveland was second at $5.35 billion; Indianapolis, $5.18 billion; Louisville, $2.39 billion; Columbus, $1.96 billion.

        Portland's export sales totaled $9.36 billion; Phoenix, $7.53 billion; Austin, $4.93 billion; Charlotte, $2.75 billion.

        The TransAtlantic Business Dialogue sessions in Cincinnati last November recognized this metro's export strength. More than 300 foreign-owned companies (100 Japanese) add to the mix.

        Patents: Cincinnati led the region in patents (1995-1999) with 2,232. But Procter & Gamble accounted for half of them. Indianapolis, thanks to Eli Lilly, was second with 1,847. Cleveland, 1,132; Columbus, 796; Louisville, 345.

        Wired: Some rating groups give Cincinnati the regional lead for “most wired cities” (Internet use, Web sites, fiber optic cable and other digital measures). Austin usually places in the top five “most wired cities.” Cincinnati Bell has 3,000 route miles of fiber optic, with more on the way.

        Unions: For 1999, Arthur Anderson put Louisville highest for union members at 13 percent; Cincinnati followed with 11.3; Cleveland 10.2; Indianapolis 9.4; Columbus 7.9.

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