During 1984, California again ranked as the...

During 1984, California again ranked as the No.1 site for new business and business expansions, attracting more companies planning major development projects than any other state. Among counties in the state, Orange County ranked fourth for expansions or new businesses.

The figures released by the state Department of Commerce, which represent only those companies investing $500,000 or more in new industrial development, list 28 expansions by Orange County companies. Also, during the year seven businesses selected Orange County sites for their operations.

Other counties seeing a boom in new businesses and expansion in 1984 were Santa Clara, with 68 new or expanding projects; San Diego, with 61; and Los Angeles County, with 58. Also, Alameda County tied Orange County, with 35 projects, of which 29 are expansions of existing businesses.

According to the department, it was the second year in a row that California led the nation in attracting major business growth.