P.M. BRIEFING : Delaware Tops Manufacturing List

Delaware is the most attractive state for manufacturing, according to a survey of state officials and business groups issued today by the accounting firm Grant Thornton.

Delaware replaced New Hampshire, which fell from No. 1 in the 1988 survey to No. 3 in this year’s edition behind Virginia.

Peter Praetz, manager of the survey, said Delaware was favored because of its skilled work force, wage levels and government policies toward manufacturing.

Praetz acknowledged that states such as New Hampshire, Vermont and Mississippi--usually ranked high in the survey--have not become manufacturing giants.

And states ranked low on the list, including No. 22-ranked California, have had significant growth in manufacturing in the last year, he said.