Forbes magazine has rated Appleton as #27 in its list of the best small metropolitan areas for business and careers. This is a big honor given the huge selection of competitors. Green Bay was ranked #106, Milwaukee #124, and Madison #31. The listings are based on considerations of economic conditions, quality of life, education, income growth, job growth, cost of doing business, etc.

Among the large metro areas was #4, Boise, Idaho - a town where I spend some wonderful boyhood years. But Appleton is hard to beat, and I'm so pleased to be raising my family here.