(SmartAsset)  Local investment and economic expansion are positive signs for communities because of the quality of life improvements they signify. In light of this, financial technology company SmartAsset released a study on the counties receiving the greatest amount of investment in their local economies.

Stutsman County ranked among the top places in North Dakota due to a strong showing in each of the factors considered by the company including: business growth, GDP growth, new building permits and federal funding.

The table below shows where Stutsman County compared to other top counties in North Dakota:

Rank County Business Growth GDP Growth ($ in millions) New Building Permits (per 1,000 homes) Federal Funding (per capita) Incoming Investment Index
1 McKenzie, ND 38.5% $-9 19.1 $69 75.64
2 Cass, ND 6.4% $-92 23.7 $2,077 55.12
3 Morton, ND 4.8% $-14 20.4 $45 49.66
4 Williams, ND 19.2% $-27 10.3 $4 49.22
5 Mountrail, ND 22.0% $-7 3.4 $586 43.17
6 Burleigh, ND 5.4% $-52 13.2 $249 41.38
7 Grand Forks, ND 1.6% $-33 10.4 $1,340 35.02
8 Stark, ND 6.6% $-21 5.9 $40 33.59
9 Barnes, ND -0.3% $-6 9.3 $126 32.07
10 Stutsman, ND 5.6% $-12 4.7 $245 31.38

Additional study details including the methodology and interactive map can be found here: https://smartasset.com/investing/investment-calculator#northdakota