Auburn, Ala. - Forbes.com has ranked Auburn as the #17 Best Small Place for Business and Careers. The top 25 cities were chosen out of 184 metropolitan statistical areas with populations under 245,000. Forbes considered several factors including employment, housing, education and quality of life. Auburn is one of three southern cities ranked in the top 25 places for business and careers, and the only Alabama city to place in the top 50. "It's great to see our city compare well with cities across the nation when it comes to business and careers," said Auburn Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. "It's always gratifying when the national media recognizes what those of us who live here already know - that Auburn is a great place to live and work," Ham added. For more information, contact the Office of the City Manager at 501-7260.