A study by fDi Intelligence, a global investment research group, named Wilmington the leading "American City of the Future" in the Micro City category, which includes cities with a population of fewer than 100,000 people.

The study found that Wilmington had the highest number of foreign direct investment projects per 100,000 people. Wilmington was up against 38 other cities in the Micro City class.

Wilmington also topped the "economic potential" and "connectivity" subcategories, but dropped to ninth place in "human capital and lifestyle" and fell completely out of the top ten in "business friendliness."

In addition, fDi Intelligence surveyed economic development organizations for a better look at each city's strategy for attracting future investment. This information did not factor into the rankings, but the organization did recognize the best strategies in each category. The Canadian city of Frederickton, New Brunswick was recognized in the Micro City category.

New York City took the top ranking among major cities. Sunnyvale, in California's Silicon Valley, placed first in the small cities category of cities, with populations between 100,000 and 350,000.