1.   There, governors were aggressively courting companies like Rohr to help offset high unemployment and rural poverty.

2.   Although the area has since rebounded and now has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, state and local government officials have avidly courted the company.

3.   Another Russian oil company, Tyumen, has been courting Western companies, especially BP, to form some sort of strategic partnership.

4.   City officials worked hard to court the company.

5.   Dilettoso said he was courting companies like TRW and US West, but they backed off.

6.   From the start, Nasdaq has courted new companies, offering lower listing fees and simplifying the process for young firms to trade their shares.

7.   Furthermore, the city, and one of its most ardent boosters the late Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, actively courted the company.

8.   Investment banks courted companies that had been around for several years, had proven management teams and looked likely to remain solid.

9.   Some small businesses say they doubt that revenues from subway advertising have increased significantly since the MTA began courting larger companies.

10.   Still, South African companies are courted by many countries and companies.