GMW - Filter Results by State part 1

gistfile1.phtml

function gmw_states_dropdown( $gmw ) {
     
     global $wpdb;
     
     //get states exist in locations table in database
     //Note that DISTINCT is being used to make sure each state called only once.
     $states = $wpdb->get_col("
          SELECT DISTINCT `state_long` 
          FROM {$wpdb->prefix}places_locator 
          WHERE `state_long` IS NOT NULL 
          and trim(coalesce(state_long, '')) <>'' 
          ORDER BY `state_long`");
     ?>
     
     <!--- create the states select box.
          note that the javascript that automatically 
          submits the form when state value changes -->
     <select class="gmw-state-dropdown" name="gmw_state" 
          onchange="jQuery(this).closest('form').submit()">
          
        <option value="" selected="selected">State</option>
        
        <!--- loop through states and add to the select box -->
        <?php foreach ( $states as $state ) { ?>
        
        	<option value="<?php echo $state; ?>">
        	     <?php echo $state; ?>
        	</option>
        	
        <?php } ?>
        
    </select>
    
}