GMW - Filter Results by State part 4

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>
    
    <?php
    
}
add_action( 'gmw_search_form_before_distance', 'gmw_states_dropdown', 15 );