How does your state rank for its business climate?
Once again, Chief Executive magazine polled CFOs, controllers and financial executives for their take on which states are best to do business in.
Survey respondents weighed factors such as tax rates, regulatory burdens, the job candidate market, traffic, climate, etc.
Here are the top 10:
- Texas
- Florida
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Indiana
- Arizona
- Nevada
- Louisiana
- Georgia
The biggest jumper in this group is, by far, Louisiana. The Pelican State ranked a dismal 40th on Chief Executive’s list back in 2010.
But with can-do Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) helping lead the way, business leaders are a lo-o-ot more enthusiastic about Louisiana. Quite a turnaround in such a short time.
And as usual, Texas topped the list again. Despite a weak economic recovery, the Lone Star State is attracting businesses and job seekers.
What do others surveys reveal?
Winning Strategies also surveys corporate executives every year about their views of which states are best to set up shop and do business in.
For the first time this year, Winning Strategies also polled execs on which three states they thought had the worst business climate. Again – we’re talking opinions here, personal and professional viewpoints.
But they do tell a lot about where decision-makers are enthusiastic (or not) about working, making deals, you name it.
Winning Strategies’ top five states for business climate are:
- Texas (ranked as at least “top three” by 49% of voters)
- Florida (18%)
- (tie) Georgia, North Carolina (16% each)
- South Carolina (12%)
- Tennessee (11%)
The common theme: All Southern, right-to-work states. On the flip side, here are the bottom five:
- California (ranked among the worst by 74% of voters)
- New York (42%)
- Illinois (34%)
- New Jersey (16%)
- Massachusetts (11%)
