POPULATION: 642,200 (Census 2000)

LABOR FORCE: 369,671 (2008)

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Agricultural production, mining

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Information technology (computer programming services, shared service centers-back offices, manufacturing software, electronic commerce), food processing, industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, energy, renewable energy

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 22% (2000 census)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: Effective Jan. 1, 2009, a new corporate income tax rate lowered the percentage range at which corporations are tax; currently, the corporate income tax rate range is 2.1 to 6.4 percent with exemptions

Sales Tax: 5 percent on retail sales of tangible personal property and certain services; more than 100 cities levy local tax, ranging between 1 and 2 percent

Property Tax: Administered, levied (at different levels), collected, and expended at the local level to support schools, counties, cities, townships, and other local government units; state does not levy a property tax for general government operations (with exemptions); five-year property tax exemption for new and expanding businesses with two extensions available

Unemployment Tax: 1.17 percent of the first $23,700 of wages per employee for new businesses, nonconstruction

Workers’ Compensation Tax: Rates apply to only the first $23,700 of wages per employee. Employers may be eligible for a discount on their premium.