POPULATION: 642,200 (Census 2000)

LABOR FORCE: 365,598 (2007)

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, radio frequency identification (RFID)

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

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: 2.6 percent on first $3,000, 4.1 percent on $3,001 to $8,000, 5.6 percent on $8,001 to $20,000, 6.4 percent on $20,001 to $30,000, 6.5 percent on income over $30,000; five-year corporate income tax exemption for qualifying businesses

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 $22,100 of wages per employee for new businesses, nonconstruction

Workers' Compensation Tax: Rates apply to only the first $22,100 of wages per employee. Employers may be eligible for a discount on their premium.