
Doing Business Survey »
OVERALL RANKINGS
2012
1. Texas
2. South Carolina
3. Georgia
4. Alabama
5. North Carolina
6. Louisiana
7. Tennessee
8. Indiana
9. Mississippi
10. Oklahoma
2011
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Alabama
4. South Carolina
5. Indiana
6. Louisiana
7. North Carolina
8. Tennessee
9. Mississippi
10. California
2010
1. Tennessee
2. Texas
3. South Carolina
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Indiana
7. Mississippi
8. North Carolina
9. Virginia
10. Oklahoma
CONSULTANTS COMMENTARY

Eric Stavriotis, Senior Vice President, Strategic Consulting, Jones Lang LaSalle

Scott Redabaugh, Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle

Dan Levine, Pricipal, MetroCompare LLC

Kathy Mussio, Managing Partner, Atlas Insight
Another notable initiative in the past year is Governor Mary Fallin's "Fallin for Business" survey that polled more than 5,300 existing business owners across the state. The survey results are being provided to legislative leaders to help frame issues for the next legislative session.
Two key economic development resources for Oklahoma are the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, which provides incentives for job creation, and the Pooled Finance Program, which helps finance the expansion of business enterprises. One new program that will go into effect on November 1st is the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund. "In addition to our low cost of doing business and the incentives we offer, we have made improvements in the development of our work force for the new jobs and opportunities that our available," says Hackler.
Oklahoma's energy sector has played a key role in the state's position as one of the leaders in economic recovery. The state sits on a large reserve of natural gas. That position has been advantageous in fostering growth. The state also is working on initiatives, such as promoting the purchase of natural-gas-fueled vehicles, which have the added benefit of improving the country's energy independence.
Aerospace is another important growth industry for the state, and Oklahoma offers incentives, such as the Aerospace Engineer Workforce Tax Credit. "The aerospace and energy sectors, as well as manufacturing, are very important to the continued growth of the state and these sectors have all helped in the recovery of Oklahoma," adds Hackler.