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Competitive Utility Rates and Ease of Permitting Help Land Mississippi in Ninth Place

Mississippi once again ranked ninth overall among the Top States for Doing Business. Mississippi scored high in several categories, including ranking among the top-five positions for its competitive utility rates, competitive labor costs, speed of permitting, and overall cost of doing business.

Fall 2012
Top States for Doing Business Full Results: 2012 Top States for
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
Winning States Offer Low Taxes, Generous Incentives, and Fewer Regulations
Eric Stavriotis, Senior Vice President, Strategic Consulting, Jones Lang LaSalle
States With Deep Pools of Skilled Workers Come Out on Top
Scott Redabaugh, Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle
Most notably, the state tied for second for both its competitive utility rates and speed of permitting. "We have an incredible utility infrastructure in the state and some great partnerships with our energy providers who help to keep this state competitive," says Brent Christensen, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

Mississippi prides itself on helping businesses quickly navigate through its permitting processes. For example, the Department of Environmental Quality has a long track record of moving major projects through the permitting process very quickly. When Nissan decided to locate a new plant in Canton back in 2000, the permitting process was completed in 74 days. Permitting for another key employer in the state, Severstal, which included a one-million-square-foot campus on 1,400 acres, was completed in just 62 days.

A key priority for Mississippi going forward is improving its work force training programs - a necessity when trying to attract new businesses to the state and also when working with existing businesses on their expansion plans. "In the coming months, you will see us build on those strengths and improve those training programs that we have in place," says Christensen. That effort is an important part of Governor Bryant's Mississippi Works Agenda. The state will be working with community colleges and the Department of Employee Security among other partners to make sure that it has a very consistent work force development system in place.

In May, Governor Bryant signed legislation to further enhance the state's business climate. That legislation included four key components. One was the Healthcare Industry Zone Act, which is aimed at improving access to healthcare. Those healthcare providers that invest more than $10 million in a facility or create at least 25 full-time jobs within an established Health Care Zone are eligible for tax incentives. In addition, Mississippi passed legislation regarding the elimination of many of the inventory taxes, revisions to workers' compensation regulations, and the Small Business Regulatory Commission act.

"We're constantly improving on this business climate, and striving to make Mississippi even more business-friendly, while we continue to make sure that the needs are met for our new and existing businesses," says Christensen.

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