Georgia once again comes in first and, interestingly, the lowest it was ranked in any category was third. Site selection projects are comprehensive and consider many factors such as property, workforce, cost, and business climate. Georgia understands this and has developed its programs and policies to be comprehensive and pro-business, but they are also consistent and stable year after year. Having the biggest southern city, a strong eastern deepwater port, and one of the world’s busiest airports adds to Georgia’s attractive traits. The state has the whole package and is able to compete for various types of projects including manufacturing, distribution/logistics, and headquarters.
Over the years, the Southern States have established policies and programs to ensure that they are competitive and pro-business, but other states are beginning to catch up. While Southern States still dominate the list, the Midwest and Central States are gaining ground, with Ohio and Indiana staying in the top 10, but others such as Oklahoma, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri making the top 20.
Looking forward, the Southern States must continuously adapt their strategies to the changing site selection environment in order to maintain their competitive position and reputation. If they don’t adapt, then the Midwest and Central States will move up the list more quickly, as they are creating policies and tools that are business-friendly and focused on promoting economic growth.
TOP STATES FOR DOING BUSINESS 2019
- 1. Georgia
- 2. Tennessee
- 3. South Carolina
- 4. Alabama
- 5. North Carolina
- 6. Texas
- 7. Mississippi
- 8. Louisiana
- 9. Ohio
- 10. Indiana
- 10T. Virginia
- 12. Kentucky
- 12T Florida
- 14 Arkansas
- 15. Oklahoma
- 16. Arizona
- 17. Iowa
- 18. New York
- 19. Michigan
- 20. Missouri
Individual Categories
Overall Cost of Doing Business
- 1. Tennessee
- 2. Texas
- 3. Georgia
- 3T. South Carolina
- 3T. Alabama
- 6. North Carolina
- 6T. Mississippi
- 8. Arkansas
- 9. Florida
- 10. Indiana
Corporate Tax Environment
- 1. Texas
- 2. North Carolina
- 3. Georgia
- 3T. Florida
- 5. Tennessee
- 6. Alabama
- 7. Indiana
- 8. South Dakota
- 8T. Nevada
- 10. Mississippi
Business Incentives Programs
- 1. South Carolina
- 2. Georgia
- 2T. Tennessee
- 4. Alabama
- 5. Mississippi
- 6. Texas
- 7. Louisiana
- 7T. Ohio
- 9. North Carolina
- 10. Indiana
Access to Capital & Project Funding
- 1. California
- 2. New York
- 3. Georgia
- 4. Texas
- 5. Tennessee
- 5T. Ohio
- 5T. North Carolina
- 5T. Massachusetts
- 9. South Carolina
- 9T. Virginia
- 9T. Florida
Competitive Labor Environment
- 1. Georgia
- 2. Texas
- 3. Tennessee
- 3T. North Carolina
- 5. South Carolina
- 5T. Alabama
- 5T. Indiana
- 8. Ohio
- 9. Virginia
- 9T. Arizona
Leading Workforce Development Programs
- 1. Georgia
- 2. South Carolina
- 3. Louisiana
- 4. Alabama
- 5. North Carolina
- 6. Tennessee
- 7. Virginia
- 8. Ohio
- 9. Kentucky
- 10. Oklahoma
Shovel-Ready Sites Program
- 1. Tennessee
- 2. Georgia
- 3. South Carolina
- 4. North Carolina
- 5. Alabama
- 6. Ohio
- 7. Texas
- 7T. Kentucky
- 9. Virginia
- 9T. Mississippi
- 9T. Missouri
- 9T. Iowa
Cooperative & Responsive State Government
- 1. Tennessee
- 1T. Georgia
- 3. South Carolina
- 4. Alabama
- 5. North Carolina
- 6. Texas
- 7. Virginia
- 7T. Mississippi
- 7T. Indiana
- 7T. Arkansas
Favorable General Regulatory Environment
- 1. Alabama
- 2. Texas
- 3. Georgia
- 4. South Carolina
- 5. Tennessee
- 6. Mississippi
- 7. Arkansas
- 8. North Carolina
- 8T. Kentucky
- 8T. Louisiana
- 8T. Iowa
Favorable Utility Rates
- 1. Tennessee
- 2. Georgia
- 3. South Carolina
- 3T. Washington
- 5. North Carolina
- 6. Kentucky
- 6T. Louisiana
- 8. Alabama
- 8T. Idaho
- 8T. Mississippi
- 8T. Texas
Most Improved Economic Development Policies
- 1. Ohio
- 2. Georgia
- 2T. Alabama
- 4. North Carolina
- 4T. Arizona
- 6. Tennessee
- 6T. Virginia
- 6T. Kentucky
- 6T. Indiana
- 10. Michigan
Speed of Permitting
- 1. Georgia
- 1T. Alabama
- 3. South Carolina
- 4. Tennessee
- 4T. Mississippi
- 6. North Carolina
- 6T. Arkansas
- 8. Louisiana
- 9. Virginia
- 9T. Texas
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Categories:
- Overall Cost of Doing Business
- Corporate Tax Environment
- Business Incentive Programs
- Access to Capital & Project Funding
- Competitive Labor Environment
- Leading Workforce Development Programs
- Shovel-Ready Sites Program
- Cooperative & Responsive State Government
- Favorable General Regulatory Environment
- Favorable Utility Rates
- Most Improved Economic Development Policies
- Speed of Permitting