For the second year in a row, Forbes.com has named Virginia the Best State for Business.
The state finished in the top 10 in four of the six main categories we examined…Virginia’s top attributes include an incentive environment that is the fourth-best in the country
Governor Tim Kaine had this to say:
“To receive this honor for a second consecutive year underscores Virginia’s commitment to creating and maintaining a positive economic climate, and it validates the decision our business partners have made to locate here,” Governor Kaine said. “It’s great to be designated the best in the nation, but its even more rewarding to know that Virginia will keep the No. 1 title for yet another year.”
Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran said:
“Today is a great day for Virginia as we are once again named the Best State to do business in America. This recognition is a testament to the results-oriented leadership of Governor Kaine and Governor Warner before him. Two successive Democratic Governors have made Virginia the best state for businesses to bring good, high-paying jobs.
This recent pro-business rating coupled with our recognition as the Best Managed State in the nation, and the best state for a child’s lifetime success, clearly demonstrate that Democratic leadership has made Virginia one of the most prosperous states in the country to raise a family. I’m exceedingly proud to have worked alongside Governor Warner and Governor Kaine to again make Virginia a national leader.”
I sure would like to see a little more analysis on the regulatory environment and labor rankings (VA is 1 and 5, respectively). I suspect not everyone would cheer the details.
Posted by MB | Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 5:31 pmYeah, this is all good and well until you have a grievance to file against an employer: workman’s comp, discrimination, etc. Companies can get away with stuff here that would cost them millions in MA or CA where businesses do just fine, thank you very much.
Posted by anon | Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 6:37 pmMB and anon are right. Virginia is “pro-business” at the expenses of the workers. It has been that way for decades, even before there were awards given out for it.
Posted by Sweatin'Like Nixon | Thursday, July 12, 2007, 8:54 amReading through the article associated with the rankings your looking at, it occurs to me that being ranked #1 for labor (from a business’ perspective) might not be nearly as dubious as we think. It can’t be weighted heavily simply to reflect labor costs and wages, or North Carolina’s ranking would have been much higher (the article states that North Carolina has the second lowest labor costs in the nation, 18% below the national average, yet the state’s overall labor ranking was 22). Virginia’s high labor ranking could mean something else entirely–the skill level of the workforce, for instance.
Posted by anonymous | Thursday, July 12, 2007, 11:37 amMaybe we have more illegals available than NC does!
Posted by Anon E. Mouse | Thursday, July 12, 2007, 12:37 pmAnon E. Mouse, ha ha, no. And Forbes doesn’t exactly compile this list for people in the landscaping business, so unless you’re one of those people who thinks the Mexicans are out to take your job….
Posted by anonymous | Thursday, July 12, 2007, 2:32 pm