California Business Minute™

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute

The Golden State remains steadfast at #32 for a second year in the rankings for the
’Best States for Business according to the annual CNBC ratings.

The methodology used included ten categories, Cost of Business; Workforce; Quality
of Life; Economy; Transportation; Technology and Innovation; Education; Business
Friendly; Access to Capital; Cost of Living.

Texas is ranked the best in the rankings flipping with Virginia from last year. They
were followed by  Colorado, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Iowa, South Dakota,
Minnesota, Utah and Georgia round out the top ten.

Meanwhile Alaska remains the worst for business followed by Hawaii, who flipped with
Rhode Island from 2009.  They were followed by Nevada at #47 (second year in a row);
W. Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Delaware, Michigan and Kentucky round
out the bottom ten.

As for California while it remained in the same position form its 2009 rankings, it
was tied with Arkansas.  Additionally, California was only one of two states that
had more than the top positions in 2 categories.  The Golden State was ranked number
one in Technology and Innovation and Access to Capital. Only Texas had similar
results with ranking number one in economy and transportation.

CALIFORNIA RANKED AGAINST TOP STATES BY CATEGORIES

Category                        State                                   California

Cost of Business              Iowa                                        #49
Workforce                        Florida                                     #23
Quality of Life                   Hawaii                                     #19
Economy                         Texas                                      #12
Transportation                  Texas                                      #15
Tech & Innovation             California                                  #1
Education                        Massachusetts                         #31
Business Friendly             Delaware                                 #49
Access to Capital             California                                  #1
Cost of Living                   Tennessee                                #49 

Of interest - In one category, Access to Capital, 12 states had the highest ranking
reflecting the lowest weighted score of 40.   It was the only category to have such
a criteria weighted like this.  Had the states been given rankings from 1 through 50,
California could have been ranked higher this year.

Lastly, Oregon, Illinois and Ohio lost the most positions year-over-year loosing 5
spots each, while New York gained the most by increasing 8 spots over the year.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.