Indiana a Top 10 ‘Best State For Business’

The IEDC says 74 commitments came from businesses bringing new operations to Indiana.

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Indiana has broken into the top 10 of an annual ranking of the Best States for Business for the second time in 12 years. The Forbes list focuses on 41 metrics, ranking states in six categories. Indiana’s number 10 overall ranking is up three spots from a year ago, driven in part by a number one finish in Regulatory Environment.

The Regulatory Environment category considers metrics including labor regulations, health insurance coverage mandates, occupational licensing, right-to-work laws, tax incentives, transportation infrastructure and fiscal health of the state.

Indiana’s overall results were tempered by a Labor Supply ranking of 45. Ohio was the closest-ranked neighboring state, coming in at 14th overall.

The publication sited Indiana’s AAA credit rating from Moody’s and its low cost of living, which is nine percent below the national average and is fifth-lowest.

Indiana by the numbers, according to Forbes:

• Business Costs– 12
• Labor Supply – 45
• Regulatory Environment – 1
• Economic Climate – 23
• Growth Prospects – 18
• Quality of Life – 4

The Top 10 Overall in 2018 are:

1. North Carolina
2. Texas
3. Utah
4. Nebraska
5. Virginia
6. Georgia
7. Florida
8. Colorado
9. North Dakota
10. Indiana

The 10 states ranked lowest are:

• 41. Alabama
• 42. Connecticut
• 43. Rhode Island
• 44. Hawaii
• 45. Mississippi
• 46. Maine
• 47. New Mexico
• 48. Vermont
• 49. Alaska
• 50. West Virginia

You can connect to more about the methodology by clicking here and connect to the full ranking by clicking here.