The Birmingham News
BIRMINGHAM -- The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranked Alabama the sixth friendliest state for entrepreneurship in its 2011 edition of the nonpartisan business advocacy group's annual report.
The report, "Small Business Survival Index," measures public policy climates for entrepreneurship in all states and Washington, D.C. It analyzes 44 factors related to "government-imposed or government-related costs," such as taxes, regulatory costs, government spending and energy costs. The report pointed out that the none of the top five states imposed taxes on personal income, individual capital gains, corporate income or corporate capital gains.
"That's good news for entrepreneurship and investment, and they combine for a huge competitive advantage," it said.
Ranked first through fifth were South Dakota, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming and South Carolina. The bottom five rankings went to Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, with Washington, D.C. coming in last.