The 7 Best States to Start a Business
Ranking the states based on how friendly they are to entrepreneurs

When it comes to starting a business, the question of "where" can be just as important as "what," "why," and "how." Some states offer better business climates for entrepreneurs than others. And in today's economy, entrepreneurs need all the help they can get when launching a new business.

U.S. News decided to look at two comprehensive studies that take completely different approaches to measuring the friendliness of the 50 states to entrepreneurs: the
2008 New State Economy Index, by the Kauffman Foundation and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and the Small Business Survival Index 2008, by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. 

They combined the rankings of these two studies to help come up with their list of the top seven states for starting a business. Click here to learn what they found.

Nevada Ranks #2 in Business Survival Index 
December 9, 2008--The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) released its 13th annual rankings of the states according to their public policy climates for small business and entrepreneurship in the "
Small Business Survival Index 2008: Ranking the Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship Across the Nation."

SBE Council chief economist Raymond J. Keating, author of the study, said: "The U.S. economy is in a serious downturn, and the outlook for a robust recovery seems remote. That means state and local policymakers face some very difficult decisions, especially on budget matters. Depending on the policy course that state lawmakers choose, they can either make the economic situation in their own state better or far worse."

In terms of their policy environments, the most entrepreneur-friendly states under the "Small Business Survival Index 2008" are: 1) South Dakota, 2) Nevada, 3) Wyoming, 4) Florida, 5) Washington, 6) Texas, 7) South Carolina, 8) Alabama, 9) Virginia, and 10) Colorado. The more difficult state policy environments for entrepreneurs include: 40) West Virginia, 41) Hawaii, 42) Iowa, 43) Vermont, 44) Massachusetts, 45) New York, 46) Minnesota, 47) Rhode Island, 48) Maine, 49) California, 50) New Jersey and 51) District of Columbia.

What CEOs are saying about Nevada
When Development Counsellors International (DCI) conducted its survey last summer, CEOs ranked Nevada as the 5th best business climate in the U.S. 
Click here to read what CEOs are saying about Nevada.  To download a copy of the full report, visit DCI's website by clicking here.

 
 
 

$2.6 Million Boost to Rural Nevada

Nevada CDBG Advisory Committee Announces Recommendations

Carson City, Nev. –March 27, 2008 – Rural community development recently received a $2.6 million boost from the Nevada Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.   At its annual meeting last week, the CDBG Advisory Committee recommended funding for 18 projects across rural Nevada.

“CDBG is a cornerstone of our efforts to address the significant community development needs of rural Nevada,” said Lt. Governor Brian K. Krolicki.  “This federally funded program has infused more than $54.7 million into rural Nevada’s infrastructure during the past 25 years.”   

CDBG funds are spent on projects that improve the quality of life for low- and moderate-income Americans, provide or retain jobs and stimulate the economy.  “Collectively, this year’s recommended projects are leveraged with a further $8.4 million in other grants, cash and in-kind support, and are expected to benefit more than 43,000 Nevadans,” added Krolicki. 

The projects recommended for funding this year range from a security system for the Carson Valley Children’s Center to water storage and supply improvements for the City of Wells.  Financial and technical assistance will be provided for five water and wastewater projects in Caliente, Ely, Wells, and Esmeralda and Storey counties. 

Six other grants are for construction-related projects in Elko, Fallon, West Wendover, and Lincoln, Lyon and Mineral counties.  These include rehabilitation of a recreational park in Elko; assistance to acquire a new facility for the New Frontier Treatment Center in Fallon; and the partial restoration of the historic USO building in Hawthorne, which houses the convention and visitors’ center.

Other projects recommended for funding include: procurement of water tenders for the fire authorities in White Pine, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility projects in Churchill County; housing rehabilitation and homelessness programs throughout the state; and assistance to the Nevada Small Business Development Centers in rural Nevada.

      The recommendations are presented to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and will be forwarded to the Governor for approval.  Funding will be available July 1, 2008.  The next round of applications for the 2009-10 funding cycle will be due January 2009.

      The state’s program excludes Carson City, Reno, Sparks, Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County.  These locations receive funds directly from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Indian Tribes and projects on federally recognized Tribal Lands also receive direct funds from HUD.