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.

 
 
 
Workforce & Education
Train Employees Now

Grant Program and Guidelines

The Nevada Train Employees Now Program provides short-term, skills based intensive job training to assist new and expanding firms to reach productivity quickly. A customized program is designed covering recruitment, hiring and job training for Nevada residents. It is the State's policy to support firms demonstrating a human-relations commitment through a meaningful wage and fringe benefit policy.

Each training program is designed jointly by the firm and state agencies. Major elements of the program include the development of a job applicant list, programming, materials, and classroom training. State agencies involved are the Commission on Economic Development, the Employment Security Division and the State Job Training Office, both divisions of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation. Training providers include local community colleges, private post-secondary institutions, or others identified by the applicant.

Program Benefits

  • Assistance with employee screening;
  • The employer determines the goals and objectives of the training;
  • Most direct training costs are eligible for reimbursement, including:
    • Consumable materials and equipment
    • Rental of tools and equipment
    • Rental of training site
    • Instructor salaries and benefits
    • Travel and per diem for limited number of instructors and trainees (if applicable).
Eligibility
  • Businesses must hire a minimum of 10 trainees to participate. Trainees must be Nevada residents. The ceiling expenditure per trainee is $1,000.
  • Wages for jobs considered for training must exceed 80% of the statewide or county average annual hourly wage, whichever is less. (Current statewide average hourly wage is $16.04)
  • usinesses must provide health insurance with option for dependents.
  • Training is provided only for full-time, primary jobs created by companies locating or undertaking a significant expansion in Nevada.
  • Existing businesses must prove growth by physical expansion, significantly increased employment or other factors indicating new investment and job creation.
  • Grants are available for short-term customized training for new employees.
  • Classroom training is limited to 30 days and must be completed within a 90-day period.
  • Training must commence within the first 90 days after approval by the Commission. If the deadline is not met, the Commission, after review and reconsideration, may reallocate the monies to other companies seeking funding during the fiscal year.
  • The program can fund up to 75% of total eligible costs. The company is required to contribute at least 25% of total eligible costs.
  • Businesses must attempt to leverage other state and federal training resources wherever feasible.
  • Businesses (or parent company) must have a proven business history.
  • Businesses must commit to Nevada for five years. Businesses that fail to meet program criteria as set out in their application, may be required to return all or a portion of the funds.
  • Companies that receive Train Employees Now funding are required to provide to the Commission a report regarding the employees trained with these funds. (Current work status, "trainees" hourly wage and company employment counts.)
Training providers that receive Train Employees Now funding will provide to Commission staff and the Commission a report of all companies and their funding and training status on a quarterly basis during the training period. Records must be maintained for possible Legislative review.

Note: Applications for program development and related costs will be evaluated by a local post-secondary educational institution before final payment is rendered. If approved, these training monies will be granted to the appropriate educational institution, NOT the business.

For additional information on the Train Employees Now program contact:
Commission on Economic Development
108 E. Proctor Street
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-4325
800-336-1600
Fax: 775-687-4450
Email: [email protected]