Virginia Ranked #1 for being Pro-Business

Taken from the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce’s recent ChamberBits newsletter…

Virginia Ranked #1 Again for Its Pro-Business Environment

Even during these difficult times, Virginia’s pro-business environment has garnered it its latest number one ranking nationally. That’s welcomed and needed good news!

The top slot was accorded to Virginia just this week by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert. It marks the third time the company has recognized the state with its highest ranking and is the sixth time overall that the Commonwealth has received national recognition as the most business-friendly state.

Titled “Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2009: Rebuilding Americans’ Economic Power”, the annual study examined job retention and creation by all 50 states and the federal government. Other states rounding out the top five are Utah, North Carolina, Wyoming and South Carolina.

Virginia also held the top spot in the Pollina study in 2003 and 2007. The Commonwealth ranked second from 2004 to 2006 and third in 2008.

The Pollina study evaluated states based on 33 factors—including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers’ compensation laws, economic incentives programs, and state economic development efforts.

In recent years, Virginia has been recognized as the most business-friendly state in America (Forbes.com 2006-2008), one of the best states for business (CNBC 2007 and 2008), the top-performing state government in America (Governing Magazine 2008) and the state where “a child is most likely to have a successful life (Education Week 2007).”

Earlier this month, the Commonwealth also ranked second in Directorship magazine’s first annual Boardroom Guide to the Best States for Business. The guide assesses the litigation climate in each of the 50 states, as well as the economy, tax climate, cost of living, education, and other measures. In Directorship’s study, Virginia ranked in the top 10 on quality of life, higher education, economy, and the state litigation ranking.

Chicago-based Pollina Corporate Real Estate is a full-service brokerage and consulting firm representing corporations in real estate matters on a national and international basis.

None of these accomplishments is possible without steady, pro-business leadership – at all levels.