From Deseret News archives:
Utah is ranked No. 2 in competitiveness
According to a new report by the Beacon Hill Institute at Boston's Suffolk University, Utah ranks No. 2 among all states in overall business competitiveness.
Utah ranked high in technology, its labor force and infrastructure, pushing the state from a No. 4 ranking in 2003 to this year's second-place finish.
The 2004 rankings are based on several variables, ranging from electricity prices and crime statistics to venture capital investments and science degrees awarded. Each variable was weighted equally under eight separate subindexes, which in turn were averaged to come up with an overall ranking for each state.
David Tuerck, executive director of the institute, said Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in technology and No. 1 in fostering a climate that promotes the creation of new businesses.
"We don't do nearly as well as you do in governmental and fiscal policy," Tuerck said. "To some extent this is still 'Taxachusetts.' Overall, your government policy beats ours substantially."
Other areas boosting Utah's competitiveness (with state rank):
- Percent of students enrolled in degree-granting institutions per 1,000 residents: First.
- Bond rating, derived from a composite of Standard and Poor's and Moody's ratings: First.
- Electricity prices per million BTUs: Fifth.
- Science and engineering degrees awarded per 100,000 inhabitants: Ninth.
- Percentage of total wage and salary jobs in high technology industries: 11th.
- Average travel time to work: 12th.
"You do very well in human resources. In technology you're high and in business incubation you're high," Tuerck said. "You're breathing down our necks."
Other states ranking in the top 10 were Washington, Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia and Kansas. The five least-competitive states were Hawaii, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
States are considered competitive if they have policies and conditions that ensured and sustained a high level of per capita income and continued growth.
Jeff Gochnour, director of the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development, said the report confirms that Utah is a well-managed state and a great place to do business.
Comments
- Spartans hold on to beat Citadel 7:06 p.m.
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims 6:57 p.m.
- UTA, union continue contract talks 6:44 p.m.
- Alleged controversy in '07 Jazz game 6:39 p.m.
- U. says it needs campus repairs 6:31 p.m.
- Ranking the bowl games 6:30 p.m.
- $2M error could mean layoffs 6:29 p.m.
- Stranded hikers rescued 6:24 p.m.
- Payson family loses home in fire 6:10 p.m.
- Teen's turbulent past outlined 6:00 p.m.
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
277 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
256 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
202 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
191 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Cougars going back to Vegas
142 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
140 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
129 - Letters: Global warming a lie
129 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
Where is Maxi Hall? Did he get invited?
The UN just needs to be disbanded or moved outside the US. The buildings and...
Try Bowl ChickenS. The SEC was scared stiff that TCU would beat Alabama and...
There is no suspension on the outcome. You know that BYU will lose the...
He's good. Therefore, what he does must be good. I always thought that that...
Though the game should be exciting, it is a joke!
the rest of the schools in utah also need campus repairs. The U already gets...
"By not changeing to sustainable zero polution energy you are condemming your...
You Obama lovers voted for an "idea." An "idea" that is not working nor...
Having lived through the Winds of Hope and Change in the 1960's in Afrrica...


You can be the first to comment on this story.