Among smaller metro areas, St. George finished behind top-ranked Midland, Texas; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Bend, Ore. The report said St. George had job and wage growth higher than the national average during the 2002-2007 period, "outpacing all the other small cities on the index."

Despite the strong showing in the Milken report, Utah's job growth has slowed in recent months. While an estimated 7,300 jobs have been created during the past year, the growth was 10,800 jobs during the previous year-over-year period. And the 0.6 percent growth rate this past year was the lowest 12-month rate since 2002-2003, according to the Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah, released Tuesday.

Even so, Perry said Utah, unlike some states, is still experiencing positive job growth. "We certainly see enough opportunities in the businesses that we have helped recruit and the businesses that are growing in the state that I think we will stay in positive territory in terms of job growth."

The Milken report may be read at www.milkeninstitute.org.

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E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com