The Dakotas fared very well in a recent economic assessment of states conducted for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
The study, called “Enterprising States: Getting Down to Small Business,” examined factors such as each state’s economic environment, job growth and income trends.
“Booming North Dakota leads the way again in overall economic performance, owing to the confluence of its energy boom, strong agricultural economy, and (perhaps surprisingly) well-educated young workforce,” according to the foundation’s report.
“With booming job growth, surging incomes, and a rising population, North Dakota’s economic miracle shows few signs of ending,” the report says.
North Dakota ranked in the top half of all six economic categories that were reviewed, including first-place finishes in science and math-related job growth and in legal environment.
South Dakota, meanwhile, ranked first in overall business climate. South Dakota finished in the Top 10 in four categories and no worse than 26th in any category. It ranked first in business policy, second in state and local tax burden, and second in business tax climate.
“South Dakota has shown solid economic performance,” the study says.
The positive findings are no surprise to those of us who live and work in the Dakotas. The challenge is to bring the results to the attention of the rest of the country.
You can check out study results at http://foundation.uschamber.com/PDF/ES2013.pdf.
