For the fourth consecutive year, Alabama has been ranked among the top five states nationwide for doing business. Area Development magazine on Friday published “2013 Top States for Doing Business” and said Alabama ranks fourth overall nationally and is a top-five state in 15 specific economic development categories, Governor Robert Bentley.
He said Alabama’s statewide development plan called “Accelerate Alabama” focuses on high-paying jobs from numerous industry categories.
“Alabama has a positive business climate, and we’re always working to attract more new jobs,” Bentley said. “We have a strong workforce, and our job training program is recognized for excellence throughout the business community.”
He said economic developers are “spreading the message that Alabama is a great place to do business.”
Within the 15 categories, Alabama ranked: No. 1 for Competitive Labor Costs; No. 2 for Right-to-Work Environment and Speed of Permitting; No. 3 for Overall Labor Climate, Cost of Doing Business, Competitive Utility Rates, Most Favorable Regulatory Environment, and Incentive Programs; No. 4 for Consultants’ Site Location Choice – States Most Mentioned by Respondents, Overall Business Environment, Overall Top Ten State for Doing Business, Leading Workforce Development Programs, and Overall Infrastructure and Global Access; and, No. 5 for Cooperative State Government, Certified Sites/Shovel Ready Programs.
Bentley said Area Development is a national business publication covering site selection and facility planning and its rankings were from a survey of leading site selection consultants nationwide.
“Alabama has a proven track record in economic development and 2013 promises to be another strong year,” the magazine said. “State and local leaders are working together to carry out Accelerate Alabama, the state’s long-term economic development plan based on three economic development drivers: recruitment of new business and industry, retention and expansion of existing businesses and industry, and creating jobs through innovation, entrepreneurship, research and development, and commercialization.”
A review of this year’s Top States for Doing Business along with commentary is on-line in the third quarter issue Area Development.
-Dana Beyerle