PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked No. 32 on Chief Executive magazine’s 2018 Best & Worst States For Business, a 10-rank jump from 2017, the largest improvement of any state this year.
The state boosted its ranking due to improved responses on its taxation and regulation, as well as living environment. Rhode Island ranked No. 36 in the survey for taxation and regulation, scoring a 4.45 out of 10, compared with a 2.09 out of 10 in 2017.
Chief Executive credited the state for it being easier to do business, highlighted Rhode Island’s professional-training programs, cited its tax incentives, the number of educated millennials in the state and mentioned the growing number of larger companies setting up offices in the state.
The state’s living environment ranked No. 24 in the U.S. with a score of 7.09 out of 10, compared with a 5.91 out of 10 in 2017.
Rhode Island workforce quality ranked No. 29 in the U.S. this year, with a score of 6.36 out of 10, the same score the state received in 2017.
Michigan was the second-most improved state in terms of ranking, rising nine spots from No. 36 to No. 27.
Texas ranked No. 1 overall this year, holding its position from 2017. Florida ranked No. 2 followed by a tie between North Carolina and South Carolina.
California ranked last in the report, behind New York. Massachusetts ranked No. 45 this year.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
