Virginia Thrives in International Trade

By Rachel Hamilton

“We’ve got a very strong business climate,” says Martin Briley, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Virginia’s 6 percent corporate income tax rate has remained the same since 1972. Thirty-two Fortune 1,000 firms are headquartered in the state, and “780…

Texas’ Economic Developers Work for Business

By David Hodes

It’s boom time again for Texas. And it’s more than just gas and oil leading the charge. Jonathan Taylor, the director of the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development, says that his office is busier than ever, with applications for business development up 30…

Oregon Selling Home-Grown Opportunities

By David Hodes

“First and foremost the state economic activity is prioritizing a ‘grow your own’ approach,” says Sean Robbins, director of Business Oregon, part of the state’s economic development department. “That is the primary thrust of our strategy.”

Robbins says where many states will be talking about recruitment…

North Dakota Has Jobs

By Rachel Duran

North Dakota’s workforce recruitment campaign, “Find the Good Life in North Dakota,” is a broad-based effort to spread the message across the country that the state has job openings, especially in the oil and gas sector. Since 2000, North Dakota has created more than 116…

New Mexico Improves Its Tax Climate

By Rachel Hamilton

New Mexico has made some big changes to its business climate, in particular making large improvements to the tax structure.

“Through the bipartisan leadership of Governor [Suzanna] Martinez, New Mexico has reduced its business tax rate by 24 percent,” says Jon Barela, cabinet secretary of the New…