North Carolina Ranks 2nd for Business Climate

In a study by the marketing firm, Development Counsellors International, North Carolina received second billing behind Texas as the best business climate.

The study interviewed 281 corporate executives and is conducted every three years. DCI explained that North Carolina received such high ranking due to its strong labor market, low operating costs and its pro-business climate.

DCI President Andrew T. Levine stated, "With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey. Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location's business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs."

To round out the Top Five states, Georgia is third, followed by Tennessee and Florida, which were tied for Fourth.

Finishing last on the list was California as respondents cited taxes, high costs, and an "anti-business" regulatory environment.

Steven W. Nelson, a local Realtor in Raleigh exclaims that "it is no surprise to me that the Top Five were dominated by Southern states. Being born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, I experienced first hand the deterioration of the business climate there as the Labor Unions garnered too much power throughout the state and the elected officials continued to raise taxes to pay for social reform." He went on to say that it reminded him of the Ann Rand novel, Atlas Shrugged, where the producers decided to quite producing and let the economy collapse upon itself.

Development Counsellors International is a leader in marketing places. With more than 350 past clients since 1960, they have served cities around the globe to better market to enhance economic development and travel marketing.