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Arizona is the 10th Best State for Business 2012

No. 10

Arizona

Taxation and Regulations
Workforce Quality
Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’07-’10: -6.70
  • % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): -6.37

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 8.70
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): 0.20

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: 696,793
  • Rank: 3

State Government

  • Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 2,188
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 473.07

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 8.67
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): -1.13
Key Companies
  • Freeport-McMoran
  • Avnet
  • Republic Services
Development Trend Indicator: Positive
Entrepreneurial activity surges as companies hope for personal-property tax relief.
CEO Comments
“Arizona provides the best bottom line operating environment and the least regulation – so that business needs get met. It’s an overlooked west coast location.”

“Arizona only appears on the surface to be business friendly – for micro mainstreet businesses they appear to do their best to make it difficult to do business in this state – counties and cities are difficult to work around.”

Sources:
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NewGeography.com
The Tax Foundation

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Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.
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