Oregon is the 42nd Best State for Business 2012

May 2 2012 by ChiefExecutive.net


No 42: Oregon

No. 42

Oregon

Taxation and Regulations
Workforce Quality
Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’07-’10: 2.44
  • % Growth ’07-’10 v. Nat’l Avg. (-0.33%): 2.78

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2011 %: 8.90
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (8.50%): 0.40

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration ’00-’09: 177,375
  • Rank: 11

State Government

  • Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 3,533
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 509.15

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 9.76
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.8%): -0.04
Key Companies
  • Nike
  • Precision CastParts
  • StanCorp Financial
  • Schnitzer Street
Development Trend Indicator: Negative
Slips in a year when battle over health-insurance exchange dominates.
CEO Comments
“Oregon, is a great place to start a business, but all successful businesses move out when the founder leaves. And so does he. The tax structure drives all movable wealth out of the state.”

“”Oregon has taken the approach during the recession that since business tax revenues and personal tax revenues are down, it is not their job to help ease the burden and create easier competitive environment, but instead to increase taxes and regulatory fees to keep government in place. That attitude has crushed many businesses in Oregon and caused much of our customer base to leave the state.”

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