No. 7Arizona
Siting of huge Apple plant in the state juices job-growth machine that remains a top performer. Arizona also is an across-the-board ranking leader in various aspects of business friendliness.
Governor: Jan Brewer (Republican)
Tax Foundation rank: 22
ALEC-Laffer Economic Outlook rank: 6
Kauffman Foundation Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (2012) rank: 20
Total Nonfarm Employment Percentage Growth (2013): 7
Economic-development contact: Arizona Commerce Authority, 602/845-1200, www.azcommerce.com; Sandra Watson, President & CEO