Alaska is the 32nd Best State for Business 2014

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon

Alaska is considered a “best state” for startups. Since Alaska has no individual income or state-level sales taxes, more entrepreneurs are burning the long, midnight oil in the land of the midnight sun. That qualified it for the No. 4 spot in the Tax Foundation’s latest State Business Tax Climate Index. Last year, the state cut taxes for small businesses earning $222,000 or less, and oil-tax simplification will give Alaska a great economic advantage. The state tied for No. 4 in the three-year Kaufmann Index.

Previous State: Montana Next State: Washington

No. 32 Alaska

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Key Metrics
State GDP 

  • % Growth ’12-’13: -2.5
  • % Growth ’11-’12 v. Nat’l Avg. (2.5%): -1.4

Unemployment

  • Unemployment Rate Dec. 2013 %: 6.4
  • Comparison with Nat’l Rate (6.70%): -0.3

Domestic Migration

  • Domestic Net Migration 2013: -4,006
  • Rank: 35

State Government

  • State Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’13 ($): 9,294
  • State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 766

State-Local Tax Burden

  • Rate (%): 7.0%
  • Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -2.89%
Key Companies
  • General Communication
  • Alaska Communications Systems
  • First National Bank Alaska
Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Oil-tax reform helps competitiveness but minimum-wage hike is threatened.


Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

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


J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon

J.P. Donlon is Editor Emeritus of Chief Executive magazine.

MORE LIKE THIS

  • Get the CEO Briefing

    Sign up today to get weekly access to the latest issues affecting CEOs in every industry

    • upcoming events

    SUBSCRIBE TO THE CEO BRIEFING

    In our weekly newsletter, get insight into the biggest issues facing CEOs, along with strategic ideas, solutions, and interviews.

    GET IN TOUCH

    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    Chief Executive Group

    Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.

    Publications

    Communities

    About