Despite its woes, California maintains its strength as a tech hub, being the home for Silicon Valley startups and investors, as well as the headquarters location for high-tech organizations such as Apple, Google, Cisco and Intel.
Vermont’s rank is 15 spots below New Hampshire, but well above New York, which came in second to last. Maine was 36th, while Massachusetts fell into the bottom five, at 46th.
New Mexico’s GDP growth is significantly lower than other states at just 0.2%, compared to Florida’s 2.4% and Texas’ 4.8%. However, both its unemployment and tax rates are lower than the national average (6.4% and 8.4%, respectively). It’s also suffering from growing pains, including traffic gluts and increased crime in the Carlsbad area. In Albuquerque, the city has received a $100,000 grant, which it plans to use to build a research district, called Innovate Albuquerque, and generate new jobs.
Improving international trade is one way to boost the economy. Recently, a Vietnamese furniture maker opened up a factory in Arkansas, investing $5 million into the local economy and adding 75 jobs, according to the Southwest Times Record.
Having jumped 31 positions from 40th in 2010, Louisiana is the Cinderella state of Chief Executive’s ranking, proving that a concerted effort to transform old habits and policies can truly pay off. The state’s labor and economic development departments are currently preparing for a job boom in the hundreds of thousands.
New York’s high-tech startup, STARTUP-NY, designed to bring jobs to New York, poses some concerns. Critics feel that it is too narrowly focused in terms of the types of companies they are trying to attract and the places where they can be located, and have complained about everything from the cost of the advertising to the political motivations behind it.
The oil boom in North Dakota is driving increases in job availability there, so much so that Census Director John Thompson told the Associated Press that North Dakota was the fastest growing state in the nation. The unemployment rate there is a full 4.1% less than the national average.
Geographically, Delaware is well-positioned for all types of commerce. There are many ways in which this small but mighty state could move forward, and it will be exciting to follow their growth strategy in the year ahead. The first state to ratify the constitution, Delaware is a favored state for incorporation while still remaining “small and personal,” Gov. Markell said.
The relatively low-tax and limited-regulation policies adopted by the state of Texas have provided it with many economic and commercial advantages over other states.
As we eagerly await the announcement of 2014’s Best & Worst States for Business, let’s take a look at last year’s Top 10 States.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
