Categories: 2014 Best & Worst States

Washington is the 36th Best State for Business 2013

Previous State: Maine Next State: Rhode Island

No. 36Washington

Taxations & Regulations

Workforce Quality

Living Environment

Based on CEO Survey by ChiefExecutive.net

Key Metrics
State GDP % Growth ’10-’11: 2.0 % Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5 Unemployment Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 7.5 Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -0.3 Domestic Migration Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: 35,166 Rank: 4 State Government Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,098 State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 527.3 State-Local Tax Burden Rate (%): 8.7 Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.13

Key Metrics

State GDP

% Growth ’10-’11: 2.0
% Growth ’10-’11 v. Nat’l Avg. (1.5%): 0.5

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate Dec. 2012 %: 7.5
Comparison with Nat’l Rate (7.80%): -0.3

Domestic Migration

Domestic Net Migration ’10-’11: 35,166
Rank: 4

State Government

Debt per Capita Fiscal Year ’10 ($): 4,098
State & Local Gov’t Employees per 10k Residents: 527.3

State-Local Tax Burden

Rate (%): 8.7
Compared to Nat’l Avg. (9.9%): -1.13

Key Companies
Costco Microsoft Amazon.com Starbucks Weyerhauser

Development Trend Indicator: Neutral
Standoff between houses of legislature leaves financial reforms in the lurch.

CEO Comments
“So far, Washington is smart enough to recognize where its jobs come from.” “WA charges annual business fees and has B & O tax and not business friendly as others.” “Portland and Washington, especially SW Washington are moving into the new best place to work. Their culture and environment are extremely supportive of creative, innovative companies. They will in the next few years be the best place to work mecca. Government is actively interested in seeing this become reality as is the overall business community”

CEO Comments

“So far, Washington is smart enough to recognize where its jobs come from.”

“WA charges annual business fees and has B & O tax and not business friendly as others.”

“Portland and Washington, especially SW Washington are moving into the new best place to work. Their culture and environment are extremely supportive of creative, innovative companies. They will in the next few years be the best place to work mecca. Government is actively interested in seeing this become reality as is the overall business community”

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

Previous State: #35 Maine Next State: #37 Rhode Island

J.P. Donlon

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