Forbes/Business—There are parts of the U.S. that are thriving thanks to strong workforces, low business costs and pro-business regulatory environments. With that in mind, Forbes embarked on its annual look at which states have the best business climates.
Utah leads Forbes’ ranking of the Best States for Business for the second straight year and fifth time since 2010 (Virginia ranked No. 1 in 2013). The Beehive State benefits from light regulation and energy costs that are 23% below the national average. Employment has expanded 2.2% annually the past five years, the third best rate in the country. Utah fares well across the board in the metrics we used, landing in the top six in five of the six broad categories we used to determine the Best States for Business.