Washington is America’s “Top State for Business”
Washington moved into the top spot in the 2017 CNBC Top States for Business rankings. Workforce, infrastructure, business costs, economy, quality of life, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living are factored into the scoring.
Washington’s economy grew 3.7% in 2016, nearly two and a half times the national rate. The state boasts the nation’s largest concentration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) workers, and follows California in the most patents filed last year.
The home of Amazon, Costco, Boeing and Expedia, as well as rising stars like space company Blue Origin, Washington has the old and new economies covered. Lately, the state has been a magnet for investment capital. Washington businesses attracted nearly $1.6 billion in venture capital last year.
Washington moved up to #1 from sixth place in 2016.
Washington ranked #3 in Tech & Innovation.
Read CNBC’s announcement.
Note from GSI:
Washington state ranked #37 in cost of living, but there is quite a discrepency between the west and east sides of the state. The cost of living index for Seattle is 145, while Spokane’s is only 98.
The cost of doing business in the state overall ranked #32, but Spokane’s cost of doing business is 18% below the national average.
We make a case for Spokane having the best of both worlds…a great location in a very competitive state, without the hassle of traffic and high rents!
If you don’t know Spokane, give us a call and we’ll be happy to show you around. 1.800.SPOKANE.