Southern States at Opposite Ends of Forbes.com Poll

Forbs.com recently released a new poll outlining the best states in the nation for business. The top three states are all in the South; Virginia, Texas, and North Carolina.

The individual metrics Virginia scored well in included taxes, where it ranked seventh, at 15% below the national average according to West Chester, Pa., research firm Moody's Economy.com. Pollina Corporate Real Estate, a commercial real estate consulting firm, examined each state's incentive programs for Forbes.com and found Virginia's to be second best behind South Carolina. That ranking combined with its solid tort climate propelled Virginia to the top spot in the regulatory environment category.

North Carolina’s higher education system, growth potential, low labor costs and business incentive programs were cited a strengths. While three southern states top the list, others sit at the bottom.

Mississippi, West Virginia and 50th-ranked Louisiana bring up the rear of the ranking (to be fair, Mississippi and Louisiana were hurt by the devastation that Hurricane Katrina inflicted). All three states suffer from weak labor pools and growth prospects as well as a poor quality-of-life ranking.

While Southern states all face similar problems, we should remember that some have not felt the Southern population and economic surge of recent years. Progressives across the South should look towards their neighbors for insights both good and bad.