Originally published June 8, 2016 by Jon Talton, Seattle Times
Conexus Indiana, a private-sector group, and Ball State University have produced a state-by-state report card on manufacturing and logistics. We can quibble about methodology, but Washington’s grades are mixed.
The good news is we get A grades for productivity and innovation, sector diversification, and human capital. The “expected liability gap” (underfunded bond and pension liabilities) grade is B. The report gave Washington a C in logistics health and tax climate, and a C-plus in global reach — the latter surprised me. Worker benefit costs were F — but this is a two-sided coin, often good for workers.
Washington’s overall manufacturing industry health was B-minus this year vs. a C-plus last year. Alaska got an F; Oregon was B-plus, and Idaho B-minus.
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