While Virginia fell to No. 4 (after being either 1 or 2 for almost a decade) in Forbes’ most recent “Best States for Business and Careers” report, Washington, at No. 8, gained one spot over last year’s rating.
With iconic companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Nordstrom, Starbucks, and Costco making Washington their home, our state is a cradle for innovation and venture capitalists are well aware of it. In fact, they invested $2.3 billion in our state between 2011 and 2013. And our total economic output last year was $408 billion.
Forbes’ ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: cost, labor supply, regulatory environment, economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. 36 points of data are factored in to determine the ranks in these areas.
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