MO ranks among top states for business

Missouri ranked No. 8 in the Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2011, an annual study conducted by Chicago-based international brokerage and consulting firm Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc.

Last year, Missouri ranked No. 10, its first time to make the list, according to an Aug. 15 news release from the governor's office.

“Our efforts to grow Missouri’s economy, create jobs and maintain a state government that lives within its means are paying off not only in this recognition by Pollina, but also through the positive direction that the state’s economy has clearly taken," Gov. Jay Nixon said in the release.

Missouri's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a point to 8.7 percent in July, its lowest point since March 2009. It also has dropped eight-tenths of a point since January.

According to the release, Missouri's year-to-date exports are up 13 percent compared to the same time last year.

The study - which examines job retention and creation efforts - ranks states based on myriad factors, including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers compensation laws, economic incentive programs and economic development efforts.

Locally, state incentives have aided several businesses in expansion plans, including Expedia Inc.'s Springfield operations, Ford Motor Co.'s Claycomo plant, Roma of Springfield and Marshfield-based manufacturer Architectural Components Group Inc., among others.

The study's Top 10 is:

1. Virginia
2. Utah
3. North Dakota
4. Wyoming
5. Nebraska
6. Kansas
7. South Dakota
8. Missouri
9. South Carolina
10. Indiana

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