Mo. tops list of business-creating states

U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by the Kauffman Foundation indicate Missouri led the way in business creation in 2013, the most recent year for which information is available.

Ranked by percentage increase, Missouri grabbed the No. 1 slot by adding 9,052 businesses in 2013, a 16.7 percent increase compared to 7,759 in 2012, according to a news release from Gov. Jay Nixon’s office.

During the same period, 39 states experienced a decrease in new business growth. Kentucky ranked No. 2 with its 6.1 percent increase, while West Virginia bottomed the list, losing 13.5 percent of its businesses.

“Missouri is not only bucking the national trend but leading the country in new business creation,” Nixon said in the release.

The release also pointed to a July Forbes study, which found Missouri is the 10th best state for startup funding.

The fiscal 2016 budget signed by Nixon includes nearly $16 million to promote entrepreneurship via the public-private partnership Missouri Technology Corp.