Virginia is the most business-friendly state in the nation, according to a ranking by Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc., Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced today.
Pollina ranked states on 33 criteria, including taxes, human resources, right-to-work laws, energy costs and economic development efforts.
“During these tough economic times in particular, reclaiming the No. 1 ranking speaks volumes about the consistent way in which Virginia does business – and demonstrates that we’re up for the challenge,” Kaine said in a statement.
Pollina ranked Virginia third last year and first in 2007, according to a news release from Kaine’s office. Pollina, based in Chicago, is a real estate brokerage and consulting firm.
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Who Are The Business Owners?
Just wondering, nothing personal, how many of the comments on this report are from business owners?
A little off
We are business AND worker friendly. Right to work also means that as workers, you can leave your job at any time without ramifications from your employer (read, they can't sue you for damages if you leave and don't give notice). So it goes both ways. As for wages in the area, you can have Northern VA. The wages may be higher but so is the cost of living in a BIG way. I believe that Navy wives have had an impact in some areas around here too. I've seen the impact myself. To the one who wrote she was fired because she got pregnant, I don't think that was purely due to being a Navy wife - the manager would probably have done that with anyone who got pregnant. IF you are a great worker, their loss. On a side note, thank you for your service to our country and same for your husband!
Great Place for Business
Lets see, "Right to Work", Workers Comp benefits that even Mississippi exceeds, Depressed wages because of the heavy military presence (because they don't get paid well, so they have to take second and third jobs cheap to make ends meet), Employers who offer no benefits. Politicians bought and paid for by Defense contractors, Utilities, and Lobbyists, Yep no wonder we are a great place for business. ...
Right to work
Everyone seems to forget the employee works for the business, not the other way around. As for wages sure wages are lower than northern VA but the cost of living is lower too. Lower tax bracket, no tolls, energy costs are cheaper, etc.
"Business friendly"
Another way of saying, "low wages, low taxes, lots of illegal alien workers and weak OSHA enforcement"
YAY! You know what this
YAY! You know what this means... OPPORTUNITY! For a tax increase on business! We need to subsidize all these entitlements we're providing.
Military Wives
You think military housewives ruined business here? How about you try being one first! Each time a potential employer found out my husband was military, I was given the same ole' song..."we found you highly qualified, but don't think you'll be here long term, so we've hired someone else" and dance! I've been here going on 9 years, thank you very much. We quit good paying jobs each time we relocate, making us ineligible for unemployment benefits, but you know what...I wouldn't have it any other way! We've budgeted appropriatley so that our children are properly taken care of. Business friendly...I think NOT!
AND..........
"Right to work" simply means "right to fire you for no reason." I'm in the military. My wife got a job at Priority Chevrolet. On the day before her birthday (when they would have had a small office party) they fired her because she had shared with co-workers that she was pregnant with twins. The person that let her go actually said that she would be able to handle a job while raising twins anyway. Maybe she could. Maybe she couldn't. We'll never know, because we're a "right to work" state.
p.s. hi sean.
We're business friendly...
because we're a "Right to Work" state. The unions and Obama haven't grabbed all the power....yet.
Tax'n Timmy
would have gladly ruined this if he could have pushed through adding the barely working, welfare benefiting, part-timers, to the unemployment roles. Good for the Republican in the general assembly for ensuring we stay on the right course!!!
yeah?
Ok so Va is business-friendly. Here in Hampton Roads is where higher paying jobs are needed - most are in northern Va. Area Chamber of Commerces and council leaders did the damage years ago when they touted this area over-run with military housewifes ripe for work, needed no benefits and would not be long-term employees to attract 'businesses'. And here's where we stayed...lots of burger slinging or clothes selling jobs at close to or at minimum wage. Whoopie!
This is all Tim Kaine's Fault
Oh wait this is a good thing.....nevermind.