MONTGOMERY – For the fourth consecutive year, Alabama ranks among the top five states for doing business according to Area Development magazine.

In the “2013 Top States for Doing Business” published Friday by Area Development, Alabama ranks fourth in the nation overall.

“Alabama has a positive business climate, and we’re always working to attract more new jobs,” Gov. Robert Bentley said.  “We have a strong workforce, and our job training program is recognized for excellence throughout the business community. We have a statewide economic development plan called Accelerate Alabama, which focuses on recruiting high-paying jobs from a variety of industries. We’re spreading the message that Alabama is a great place to do business, and I’m proud that, once again, Area Development is recognizing Alabama’s progress.”

Alabama also ranks as a top-five state in 15 specific economic development categories.  Within those categories, Alabama ranked:

• First for Competitive Labor Costs
• Second for Right-to-Work Environment
• Second for Speed of Permitting
• Third for Overall Labor Climate
• Third for Cost of Doing Business
• Third for Competitive Utility Rates
• Third for Most Favorable Regulatory Environment
• Third for Incentive Programs
• Fourth for Consultants’ Site Location Choice – States Most Mentioned by Respondents
• Fourth for Overall Business Environment
• Fourth for Overall Top Ten State for Doing Business
• Fourth for Leading Workforce Development Programs
• Fourth for Overall Infrastructure & Global Access
• Fifth for CooperativeState Government
• Fifth for Certified Sites/Shovel Ready Programs

 

Area Development is a national business publication covering site selection and facility planning.  The rankings published Friday resulted from a survey of leading site selection consultants nationwide.  Area Development asked a group of highly-respected consultants who work with a nationwide client base to name their top-five state choices in several site selection categories.

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the state’s number-three ranking in overall labor climate reflects highly on the quality of its workforce development program and employees who are eager to help companies succeed.

“These rankings have real meaning because they are driven by the very site consultants who have actually done business across the nation, the Southeast and in Alabama,” said Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield. “Our continued year-over-year improvement in the number of top-five rankings is further proof that Governor Bentley’s economic development priorities are taking root and producing real results across our state.”