Activity 2

CNBC's Top States For Business 2010—And The Winner Is Texas

CNBC.com | July 13, 2010 | 04:30 PM EDT

They say everything in Texas is big, and that sure goes for its stature in business.

With the biggest point total in the history of our study, Texas posts a big victory as America’s Top State for Business 2010.

Top Five

Texas reclaims the top spot from last year’s winner, Virginia, which slips to No. 2. Texas was last on top in 2008, and Virginia took the crown in the inaugural year of our study, 2007. That leaves Texas and Virginia dead even in the battle for bragging rights at two wins apiece.Rounding out the top five are No. 3 Colorado, No. 4 North Carolina, and No. 5 Massachusetts, which makes its first appearance among America’s Top States for Business.

Scoring & Categories

Our fourth annual study of America's Top States for Business puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on 40 different metrics in ten key categories of competitiveness. We developed these categories back in 2007 with the help of business groups including the National Association of Manufacturers. And we weight the categories based on how frequently states use them as selling points to attract business. That way, we hold the states to their own standards, and tell you how they measure up.

The categories and weightings, for a total of 2,500 points, are:

• Cost of Doing Business (450 points)

• Workforce (350 points)

• Quality of Life (350 points)

• Economy (314 points)

• Transportation & Infrastructure (300 points)

• Technology & Innovation (250 points)

• Education (175 points)

• Business Friendliness (175 points)

• Access to Capital (50 points)

• Cost of Living (25 points)

We use publicly available data on the metrics in each category to score the states, and then add up those scores to rank America’s Top States for Business.

Now go to the link and read more http://m.cnbc.com/special_reports/0/content/37642856?refresh=true