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Forbes
#1 Virginia
2007 Rank: 1
2006 Rank: 1
Virginia's top attributes include an incentive environment that is the fourth-best in the country, as well as an unemployment rate that's the third lowest in the nation.
Read the article: The Best States For Business
See More About Virginia
Next: Utah -
Forbes
#2 Utah
2007 Rank: 2
2006 Rank: 4
Utah benefited from low business costs (9% below the national average) and a strong current economic environment. The state's five-year job growth rate jumped to 1.8%, from 1.3% last year, while incomes growth improved to 3.2%, from 2.2%.
See More About Utah
Next: North Carolina -
Forbes
#3 North Carolina
2007 Rank: 3
2006 Rank: 3
Our second runner-up was North Carolina, whose capital, Raleigh, is our best metro area for business and careers. North Carolina has the second-lowest labor costs in the country (18% below the national average), and incomes are projected to increase 3.8% annually over the next five years, the second-fastest rate in the country.
See More About North Carolina
Next: Texas -
Forbes
#4 Texas
2007 Rank: 4
2006 Rank: 2
Texas has maintained its status as one of the top 5 states for business for the second year in a row. This is mainly due to its undeniably high growth prospects as well as its regulatory environment.
See More About Texas
Next: Washington -
Forbes
#5 Washington
2007 Rank: 5
2006 Rank: 12
With a highly educated work force and a pro-business regulatory environment, Washington is poised to remain one of the best states to do business in -- and to climb even higher on next year's list.
See More About Washington
Next: Idaho
Next: The Business of Billionaires -
The Biz Ideas You Should Have Thought Of!
Ever have a great idea that you were afraid to follow through with? Want to know where you would be if you did -- and succeeded?
The Business of Billionaires
Click through the gallery to see the top ideas YOU wished you had thought of!
Next: Most Expensive Homes -
World's Most Expensive Homes
While the housing market may go boom and bust, these palatial estates remain the cream of the crop in style and in price. Check out the world's most expensive homes.
Most Expensive Homes
Next: Billionaire Bachelors -
Schneider Press/Sipa Press; Getty Images
Billionaire Bachelors
These eligible bachelors have it all except for someone to share it with.
See Billionaire Bachelors
Next: World's Richest People -
Andy Manis, AP / Eric Francis, Bloomberg News/Land
World's Richest People
Forbes' 21st annual list of the wealthiest people on the planet spans industries and continents, and they inspire would-be newcomers to the billionaires' club. Who makes the list this year?
See the World's Billionaires
Next: Low Cost Franchises -
Low Cost Franchises
Great Franchises, Small Investment
No one said starting a business was cheap, but if you think you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, one of these 10 franchise bargains could help your startup dreams come true -- without the startup-funding nightmares. This list was compiled by Entrepreneur.com and each franchise had to offer a way in for less than $50,000.
Top 10 Low Cost Franchises -
Bloggingstocks:
We love to dream of having the big bucks, but we'd miss out on a lot of life's simple pleasures.
Who Wants to Be a Billionaire?
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