In terms of their policy environments, California came in 49th as an entrepreneur-friendly state according to the "Small Business Survival Index 2008: Ranking the Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship Across the Nation."

Listed in the top 10 are:

1) South Dakota

2) Nevada

3) Wyoming

4) Florida

5) Washington

6) Texas

7) South Carolina

8) Alabama

9) Virginia

10) Colorado.

 

The more difficult state policy environments for entrepreneurs include:

40) West Virginia

41) Hawaii

42) Iowa

43) Vermont

44) Massachusetts

45) New York

46) Minnesota

47) Rhode Island

48) Maine

49) California

50) New Jersey

51) District of Columbia.

The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) compiled the index. States are ranked according to their public policy climates for small business and entrepreneurship.

The 2008 Index has been expanded to cover 34 major government-imposed or government-related costs affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs. The measures are added together for an overall rating. For a complete visit www.sbecouncil.org.

 

Claire Yezbak Fadden is the Associate Editor of LifeAfter50.com.