The 7 Best States to Start a Business

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Virginia? Sure, they offer many classes here on Small Business but that's about it. Martinsville and Henry County - need I say more. Everyone here has lost a job due to business closings. As a matter of fact - we have the highest unemployment rates in the state.

Giddy up of VA 7:56AM September 15, 2010

Would be nice to believe you. Did an ice cream major write this article?
Fl. has extremely high rents, commercial prices on real estate are set by
newyorkers - wages are low - it's so pretty here style pay - and businesses
can close in one week, one month, miracle if they last the year. One owner
business that is - chains have staying power.

IntheSpirit of FL 7:46AM September 15, 2010

I have been a business owner in Florida for 5 years and it was the worst experience EVER! If your a "good ole boy" which I'm not since I relocated to Florida for family reasons and not motivated by wealth there are many hidden taxes that reduce the effect of no state income tax. I have been in business throughout this country during the tough times of the early 80's and also most recently during this economic meltdown. Florida is like a "no-mad" state, but the true life long residents are either back-woods bar-b-q self ordained gourmets and a feeding ground for child molesters. A small % of anyone shallow enough to want to call this home probably does belong here. Moving and working in FL - BIG MISTAKE!!!

Jay of FL 7:43AM September 15, 2010

WA State has just raised it's Business and Occupation tax to 1.9%. L&I is a rapacious joke, workers scam and L&I does nothing "what me worry attitude?" It's a great state for govt workers and freeloaders. I agree with the previous commentator. This article is poorly researched.

Gasser of WA 7:27AM September 15, 2010

you say washington has low taxes, Washington is not small business friendly and has high taxes on business, washington has to be thw woprst state for a small business to open i cant believe that you would say that they have low taxes so i guess a 9 plus precent sales tax is low.. washington has always been known for having some of the highest taxes..I live in washington and have a business and it is very hard to make it by when i pay out more in taxes then payroll which in turn makes it to where i cant expland why you ask because i cant afford to hire any one else because of what i have to pay there is alot more to owning a business then just taxes it is everything the state charges maybe if they would lower the fees and taxes then more people would open business and more bussiness would hire new people rather then over working the employees it already has, it is cheaper to pay over time then it is to hire another person.. You are misleading people with your wrong information

nicole of WA 11:16AM September 09, 2010

FLORIDA IS NOT THE PLACE FOR BUSINES ,FLORIDA SUCKS and cops harrasss people hereas well so florida is not the place to be!!!!!

marie santini of FL 11:03AM June 29, 2010

Did I read the comment above correctly? First Mrs. Czerniak writes "Despite the higher taxes up here, we're already doing much, much better" and almost in the same sentence states "You can't have high taxes and plenty of jobs at the same time". Really? Well...I'm confused. Which one is it?

clw of MI 1:20AM June 06, 2010

im from milwaukee, wi ...milwaukee has nothin everyone wants to get out...police won't let ppl have anything...florida is the place to be rite now real talk!!!!!!

yeaitsme of FL 1:10AM June 06, 2010

florida does sucks. I really need to move state.

kay smith of FL 11:32AM May 19, 2010

My husband and I just moved up to Canada, where my husband is from. Despite the higher taxes up here, we're already doing much, much better than we did down in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wisconsin, like many "blue" states, taxes businesses to death. Liberals, however, don't want you to think about that. The Wisconsin State Journal just ran a story today claiming Wisconsin will add 20,000 new jobs this year, as if no one in Wisconsin ever noticed how many jobs the state has lost since the recession began.
I used to take pride in the fact that I lived in Milwaukee. Today, it's a distant memory. I encourage the "red" states to do everything they can to attract business and jobs from the "blue" states. It's time liberals learned how the economy really works. You can't have high taxes and plenty of jobs at the same time. More Koolaid anyone?

Heather Czerniak 7:16PM May 15, 2010