If you live in South Dakota, according to the November 2007 Small Business Survival Index, your state has the "friendliest policy environment for entrepreneurship".
It's not looking so good in the District of Columbia, which 
came in in 51st place. Do you agree with the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council findings?
Top 10 Friendliest States For Small Business
- South Dakota
- Nevada
- Wyoming
- Washington
- Florida
- Michigan
- Texas
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Alabama
The “Small Business Survival Index” tries to make clear the relative governmental burdens placed on entrepreneurship among the states, so that business owners and their employees, elected officials and citizens in general can better grasp the competitive position of their respective states.
When grouped together, it's quite sobering to see how many taxes and government burdens there actually are on small business. Keating found that consumers will still spend no matter what, although levels of spending will obviously fluctuate.
He found factors of greater impact on business are government imposed taxes on businesses and the community.
Keating indicates,
What often stands as the largest impediment to entrepreneurship and investment is public policy gone awry.
While most politicians rhetorically embrace entrepreneurship and small business, the public policies they support too frequently raise costs and diminish incentives for starting up, investing in and building a business.
This Small Business Survival Index is a report well worth reading, sharing and discussing. Check out the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council website while you're at it.
Thanks to Anita Campbell at Small Biz Trends for alerting us to this report.
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