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10. Massachusetts

Smart, educated workers help the Bay State tie for most improved in 2017, but high costs risk a business rebellion.

George Kavallines | CNBC
Category
Score
2017 Rank
2016 Rank
Workforce 348 6 2
Infrastructure 150 41 (Tie) 42
Cost of Doing Business 93 45 (Tie) 46
Economy 194 14 18
Quality of Life 208 10 (Tie) 17
Technology & Innovation 182 1 3
Education 168 1 1
Business Friendliness 90 20 (Tie) 20
Access to Capital 85 7 19
Cost of Living 4 47 44
Overall 1522 10 20

Economic Profile

Governor: Charlie Baker, Republican

Population: 6,811,779

GDP growth (Q4 2016): 2.0 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2017): 4.2 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 8 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5.10 percent

Gasoline tax: 26.54 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook (Moody's, S&P): Aa1, AA stable

Major private employers: Bay State Medical Center, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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