50. Rhode Island

The Ocean State is rich in history and quality of life. But a multi-year effort to reform business regulations has yet to take hold. The state’s infrastructure is troubled as well.

Published 4:17 PM ET Tue, 24 June 2014 Updated 4:39 PM ET Mon, 7 July 2014 CNBC.com

Category	Score	2014 Rank	2013 Rank
Cost of Doing Business	117	43 (Tie)	34
Workforce	124	38	42
Quality of Life	186	19	20
Infrastructure & Transportation	55	50	47
Economy	161	44 (Tie)	49
Education	91	18	23
Technology & Innovation	109	34	42
Business Friendliness	56	45 (Tie)	46
Cost of Living	9	42	44
Access to Capital	14	23 (Tie)	21
Overall	922	50	49

Economic Profile

Governor: Lincoln Chafee, Democrat

Population: 1,051,511

GDP growth: 1.4 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2014): 8.3 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 9 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5.99 percent

Gasoline tax: 51 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2/negative

Major private employer: Lifespan

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rhode Island FY 2013 CAFR

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