NCET

More than 500 CEOs considered a wide range of criteria, from taxation and regulation to workforce quality and living environment, in our annual ranking of the best states for business. The charts and articles in this special report show how each state fares on the factors most essential for a business-friendly environment—as well as what states are doing to attract and retain companies in the increasingly competitive battle to win site selection.

While the Lone Star State may not be perfect—many leaders would like to see improvements in its education system—it is Periclean Athens compared to California in the eyes of the 550 CEOs surveyed for Chief Executive‘s seventh annual report on the best and worst states in which to do business. It’s the seventh time in seven years running that Texas has led the states, and the seventh year California—to no one’s great surprise—ranked as worst state. Read more:

Due to its increasing population, the State of Nevada spends approximately $6 billion every year on imported energy. Therefore, numerous lawmakers in the state have turned to an alternative, smarter solution for powering the energy – through the use of renewable energy that is locally produced. Nevada is blessed with over 250 days of pure sunshine annually and is one of the top nations in the state for solar energy production. Nevada is also rich in geothermal and wind resources as well. The state has created its own renewable portfolio standard – their 2005 standard states that a minimum of 20 percent of total power will be created using renewable sources of energy by the year 2015. Read more:

It seems as though everywhere you turn these days, people are talking about green energy  and going green.  Given the alarming figures being cited on an increasingly regular basis regarding the rapid depletion of the world’s identifiable fossil based fuel sources, coupled with mounting evidence that alternative methods of energy generation are indeed better for our global environment, the popularity of this trend is certainly understandable.  But what does it mean for you as a business owner here in Nevada?  Are there identifiable opportunities for Nevada businesses generally to work with this seemingly new breed of local business? Read full story:

The value of loan collateral has disappeared like a desert mirage in recent years, but Nevada officials are expecting a $13.8 million federal grant to help small businesses borrow money. Gov. Brian Sandoval and bankers will meet Monday in Carson City with Cliff Kellogg, director of the State Small Business Credit Initiative, about implementing the program in Nevada. The grant would help small businesses supplement their collateral to get a new loan. Read full story:

At a time when many people are looking at the condition of our national economy and concluding that now is not the time to start a business, Nevada entrepreneurs continue to show their true grit.

According to a Kauffman Foundation report released last month, Nevada leads the nation with the highest rate of business startups in 2010. This resilient entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in the number of Nevada college and university students competing in the seventh annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Business Plan Competition.

Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology recently received 73 business  plans for the annual Governor’s Cup competition. We were thrilled with this response, which was a significant increase over the 56 received last year. This "real world" program brings together college students from

a wide range of academic fields to develop innovative new business concepts and compete for nearly $100,000 in cash prizes. The program encourages students to develop creative and forward-thinking new business models, while gaining invaluable experience in understanding the fundamental  elements of successfully starting and running a business in Nevada.

We are all well aware that Nevada’s long-term economic health and stability will depend heavily on the creation of new and sustainable jobs, the diversification of our state economy and the nurturing and development of our home-grown small businesses.

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