Increased investment in infrastructure and continued investment in human resources are needed to better leverage the state's strong capital availability and solid research and development capacity.

287

North Carolina is still reeling from mass layoffs despite better-than-average job growth.

208

Colorado is still dealing with the legacy of past years as unemployment remains stubbornly high. Additionally, while having one of the highest percentages of households headed by college graduates, Colorado ranks near the bottom in high school completion rates.

188

Fewer businesses in Ohio are closing and the new businesses that are being created generate more jobs than in other states, but Ohio is among the worst for fostering new companies, and that reality shows in the employment numbers.

156

Too often, economic development is thought of simply as recruiting big business away from other states. This report is a reminder that states must also focus investments on workers, education and business.

136