Spokane ranked 35 our of 274 Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) in Inc., Magazine’s recently released Best Places for Doing Business in America 2005. Spokane jumped 31 spots from last year’s 66th place ranking, placing the city among the top 15 percent of MSA’s nationwide.
Reno ranked in the top spot this year with Boise ranking in 2nd place. Spokane ranked well ahead of Washington State’s other largest cities, with Tacoma coming in at 54, followed by Seattle at 72. No other Washington or Idaho city made the list.
Inc. deems job growth the best measure of a region’s economic vitality. Inc. used Bureau of Labor Statistics as a source for average annual job growth over the last three years. Job growth index accounts for two-thirds of each city’s final score, while the remaining third is based on balance among industries.
“Spokane’s lower cost of doing business and low-cost living, combined with exceptional lifestyle and recreational opportunities, place our region in a prime position for business expansion, growth and future opportunities,” said Jon Eliassen, President & CEO of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council.
Inc. Magazine considers smaller cities like Spokane “ideal places for doing business with their lower housing and labor costs. The low costs in these cities make it possible for businesses to thrive in a tough global economy, especially in an economy where companies operate under relentless pressure to keep costs low and quality high.” The entire list is available on http://www.inc.com.
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