PIERRE, SD – South Dakota is again receiving national recognition for its economic health and positive regulatory environment.

A recent study released by the Praxis Strategy Group, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ranks South Dakota the fourth best state in the nation for its efforts to create favorable conditions for business growth and job creation.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is pleased that the state’s positive business climate is again being recognized nationally.

“These are trying economic times, but we are dedicated to maintaining South Dakota’s outstanding business environment,” the Governor said. “This study reaffirms that South Dakota’s concentrated focus on economic development is one of the best ways to recover from a lagging national economy.”

The study states: “A leader in tax policy and overall job-growth rankings, South Dakota continues to show steady economic performance.  South Dakotans have reasons to be optimistic moving forward.”

Among reasons for South Dakota’s top rankings, the study lists the recent establishment of South Dakota’s targeted tax refund program that provides an incentive for business-building projects; the state’s favorable business-tax climate; South Dakota’s investment in specialized economic development infrastructure, such as SDSU’s Innovation Campus; a stable manufacturing sector; and the Dakota Seeds workforce development program.

Additional South Dakota rankings cited in the study include:

• 1st in the nation for its business tax climate
• 1st in the nation for small business survival
• 2nd in the nation for its productivity growth
• 3rd in the nation for its Gross State Product Growth
• 5th in the nation for its short-term job growth
• 8th in the nation for its long-term job growth

Praxis Strategy Group is an economic research and community strategy company that works with leaders and innovators in business, education, and government to create new economic opportunities.

South Dakota also was recently ranked first in the nation for economic freedom by George Mason University, and third in the nation by the Camelot Index. The Camelot Index measures economic vitality, health, education, crime, society and government.
Excerpts from http://www.sdreadytowork.com/South_Dakota_Ranks_No4.aspx