PIERRE, S.D. (8/22/12) – For the ninth year in a row, South Dakota has earned a spot on the Pollina Corporate Real Estate list of Top 10 Pro-Business States.

South Dakota is listed as the seventh best state in the nation for business in 2012. South Dakota was also ranked No. 7 last year.

The Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study evaluates and ranks states based on more than 30 factors, including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure spending, workers’ compensation laws, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts.

“Economic development continues to be one of my top priorities, and this outside study confirms that South Dakota is a great place to start, grow, and run a business,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said.

A similar study by CNBC in July also ranked South Dakota the seventh best state for doing business, based on the cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, infrastructure and other transportation, economy, education, technology and innovation, business friendliness, access to capital, and cost of living. The CNBC study also named South Dakota the most business-friendly state.

The first Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States Study was released in 2004. South Dakota has been ranked as a Top 10 state each year since.