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50. Rhode Island

This year’s Bottom State for Business, the Ocean State is overflowing with issues, including poor infrastructure and a weak economy.

Top States Rhode Island
Source: George Kavallines
Category
Score
2016 Rank
2015 Rank
Workforce 215 23 (Tie) 24
Cost of Doing Business 95 45 44 (Tie)
Infrastructure 97 50 50
Economy 114 45 39
Quality of Life 186 24 12
Technology & Innovation 98 35 33 (Tie)
Education 111 20 13
Business Friendliness 47 39 45 (Tie)
Cost of Living 12 43 42
Access to Capital 6 45 43 (Tie)
Overall 981 50 48

Economic Profile

Governor: Gina Raimondo, Democrat

Population: 1,056,298

GDP growth: 1.1 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2016): 5.4 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 7.0 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5.99 percent

Gasoline tax: 52.40 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2, stable

Major private employers: Lifespan, CVS Health

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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