America's Top States For Business 2013

#36 Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky
Josh Rinehults | E+ | Getty Images
Louisville, Kentucky
Category
Score
2013 Rank
2012 Rank
Cost of Doing Business 277 17 1
Workforce 135 31 29
Quality of Life 119 38 45
Infrastructure & Transportation 211 14 22
Economy 184 42 38
Education 55 43 35
Technology & Innovation 117 31 31
Business Friendliness 62 37 41
Cost of Living 48 3 4
Access to Capital 6 39 45
Overall 1214 36 36 (tie)

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Steve L. Beshear (D)

Population: 4,380,415

GDP growth: 1.4 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2013): 8.1 percent

Top corporate rate: 6 percent

Top individual tax rate: 6 percent

Gasoline tax: 29.9 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa2/Negative

Major private employers: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Humana Inc., Norton Psychiatric Center, University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc., UPS Worldport, Ford Motor Co. Truck Plant, General Electric Appliances, All Appliance Repair Service, Kosair Children's Hospital

Economic profile sources: American Petroleum Institute (April 2013), Bureau of Economic Analysis (2012), Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2013 release), CareerOneStop, Moody's Investors Service (senior-most tax-backed ratings), National Governors Association, Tax Foundation (2013), U.S. Census Bureau (2012 estimate)

From the Governors

America's Top States For Business 2013 Video