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Here Comes CNBC's Top States For Business 2009

By: CNBC.com | 20 Jul 2009 | 11:32 AM ET

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From unemployment to taxes, economic conditions will play a role in the rankings of CNBC’s third annual America’s Top States For Business study due out Thursday, July 23.

And given the dramatic change in the nation’s economy in the past year, you can expect more than the usual number of surprises in this year’s edition.

Complete Economic Coverage

You’ll also find changes in our methodology, from the total possible score to the weightings of the ten categories containing the dozens of criteria on which the states are judged.

These changes reflect how states themselves pitch their attributes as a home for business. Given the state of the economy, many are emphasizing quality of life, while playing down cost of living. (See chart).

Category	Points (New)	(Old)
Cost of Doing Business	450	450
Workforce	350	350
Quality of Life	350	250
Economy	314	314
Transportation & Infrastructure	300	150
Technology & Innovation	250	150
Education	175	250
Business Friendliness	175	50
Access to Capital	50	50
Cost of Living	25	50

One thing hasn’t changed, though. We’ll be counting down the top five states throughout the day on CNBC TV, starting with “Squawk On The Street” and culminating on “Street Signs” when we’ll reveal the winner. Of course, we’ll help you along with way with clues and hints.