5. Georgia

The Peach State falls a bit from last year’s top perch. Workforce, infrastructure, economy are strong. Quality of life needs work.

Category
Score
2015 Rank
2014 Rank
Workforce 272 3 1
Cost of Doing Business 159 32 20
Infrastructure 252 2 1
Economy 243 4 3
Quality of Life 124 36 (Tie) 32
Technology & Innovation 157 16 16
Education 98 29 32
Business Friendliness 103 11 (Tie) 14
Cost of Living 53 16 22
Access to Capital 46 5 11
Overall 1507 5 1

Economic Profile

Governor: Nathan Deal, Republican

Population: 10,097,343

GDP growth: 2.3 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2015): 6.3 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 6 percent

Gasoline tax: 54 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aaa/stable

Major private employer: Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administers, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metro Atlanta Chamber

FULL LIST: 2015 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS

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