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35. Kentucky (Tie)

The skilled workforce is sparse in the Bluegrass State, trampling the benefits of low business costs.

George Kavallines | CNBC
Category
Score
2017 Rank
2016 Rank
Workforce 191 47 46
Infrastructure 221 6 14 (Tie)
Cost of Doing Business 267 3 5
Economy 150 29 (Tie) 40
Quality of Life 119 41 42
Technology & Innovation 79 38 37
Education 90 30 (Tie) 29 (Tie)
Business Friendliness 33 44 41
Access to Capital 44 27 38
Cost of Living 41 10 2
Overall 1235 35 35

Economic Profile

Governor: Matt Bevin, Republican

Population: 4,863,300

GDP growth (Q4 2016): 1.5 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2017): 5 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 6 percent

Gasoline tax: 26 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook (Moody's, S&P): Aa2, A+ negative

Major private employers: Humana, Yum! Brands

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 (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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