CNBC’s annual study once again puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on 135 different metrics, the most-ever, in 10 key categories of competitiveness.
Top States for Business

41. Alabama

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Category Score 2015 Rank 2014 Rank
Workforce20332 (Tie)20
Cost of Doing Business218194
Infrastructure1743121
Economy12144 (Tie)40
Quality of Life934246
Technology & Innovation11230 (Tie)31
Education634647
Business Friendliness6128 (Tie)38
Cost of Living658 (Tie)7
Access to Capital312045
Overall11414134

Economic Profile

Governor: Robert Bentley, Republican

Population: 4,849,377

GDP growth: 0.7 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2015): 6.1 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6.5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 5 percent

Gasoline tax: 39 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart, Regions Bank

Economic profile sources: Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Alabama FY 2014 CAFR

FULL LIST: 2015 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS

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