CNBC's ninth annual study once again puts all 50 states to the test, measuring them on more than 60 different metrics in ten key categories of competitiveness.
Top States For Business

49. West Virginia

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Category Score 2015 Rank 2014 Rank
Workforce16344 (Tie)44
Cost of Doing Business245718
Infrastructure1214240
Economy14636 (Tie)39
Quality of Life1084039
Technology & Innovation565048
Education913428
Business Friendliness1548 (Tie)50
Cost of Living41245
Access to Capital84549
Overall9944948

Economic Profile

Governor: Earl Ray Tomblin, Democrat

Population: 1,850,326

GDP growth: 5.1 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2015): 7.2 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6.5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 6.5 percent

Gasoline tax: 53 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1/stable

Major private employer: Wal-Mart, West Virginia United Health System

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

FULL LIST: 2015 TOP STATES FOR BUSINESS

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