Business-climate survey forecasts changes

Nearly half of corporate executive respondents to a survey said their business will consider relocation in the next 24 months, so moving trucks may be a common sight in states they say have the best business climate - Texas and the Carolinas. The Development Counsellors International surveys corporate executives for the "Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing" every three years.

"With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey," said DCI President Andrew T. Levine. "Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location's business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs."

Illinois, California and New York were the worst-performing states on the list due to taxes, high costs and "anti-business climate/regulation," responders said.

Respondents gave Texas and the Carolinas strong marks in those areas. Texas has a number of large businesses, with its largest non-oil business being AT&T, headquartered in Dallas. The conglomerate has 1.2 million employees, retirees and their dependents.

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