U.S. Chamber Study Ranks Louisiana No. 1 For Exports, Along With Top 10 Rankings In Per Capita Income Growth, Tax Burden And Higher Education Efficiency

BATON ROUGE, La. — National leadership in exports, strong industrial growth, and policies that are attracting business investment and creating jobs helped Louisiana establish multiple Top 10 rankings in Enterprising States 2014, a new report by an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation takes an in-depth look at the policies, priorities and programs of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, and identifies how states build economic momentum. The 2014 report ranks Louisiana No. 1 in export intensity (the dollar value of exports as a percentage of gross state product) and No. 1 in export growth. Louisiana ranks No. 2 in both export intensity growth and growth in the state’s share of national exports. Additionally, Louisiana ranks No. 2 in the nation for per capita income growth, where the state has ranked in the upper tier of states for each of the past five years.

Louisiana ranks No. 5 for the lowest percentage of residents’ income claimed by state and local taxes, while the state’s higher education efficiency (total expenditures per degree awarded) ranks No. 6 and Louisiana’s college affordability ranks No. 10.

Gov. Bobby Jindal said, “The U.S. Chamber’s Enterprising States report validates the hard work we have been doing in Louisiana to raise economic performance; keep taxes in check; boost business, technology and trade opportunities; and improve our education system. Without question, we are improving the job prospects and career opportunities for our people now and into the future, and we will not rest until Louisiana is recognized far and wide as the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Enterprising States 2014 study singles out Louisiana’s leadership in industrial growth, citing the multibillion-dollar Sasol Ltd. and Nucor Steel projects and highlighting Louisiana’s innovative approach to technical and vocational education as the state experiences a surge in demand for industrial construction and manufacturing jobs.

The U.S. Chamber released its report this week as Thumbtack.com, in conjunction with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, announced Louisiana ranks No. 5 in 2014 for small business friendliness. The survey-based Thumbtack study produced an overall grade of A for Louisiana’s small business friendliness, including grades of A+ for ease of hiring and environmental regulations – both top scores in the nation. Read more about the Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey.

About the Report
Now in its fifth edition, the Enterprising States study measures state performance overall and across five policy areas important for job growth and economic prosperity — talent pipeline; exports and international trade; technology and entrepreneurship; business climate; and infrastructure. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, seeks to strengthen America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect the nation, the U.S. economy and the global business environment. For more about the report, visit uschamberfoundation.org.