Business Opportunities Weblog

August 30, 2007 by Rich Whittle | 0 Comments

MSNBC:

If you’re seeking the ideal place to grow a small business, Florida is the state for you. Four of America’s five best markets for small businesses are in Florida, led by No. 1 Orlando, according to a new Bizjournals study.

Florida’s top-rated markets are scattered throughout the state. Orlando is the economic hub of central Florida, No. 2 Sarasota-Bradenton overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, No. 3 Miami-Fort Lauderdale is a gateway to the Caribbean, and No. 5 Jacksonville hugs the Atlantic coast 350 miles north of Miami.

The study’s objective was to identify those metros that are most conducive to the creation and development of small businesses.

Four metros, including two in Florida, have more than 3,000 small businesses per 100,000 residents. Miami-Fort Lauderdale’s ratio of 3,161 is the nation’s highest concentration, followed by Bridgeport-Stamford, Conn. (3,094), Sarasota-Bradenton (3,067) and Denver (3,043).

The highest-rated market outside of Florida in the overall standings is Las Vegas, which ranks fourth on Bizjournals’ list. Las Vegas is the national leader in population growth, adding 335,000 people between 2000 and 2005, an increase of 24.3 percent.

Sixth through 10th on the list of America’s best markets for small businesses are Raleigh, Washington, Salt Lake City, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Photo by debuysserk.

In Government, Small Biz, Success | 0 Comments