Research Papers

Kentucky is renowned for having a world-class agricultural environment, a strong automotive manufacturing sector and a particular talent for producing bourbon whiskey. With a long history of coal mining, in recent years the state has pivoted away from its traditional industries of coal, tobacco farming and automobile production toward establishing a new economic engine based on medical services, military operations, and modern product manufacturing, including cosmetics. Few people are aware that Kentucky is ranked as the most affordable state in the U.S. to live in and has low personal income tax rates. In this research brief we will review some of the state-level grants and business resources that are available to entrepreneurs and business owners in Kentucky. 

Arizona exemplifies the rugged terrain and frontier atmosphere that are associated with the American Southwest. Home to the Grand Canyon and the Navajo Nation, and historically a part of Mexico before the Mexican-American war, Arizona’s culture is defined by a strong sense of history and respect for the natural environment. Economically, Arizona is home to a thriving public sector but also employs many thousands of people in the financial, tourism, construction and natural resource extraction industries. In this Research Brief we will detail some of the state support services that are available for entrepreneurs and small businesses, including grant information, tax incentives and resources for business expansion.

North Carolina has a unique and vibrant economy among Atlantic coast states. During the first half of the 20^th century, tobacco farming, furniture and textile manufacturing dominated the state economy; now the state is home to leading companies in the financial, IT and biotechnology sectors. There is a strong military footprint in the state, including several Air Force, Army and Marine Corps bases, ensuring that vendors who provide products and services related to military services can find many opportunities for contract work here. North Carolina also administers a variety of business support programs designed to provide financing, tax relief and resource access to companies in the state, some of which we will review below.

New Hampshire occupies a unique place in the American imagination, thanks to the state’s New England character and forthright commitment to freedom as an ideal, a philosophy expressed clearly by the state motto “Live free or die”. New Hampshire is also unique in other ways: the state levies no sales or state-level personal income tax, and boasts several of the biggest and most-popular mountains for skiing on the Atlantic coast of the United States. New Hampshire is also home to hundreds of innovative businesses, many of which are growing rapidly. Below, we will review some of the state grant programs, economic development initiatives, and business support resources that are available for businesses based in New Hampshire.

New Mexico is a state where ancient history, exotic geography, and a variety of cultures are brought together in a way unlike anywhere else in the nation.  With a small population relative to its size, and home to the largest number of Hispanic people and second-largest number of Native Americans in the United States, New Mexico provides a unique growth environment for businesses of all kinds. In this research brief we will review some of the business grants, resources and support programs that are available to entrepreneurs and business owners in New Mexico, as well as other incentives that exist for specific types of businesses in the state. 

The State of Michigan has been an incubator for industry and economic growth in the United States for more than a century. Home to America’s largest automobile manufacturers and other major organizations in the aerospace, mining and food processing industries, Michigan’s diverse economy continues to be strengthened by innovative new businesses that are created every year, particularly in the Metro Detroit region. While many of Michigan’s municipalities are facing infrastructural and financial challenges, there remains a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs to provide products and services across the state.

Nevada is one of the most interesting environments for small businesses in the United States. With unique laws regulating gambling and other industries, the state provides an excellent platform for entrepreneurs who are interested in growing their own companies. Nearly 75% of Nevada’s population is concentrated in Clark County, home to Las Vegas; much of the state’s land is managed by the federal government, meaning there are many opportunities available for private companies to pursue government contracts in Nevada.

According to a 2016 study from Bloomberg, Oregon has the healthiest economy out of all 50 states in the U.S. By measuring data including employment rates, house prices, state and local tax revenues and the performance of companies in the state, Oregon comes out on top, making it one of the most desirable places for companies to do business. Oregon offers many incentives and support programs for start-ups and established businesses in the state, including grant financing, tax rebates, and employment support. In this research brief we will look at some of these programs and detail how business owners can go about obtaining support for their enterprises. 

Illinois is home to the fifth-largest state economy in the U.S. In 2014, the total GSP for Illinois reached $745 billion, with much of this figure representing the outputs of the state’s most active industries including the publishing sector, equipment manufacturing, petroleum and coal processing, food products processing and several other areas of production. With the amount of business activity occurring in Illinois, it’s no surprise that the state has a well-developed network of small business support services and programs that are designed to help entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground, and to help businesses established elsewhere relocate to Illinois.

Massachusetts, unofficially nicknamed the Bay State, has the largest population out of the six states that make up New England. The history of Massachusetts is rich, from when the first settlers arrived to found the Plymouth colony in the 17^th century to the present day, where the state (particularly the Boston area) is home to world-renowned universities, colleges, companies and cultural institutions.