California’s business environment has taken a hit in the first half of 2011,
based upon third party rankings that the California Business Minute follows
online and through its annual publication - California: Ranked, Rated and
Graded. The state, its regions, counties and cities have figuratively taken
it on the chin compared to 2010 business rankings for the same time frame.

For example, California while having the largest state Gross Domestic Product
in the nation at $1.9 trillion, only grew at 1.8 percent and was ranked 34th
out of the 50 states in 2010 (latest number available). California was again
named as the “Worst State in the Nation for Business” by Chief Executive Officers. 
California was ranked as having one the “Worst Tax Systems in the Nation.” 
No California City was ranked in the “Top Ten Best Cities for Small Business,”
they were for the most part ranked on the bottom of the list.  Meanwhile, six
California cities were ranked in the “Top Ten Cities in the Nation Where the
Economies Are Getting Worse.” Lastly, four California cities were ranked in
the “Top Ten Most Toxic Cities in America.”

However, the Golden State did receive some high scores for access to capital,
entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.  Additionally, San Jose and San
Francisco were named in the top ten for the “Easiest Cities to Find Jobs.

Meanwhile, California’s rankings for quality of life received two poor rankings,
otherwise it remained similar to 2010 rankings.  For example, the Golden State
continued to have one of the least obese populations in the nation.  San Jose
was identified as one of the top places in the nation for both men’s and women’s
health. Rowland Heights was rated as one of the top “Places to Raise your Kids.” 
Additionally, neither California nor its cities were ranked the “Most Angry in
the Nation.”  Also, California was not ranked as one of the “Most Depressed States.”
But, unfortunately this year, California owned the list of the “Most Miserable
Cities in the Nation” and Vallejo was ranked as one of the “Fastest Dying Cities
in the Nation”

Nevertheless, the Golden State remains one of the wealthiest states and several
counties along with cities are ranked among the “Top Ten Wealthiest in the Nation.”

There are some contradictions and similarities.  Two California cities were ranked
with high crime rates in one ranking but did not appear in another.  Additionally,
California and its cities apparently rank well in two surveys for “Walkable
Cities.”  

The annual publication, California: Ranked, Rated and Graded 2011 includes nearly
100 third party rankings. It is scheduled for publication in April 2012. In the
meantime, the following identifies some of the key highlights of the rankings
released during the first half of 2011.  Recommendation: Don’t take them too
seriously. 

Find the rakings at the Hompeage at www.CaliforniaBusinessMinute.com