We’re No. 21! We’re No. 21!
Get Instant Access to This Article
Subscribe to Hartford Business Journal and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Hartford and Connecticut business news updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Bi-weekly print or digital editions of our award-winning publication.
- Special bonus issues like the Hartford Book of Lists.
- Exclusive ticket prize draws for our in-person events.
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article.
We’re No. 21! We’re No. 21!
Ok, it’s not often that individuals or organizations will celebrate being average, but U.S. News & World Report’s recent study that ranked Connecticut the 21st best state in the country is actually a bit of good news given the dark fiscal and economic clouds hanging over the state’s head for more than a decade now.
Connecticut’s ranking also improved three spots from last year.
In many surveys, particularly ones related to economic competitiveness, Connecticut typically ranks near the bottom tier of states.
For example, Chief Executive Magazine recently ranked Connecticut the fifth worst state to do business in citing the state’s high taxes, regulatory environment and fiscal issues.
Sigh.
Many people roll their eyes when they see these various state rankings. There are many of them out there and data can be skewed to tell a story that may not match reality.
However, the U.S. News & World report is a quality study because it takes a holistic view of a state, incorporating more than 70 metrics related to health care, education, the economy, infrastructure, fiscal stability and crime and corrections.
Connecticut stood out in a few categories. It ranked highly in the areas of healthcare access and quality (No. 3), the environment (No. 6), criminal justice including overall public safety (No. 7) and education (No. 12). It also has more Fortune 1000 companies on a per-capita basis than any other state.
The study even prompted a statement from Gov. Ned Lamont who cheered the state’s strengths, but also pointed to its weaknesses including No. 46 rankings in infrastructure and fiscal stability. He used that as an opportunity to reinforce his support for highway tolls as a way to raise revenue for much-needed infrastructure repairs.
Mainly what the U.S. News & World report shows is that Connecticut is still a quality place to live and work, but has lots of room for improvement, particularly as it pertains to the economy and business climate. State lawmakers should pay attention to the study’s conclusions as they prepare to make important decisions at the end of this legislative session that will shape the direction of the state for years to come.
