Maine has the best tax climate in the country for new investment, according to Ernst & Young. New Hampshire also ranks in the top ten. The index considers all major business taxes, incorporating key features of the rates and tax bases, and weights the different taxes by their relative size. The index also focuses on investments which would be most likely to affect the location decisions of multistate and multinational businesses.

Read the full report.

The Connecticut’s Department of Labor (DOL) is holding its 17th Annual “Connecticut Learns and Works” Conference on Friday May 13 at the Waters Edge Resort and Conference Center in Westbrook, Conn. This conference usually draws more than 300 employers, educators, counselors, employment and training specialist. This year’s keynote speaker will be Bill Strickland, CEO and President of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation. Bill Strickland builds partnerships to help the disadvantaged build a better future. He’s also the author of Make the Impossible Possible which chronicles his story of how a kid from Pittsburgh’s ghetto would go on to lecture at Harvard and serve on the National Endowment of the Arts board. Strickland has been the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship “genius” award and is also founder of the Grammy-winning MCG Jazz, the most successful jazz subscription series in America. Both President George “H” and “W” Bush and most recently President Barack Obama have sought Bill Strickland’s counsel on domestic issues. For more information go to http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ctlw/

View the list oof New England’s top 30 patent holders. The list, from Mass High Tech News, is ranked by total number of patents issued between 1/1/10 and 9/30/10, ties ranked by total number of employees.

The 2010-11 Connecticut Economic Review reveals a variety of data that shows how Connecticut compares to the other 49 states, and in some categories, the world.

The Review covers business innovation, education and productivity, international trade, energy and infrastructure and quality of life. Connecticut stands out as a top five state for worker productivity, foreign direct investments, energy efficiency, advanced degrees, research and development, finance and insurance and high-speed connectivity.

This latest edition of the Review also shows:
* Connecticut’s cost of living compares favorably to other premier business locations
* More than 250 aerospace companies have a presence in the state and employ some 40,000 people
* Connecticut has excellent access to world markets
* Connecticut is home to 11 members of the Fortune 500

View the 2010-11 Connecticut Economic Review.

The 2010-11 Western Massachusetts Economic Review serves as a benchmark of the region’s economic climate and provides a variety of competitiveness and quality of life measures. Learn about the factors that make the region desirable for employers and workers, including: easy access to major markets; numerous colleges and universities in “New England’s Knowledge Corridor;” affordable, pre-permitted land and facilities; low operating costs for businesses; high-tech infrastructure; industry mix of life sciences, financial services, health care, information technology, medical devices, plastics, tourism and high-tech manufacturing; and exceptional quality of life.

View the economic review here.

View the 2010 review online and get a perspective of New Hampshire’s economy and how it has performed over the past year. The Granite State’s fertile business climate has once again put New Hampshire at or near the top in several key economic categories—including being one of the most livable states in the country. The state’s low cost of living, highly favorable tax climate, and an exceptionally talented and well-educated workforce continue to make New Hampshire a great place to be for business success. Read the 2010 review. Contact Pat McDermott for more information.

New England received high marks in energy efficiency according to The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEE) 2010 Energy Efficient Scorecard. Massachusetts is leading the way for New England, second only to California in the scorecard’s rankings. The other New England states rank in the top ten as energy efficient states. Improvements in utility efficiency programs, transportation efficiencies and state sponsored initiatives are qualities that helped bring New England states to the top of the list. One initiative that set Massachusetts apart from the rest and brings it up to second place, is a transportation initiative the state implemented specific to greenhouse gas reduction targets. New England is leading the nation in encouraging citizens to improve efficiency in homes, business, industry and transportation systems. However, the report emphasizes that if states like Connecticut continue to divert dedicated energy efficiency funds to budget deficits, they cannot continue to lead in energy efficiency. The states rank Mass. #2, Vermont #5, Rhode Island #7, Conn. #8, Maine #10 and New Hampshire #22. Read the full report.

Boston, ranked No. 1 and Hartford, ranked No. 2, are the smartest cities in the US. Boston comes in first place with a score of 176.68 out of a possible 200, moving up from No. 3 in 2009. 24% of people in Boston hold a Bachelors degree and 18% have a Masters. Hartford ranks as the second smartest city in the US with a score of 159.8, moving up 4 spots from # 6 in 2009. 19% of the population has a Bachelors degree, 15% has a Masters. Read the full article and see how other states are ranking.

Team New England had a great time meeting all of the attendees at CoreNet in September. We brought the best of New England out to Phoenix with a Maine lobster dinner for our VIP guests and enjoyed a Diamondbacks game with them at Chase Field. To see pictures of our events, our raffle prize winners and the game, check out our twitpics.

We’re already gearing up for CoreNet in the Spring of 2011. Plans for our VIP event are underway. If you’d like to join us at one of our events in Chicago, contact Dave Driver.