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	<title>GreatScottUtah.com</title>
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	<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com</link>
	<description>Great Scott I Sold Another One</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:03:07 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Recent Statistics for Salt Lake City Real Estate</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/04/recent-statistics-for-salt-lake-city-real-estate/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/04/recent-statistics-for-salt-lake-city-real-estate/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:03:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Foreclosure and Auction Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Robbins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cottonwood Heights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foreclosure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Listing Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scott robbins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sales of previously owned homes in Salt Lake County in Februrary decreased 2% compared to February 2010.  The median price in Salt Lake County was down 13% compared to February of 2010. BUT year to date in Salt Lake County, we are still up 2% compared to 2010.  For more statistics, contact me at scott.robbins@utahhomes.com.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sales of previously owned homes in Salt Lake County in Februrary decreased 2% compared to February 2010.  The median price in Salt Lake County was down 13% compared to February of 2010. BUT year to date in Salt Lake County, we are still up 2% compared to 2010.  For more statistics, contact me at <a href="mailto:scott.robbins@utahhomes.com">scott.robbins@utahhomes.com</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Check out this gorgeous Canyon Rim Remodel!</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/check-out-this-gorgeous-canyon-rim-remodel/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/check-out-this-gorgeous-canyon-rim-remodel/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:25:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scott's Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canyon Rim]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Listing Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Remodel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=693</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Price: $259,900 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial Garage: 2 Square Feet: 1,800 Not your typical Canyon Rim Bungalow. Custom 2-tone paint throughout with all new carpet. Great kitchen with newer cabinets, appliances and granite counters. Newer vinyl windows. Plantation shutters. This home offers great lighting and open space. The incredibly spacious basement has [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-694" href="http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/check-out-this-gorgeous-canyon-rim-remodel/d15a55894d823b0688c11/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-694" title="d15a55894d823b0688c11" src="http://www.greatscottutah.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/d15a55894d823b0688c11-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p id="ctl00_MainContent_ctl02_BasicInfo1_rptDescriptors_ctl00_InfoName-basic-name">Price: $259,900</p>
<p>Bedrooms: 3</p>
<p>Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial</p>
<p>Garage: 2</p>
<p>Square Feet: 1,800</p>
<div>Not your typical Canyon Rim Bungalow. Custom 2-tone paint throughout with all new carpet. Great kitchen with newer cabinets, appliances and granite counters. Newer vinyl windows. Plantation shutters. This home offers great lighting and open space. The incredibly spacious basement has ample space and higher ceilings with an office area and a huge bedroom with private bath. Home offers great light but is surrounded by large tall pines for privacy and shade. The 2-car garage and large outdoor storage shed offer so much room for storage. What a beautiful view of Mt. Olympus. Come see this great home today. Call Scott for details 801.209.1120</div>
<div><a href="http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1016143">http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1016143</a>  Click here to see the tour!</div>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>You will want to see this place on Commotion!</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/you-will-want-to-see-this-place-on-commotion/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/you-will-want-to-see-this-place-on-commotion/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 19:20:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scott's Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[second home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Utah]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=689</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Price: $312,500  Bedrooms: 5  Bathrooms: 1 Full, 2 Partial  Garage: 2  Square Feet: 3,769 This is a fantastic home in one of Willow Creeks best neighborhoods. It is within walking distance to schools, shopping, grocery and public parks. Upstairs has 4 large bedrooms with plenty of closet space. Main floor has a large great room [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-690" href="http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/you-will-want-to-see-this-place-on-commotion/74knda/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-690" title="74KNDA" src="http://www.greatscottutah.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/74KNDA-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p id="ctl00_MainContent_ctl02_BasicInfo1_rptDescriptors_ctl00_InfoName-basic-name">Price: $312,500</p>
<p> Bedrooms: 5</p>
<p> Bathrooms: 1 Full, 2 Partial</p>
<p> Garage: 2</p>
<p> Square Feet: 3,769</p>
<div>This is a fantastic home in one of Willow Creeks best neighborhoods. It is within walking distance to schools, shopping, grocery and public parks. Upstairs has 4 large bedrooms with plenty of closet space. Main floor has a large great room off the kitchen. The formal living room has a beautiful fireplace and formal dining room. Main floor office can be used as a bedroom if needed. Each room has tons of natural light. The private back yard has a nice covered patio. This home has also been meticulously cleaned and maintained. This great home offers a newer furnace, windows, and air conditioning unit. Call Scott Robbins for details on this great home 801.209.1120</div>
<div><a href="http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1018867">http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1018867</a>   Click here to take the tour!</div>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Salt Lake City Market Update, first week of March</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/salt-lake-city-market-update-first-week-of-march/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/03/salt-lake-city-market-update-first-week-of-march/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:25:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Foreclosure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mortgage rates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sales]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=682</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="460" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JE91psC7zAk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Check out this beautiful home on Truman Ave</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/02/check-out-this-beautiful-home-on-truman-ave-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/02/check-out-this-beautiful-home-on-truman-ave-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:58:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scott's Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=678</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Price: $175,000 Bedrooms: 2  Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial  Garage: 2  Square Feet: 1,496 This home has tons of character and charm. Original woodwork floors, and moldings have all been refinished. New carpet and paint. Cute kitchen with all of the features you need. Master bedroom has tons of room with a sitting area and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-679" href="http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/02/check-out-this-beautiful-home-on-truman-ave-2/c6rjwe-2/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-679" title="C6RJWE" src="http://www.greatscottutah.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/C6RJWE1-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p id="ctl00_MainContent_ctl02_BasicInfo1_rptDescriptors_ctl00_InfoName-basic-name">Price: $175,000</p>
<p>Bedrooms: 2</p>
<p> Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial</p>
<p> Garage: 2</p>
<p> Square Feet: 1,496</p>
<div>This home has tons of character and charm. Original woodwork floors, and moldings have all been refinished. New carpet and paint. Cute kitchen with all of the features you need. Master bedroom has tons of room with a sitting area and private bath. There is also tons of storage throughout. 2 car garage with drive through to the back yard. Backyard offers a great place for summer activities. Call Scott for a tour of this great place 801.209.1120</div>
<div><a href="http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1013396">http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=1013396</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Salt Lake City Market Update for 1/17/11</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/01/salt-lake-city-market-update-for-11711/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2011/01/salt-lake-city-market-update-for-11711/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:45:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cottonwood Heights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf location]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[High end in Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holladay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Utah]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=660</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="460" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KfMQ44CKfmI" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Salt Lake Real Estate Market News for 12/8/2010</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/12/salt-lake-real-estate-market-news-for-1282010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/12/salt-lake-real-estate-market-news-for-1282010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Dec 2010 23:31:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cottonwood Heights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Home prices]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Sales]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=646</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Check out my weekly Video for all of the latest Salt Lake City Real Estate News!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Check out my weekly Video for all of the latest Salt Lake City Real Estate News!</p>
<p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="450" height="385" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NR3nKDOFh-4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="385" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NR3nKDOFh-4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Gorgeous Remodel in Cottonwood Heights</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/11/gorgeous-remodel-in-cottonwood-heights/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/11/gorgeous-remodel-in-cottonwood-heights/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 20:26:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scott's Listings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cottonwood Heights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Listing Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Townhouse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Utah]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=640</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Price: $149,900  Type: Condo/Townhome Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial Square Feet:  1,150 MLS ID:  999087 JUST REDUCED!! Best townhouse on the market ***Complete Remodel*** New carpet, paint, windows, roof, cabinets, tile, fixtures etc. Everything is new. Conveniently located in Cottonwood Heights and is within walking distance to the recreation center and schools. You [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-641" href="http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/11/gorgeous-remodel-in-cottonwood-heights/j4t879/"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-641" title="J4T879" src="http://www.greatscottutah.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/J4T879-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p id="ctl00_MainContent_ctl02_BasicInfo1_rptDescriptors_ctl00_InfoName-basic-name">Price: $149,900</p>
<p> Type: Condo/Townhome</p>
<p>Bedrooms: 2</p>
<p>Bathrooms: 1 Full, 1 Partial</p>
<p>Square Feet:  1,150</p>
<p>MLS ID:  999087</p>
<p>JUST REDUCED!! Best townhouse on the market ***Complete Remodel*** New carpet, paint, windows, roof, cabinets, tile, fixtures etc. Everything is new. Conveniently located in Cottonwood Heights and is within walking distance to the recreation center and schools. You will not want to miss seeing this remarkable place. Call Scott to arrange a showing 801-209-1120</p>
<p><a href="http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=999087">http://www.circlepix.com/tours/6?wfrnum=999087</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Salt Lake Real Estate Market News</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/11/salt-lake-real-estate-market-news/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/11/salt-lake-real-estate-market-news/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:55:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate Market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales Price]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salt Lake Real Estate News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=637</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is a Salt Lake real estate market update for November 23, 2010.  The market is still moving forward even though we have witnessed a 15-30% depreciation for sellers (depending on the area.) However, it seems that prices have been staying level over the past month as well as a dramatic increase in buyer activity [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here is a Salt Lake real estate market update for November 23, 2010.  The market is still moving forward even though we have witnessed a 15-30% depreciation for sellers (depending on the area.) However, it seems that prices have been staying level over the past month as well as a dramatic increase in buyer activity over the past 2 months.  This is a very encouraging sign for the Salt Lake Real Estate market. Stay tuned for updates about our current market.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Forbes: The Best States For Business And Careers, Kurt Badenhausen</title>
		<link>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/10/forbes-the-best-states-for-business-and-careers-kurt-badenhausen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatscottutah.com/2010/10/forbes-the-best-states-for-business-and-careers-kurt-badenhausen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:08:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>scott</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Market News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Forbes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Utah]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatscottutah.com/?p=635</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When voters in 37 states select their governors next month, the overriding issue will be, of course, the economy. A recent CBS News poll found that 54% of adults think the economy and jobs are the most important problem the U.S. is facing today. Health care ranked a distant second, with 7% of the tally. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When voters in 37 states select their governors next month, the overriding issue will be, of course, the economy. A recent CBS News poll found that 54% of adults think the economy and jobs are the most important problem the U.S. is facing today. Health care ranked a distant second, with 7% of the tally. Almost every state experienced decreased output, a loss of jobs and budget shortfalls during the economic downturn. Nationwide employment has declined by 7 million jobs over the past two years while gross domestic product growth has been sluggish this year after a 2.6% drop in 2009. No state has emerged unscathed. But some areas are doing better than others, and for many of them, it isn&#8217;t an accident. Who&#8217;s doing the best job when it comes to fostering growth? Utah, according to our fifth annual look at the Best States for Business. The Beehive State captured the top spot in our rankings for the first time, after a four-year run by Virginia at the head of the list. Slide Show: The Best States For Business Utah&#8217;s economy has expanded 3.5% annually over the past five years, faster than any other state except North Dakota. This is three-and-a-half times faster than the U.S. as a whole. Total employment in the U.S. has shrunk over the past five years, but in Utah it increased 1.5% annually, fourth-best in the nation. Household incomes have surged 5% annually, which is tops in the country and twice as fast as the national average. &#8220;We have a fiscally conservative government where we are trying to keep government off your backs and out of your wallet. We want the free market do what it does best,&#8221; says Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican running for a full term this year after taking over the job in August 2009, when then Gov. Jon Huntsman was appointed U.S. ambassador to China. Utah lowered its corporate tax rate from 7% to 5% in 2008, to the delight of businesses. The rate is now one of the lowest in the country. The regulatory climate is also pro-business, with the Pacific Research Institute rating Utah second-best in the regulatory component of its U.S. Economic Freedom Index. &#8220;We want to make sure we don&#8217;t have any nonsensical regulations that inhibit the private sector from expanding and having a profitable bottom line,&#8221; says Hebert. Other factors the state have going for it include energy costs 35% below the national average; an educated labor force, with 90% of residents holding a high school diploma (and 29% a college degree); a great quality of life with low poverty rates; a healthy populous; and ample recreational opportunities. Utah boasts a triple-A debt rating from Moody&#8217;s, S&amp;P and Fitch. Earlier this year Forbes crowned Utah the country&#8217;s most fiscally fit state government. Companies across the country are taking notice. Goldman Sachs keeps expanding its operations in Utah, and its Salt Lake City office is now the company&#8217;s second-largest in North America. Adobe announced plans in August to build a new campus in Utah that will create 1,000 new jobs there, building on its $1.8 billion purchase of Orem-based Web analytic firm Omniture last year. Oracle and eBay are both building massive data centers outside Salt Lake City. Our Best States ranking measures six vital categories for businesses: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life. We factor in 33 points of data to determine the ranks in the six main areas. Business costs, which include labor, energy and taxes, are weighted the most heavily. We relied on 10 data sources, with research firm Moody&#8217;s Economy.com as the most-utilized resource. &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211; Our former No. 1-ranked state, Virginia, falls to No. 2 this year. Virginia still boasts a very favorable business climate, with an educated labor supply and solid economic growth. But Virginia&#8217;s business costs (namely labor and energy) have crept up, which allowed Utah to leapfrog it. Rounding out the top five are No. 3 North Carolina, No. 4 Colorado and fifth-ranked Washington. The Northeast isn&#8217;t dead yet, judging by our rankings, despite high business costs and crippling budget deficits. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts all rank among the priciest states when it comes to labor, taxes and energy costs. Yet each state moved up the rankings this year, thanks to improving current economic climates and growth prospects relative to the rest of the country, compared with last year. Massachusetts made the biggest move of any state this year, climbing from No. 34 to No. 16. Business costs in the Bay State are highest in the country: 22% above the national average. But venture capital continues to pour into the state, looking to take advantage of the bright minds at elite universities in and around Boston and Cambridge. VCs invested $2.9 billion in Massachusetts companies last year, second only to California. The state enjoys the highest college attainment rate in the country, with 38% of adults possessing a degree. Bringing up the rear this year is Maine, which replaced No. 49 Rhode Island at the bottom of our rankings. Growth prospects in Maine have deteriorated relative to the rest of the country. Job growth is expected to increase 1.3% annually over the next five years&#8211;one of the worst forecasts in the country. The state has endured a rash of business closings the past three years as well. Mainers head to the polls next month to choose a new governor. The state&#8217;s current chief, democrat John Baldacci, is off the hook though; thanks to term limits, Baldacci cannot seek reelection.</p>
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