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In contrast, the most anti-entrepreneur policy environments are offered by the following: 37) North Carolina, 38) Montana, 39) Ohio, 40) West Virginia, 41) Iowa, 42) Oregon, 43) New Mexico, 44) Vermont, 45) New York, 46) California, 47) Rhode Island, 48) Maine, 49) Minnesota, 50) Hawaii, and 51) District of Columbia.

According to SBSC chief economist Raymond J. Keating, author of the study, The Small Business Survival Index 2003 compares how governments in the states treat small businesses and entrepreneurs. Since small business serves as the backbone of the U.S. economy - - for example, by providing the bulk of new jobs and being a font of innovation - - every state and local lawmaker should be concerned with how their policies impact small business.

SBSC president Darrell McKigney added, "With small businesses creating some three-quarters of all net new jobs, everyone has an interest in knowing if their state's government stands behind its small businesses -- or is standing in the way."

The Small Business Survival Index 2003 analyzes 21 major government-imposed or government-related costs affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs such as personal and business tax rates, property taxes, as well electricity and health care costs, and computes an overall rating. The entire report is available at www.sbsc.org.

Keating notes: The Small Business Survival Index manages to capture much of the governmental burdens impacting critical economic decisions -- particularly affecting investment and entrepreneurship -- state by state. Starting up, owning and operating a business is a risky venture. But those individuals willing to take such risks, by making investments of resources, time and energy, spur the economy forward. Indeed, entrepreneurship and investment serve as the economy's lifeblood. Of course, most politicians claim to support small business, but their actions speak far louder than any political speeches ever could.Â?

Keating concludes: "The best policy environment for entrepreneurship consists of low taxes, limited government, restrained regulation, and government protecting life, limb and property. States following such a governing philosophy will reap great rewards from America's entrepreneurs, including faster economic growth and increased job creation."

For a copy of the Small Business Survival Index 2003, visit SBSC's website at www.sbsc.org. SBSC is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy group headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Contact: Darrell McKigney or Raymond J. Keating 202-785-0238 or 631-878-3109