Southern hospitality is a way of life for Atlanta residents. Even its business community is welcoming, according to a yearly survey. Conducted by Thumbtack.com in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, this study uses information from more than 12,000 small business owners to approximate levels of business friendliness in cities throughout the county. Based on the results of a two-month survey, Atlanta has scored an A- for overall business friendliness, receiving one of the highest grades in the study. Colorado Springs, Colo. and Boise, Idaho top the list, followed by Austin and Houston, Texas. As a whole, Georgia ranks as one of the top 10 friendliest states in the nation.
Atlanta was docked points for its training and networking programs, which were one of the strongest determinants of overall friendliness in the study. Small business owners felt that the city could stand to advance in this area. In regards to environmental regulations, Atlanta earned a B+, a mark that also shows room for improvement. Another noteworthy statistic relates to the percent of business owners in the city who reported paying their designated share of taxes. This number falls at fifty-three percent, meaning that roughly half of business owners in Atlanta pay "the right share of taxes," in line with the national average.
These findings add strength to CNBC’s argument that Georgia is now the top state to do business. Since 2007, when CNBC first developed a ranking for competitiveness, Georgia has always secured a position within the top 10. Last year, the state placed eighth. This year, however, it leads the list. For the third year in row, Georgia’s best category is workforce. The state also ties for first in infrastructure. In this study, Georgia ranks 14th for business friendliness.
