Maine Last on the Forbes List of ‘Best States for Business’

For the third in a row, Maine ranks No. 50 in 'Forbes' seventh annual 'Best States for Business' report.  Gov. Paul LePage says he's disappointed but not all that surprised by the ranking.

Despite Maine's ranking as 50 overall, Maine did show some improvement in lowering business costs, rising from 44th in 2011 to 40th in 2012. Gov. LePage said Maine still has to get serious about lowering energy costs, improving education and paying its bills.

Forbes also said Maine's corporate tax burden (16% above the national average), high energy costs and aging population as negative factors.

We just need to remember that Forbes was looking at certain, specific, areas in this report. It is not an overall statement of what Maine is or is not. Maine has A LOT of things going for it; we all know it, that is why we live here.