While the economy is slightly declining and some Nevada jobs are being lost, the state was recently ranked as having one of the country’s most favorable business climates.

In July Nevada was ranked as having the fifth-best business climate in the country. The ranking came in the Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing survey, which is conducted by Development Counsellors International every three years. Nevada also ranked fifth on the survey in 2002, and is the only western state in the top 10, according to a press release from the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

In July 2008, Nevada had a total non-farm employment of 1,281,800, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, a .6 percent decrease from last year.

Of the 281 corporate executives that responded to the survey, 14.1 percent said Nevada had the most favorable business climate. Texas ranked first with 40.8 percent, followed by North Carolina with 30.4 percent, Georgia with 20.4 percent and Tennessee and Florida with 15.2 percent.

“When asked why they selected the states they did as being best for business, the corporate executives frequently cited three factors: a strong labor market, low operating costs and a pro-business climate,” the article notes.

The survey also noted that California, New York and Michigan have the least favorable business climates. China, India and Mexico were the top countries outside the U.S. with favorable business climates.

“With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey,” DCI President Andrew T. Levine said in the article. “Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location’s business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs.”

The DCI specializes in economic development and tourist marketing. The agency has worked for more than 350 cities, regions, states and countries since it was founded in 1960.