Forbes rates North Dakota as the best state to start a business in

(Bismarck, ND) — North Dakota is receiving praise from Forbes Magazine. In an article published January 2, Forbes editors ranked North Dakota as the overall best state to start a business in.

“Its business environment is notably welcoming,” the report stated. Forbes states North Dakota’s business survival rate currently sits at 77 percent, stating that “reflects a supportive and resilient environment where businesses have a better chance of thriving.”

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe says his office, which handles all of the aspects of starting a business in the state, prides themselves on “being the front door to every new business.”

“In my public service career, going back to my legislative days, I would hear that a lot about North Dakota’s business friendly climate,” Howe said of the business environment in the state.

Howe says the Secretary of State’s business services unit processed approximately 46,000 filings — ranging anywhere from new LLCs to annual report filings.

Howe made the comments while appearing on The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom Show on Tuesday.