State Chamber Launches 2007 Competitiveness Redbook

Oct. 8, 2006

OLYMPIA, WA —The Association of Washington Business and the Washington Research Council have completed the 2007 Competitiveness Redbook—a report that provides a snapshot of Washington ’s business climate compared to that of all 50 states in the nation.

            While many key factors demonstrate an increased strong performance, the usual suspects continue to reduce Washington ’s competitiveness. “Since 1990, Washington has added more than 450,000 jobs, propelled to the fourth highest in R&D expenditures, and invested more than $350 million in venture capital,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “The flip side is that businesses in Washington still face one of the most costly tax burdens in the nation. Unemployment insurance taxes are still the highest in the nation, health spending has almost doubled, and the state minimum wage continues to rise.”

            The 2007 Redbook provides a valuable set of indicators that track and evaluate the competitiveness of Washington ’s business climate. As the introduction of the book states, “We believe this data will help guide the focus of business leaders and public officials as they work together to further improve Washington ’s business climate.” The Redbook contains more than 50 specific areas of measurement that help rank Washington compared all of the other 49 states.

            For a more detailed analysis of the Redbook, or to obtain a copy, please contact AWB’s Shawn Sullivan at ShawnS@awb.org, or by calling (360) 943-1600. The 2007 Competitiveness Redbook costs $7, with shipping included.

((Members of the media can receive one free copy by calling Shawn Sullivan at (360) 943-1600.))       

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AWB is Washington 's oldest and largest statewide business association. Formed in 1904, its 6,000 members employ more than 650,000 workers.  AWB also acts as the state's chamber of commerce and the umbrella organization for more than 130 trade and professional organizations. While AWB's membership includes the state’s major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, more than 85 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people, and one-third of our members hire fewer than 10.