Seems like good timing when you move to Seattle, and then not long after the U.S. News & World Report releases their “Best States Ranking” with the state of Washington at the top of the list.

Education, fiscal stability and infrastructure are just a few of the categories they used to assess the strength of a particular region. After working in economic development for more than 7 years, and servicing EDs from the interactive agency side for more than 5 years, I can attest to how important these factors are to site consultants and companies. People often assume that discretionary and statutory incentives play the largest role in a company’s decision to relocate. And they wouldn’t be wrong. Job tax credits, R&D tax credits, investment tax credits, energy savings, and many other mechanisms to save companies money – that they can reinvest – are all very important.

But without the available workforce, and solid workforce training programs in place, any region is going to suffer over the long haul. Washington has that figured out, hence the reason they ranked #4 in that particular category. But what about “Natural Environment”? We all love it. We all need it. But here there is a Governor who has made it a cornerstone of his policies.

It has certainly been an awesome experience getting my little future workers out in the beauty that surrounds Seattle. Here are some recent outings.

A boy takes a leap from Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

A woman looks out over Puget Sound from Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

Mount Baker looms large over a lighthouse in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

A tanker passes by Dungeness Spit.

A sailboat makes its way across Puget Sound outside of Seattle in the afternoon light.

But certainly looking forward to seeing/learning/experiencing more.

Congrats on your ranking Washington!