North Dakota, with its growing economy, budget surplus and diverse natural resources, is one of the best locations in the US for new and expanding businesses. The state has a reputation for supporting businesses and entrepreneurs and works closely with overseas interests to make the transition to the US an easy one.

Global companies such as Microsoft, Caterpillar, Deere & Company, United Technologies, Archer Daniels Midland, Cirrus Design, Case New Holland, Iberdrola, Doosan/Bobcat, Cognizant, Buhler, Amazon.com, Cargill, Monsanto and Northrop Grumman have growing operations in North Dakota.

They recognise the state for its stable tax and regulatory climate, secure location, highly educated and productive workforce, abundant tax and business incentives and low employee turnover.

North Dakota offers a number of competitive advantages:

• Reliable, low-cost energy
• Typically ranked No.1 in the US in the production of 14 different agricultural commodities
• Ranked as the No.1 Growth Performer State since 2000 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Ranked No.1 in the US as the Most Competitive State by the Beacon Hill Institute
• Ranked No.2 Best State for Business by Forbes Magazine
• Designated as an EB-5 (Green Card) regional centre for foreign investments
• Easy access to local, state and federal officials

WORKFORCE ADVANTAGE
• Among the top five states in the nation for fewest poor physical health days – just 2.8 days out of the previous 30
• Less than 8 per cent turnover rate in manufacturing industry
• More than 50 per cent of North Dakota’s 25 to 34 year-old population has associate degrees or higher – 10 per cent above the national average
• North Dakota ranks No.2 in the nation in the percentage of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degrees awarded
• Right-to-work state
• Aggressive long-term workforce enhancement and recruitment programmes to provide a reliable pipeline of talented workers to continue fuelling business growth

COST ADVANTAGE
• Significant property tax exemptions, including no personal property tax
• Corporate income tax lowered in 2013 from 5.15 per cent to 4.53 per cent
• Corporate income tax exemptions for up to five years for new and expanding manufacturers
• Sales and use tax exemptions on manufacturing/computer/telecommunications equipment, water, electricity and interstate communications for technology-based business
• Wide range of financial incentives and easy access to local financing institutions
• Numerous grants, low-interest loans and training programmes
• Job training and workforce development assistance
• Lowest workers compensation premium rates in the US