2014′s Best Cities to Start a Business

[finehoe]

1. Jacksonville, Fla.

2. Fayetteville, N.C.

3. Augusta, Ga.

4. Jackson, Miss.

5. Memphis, Tenn.

Jacksonville, FL
"Where Florida begins" just so happens to be where small business begins these days, as Florida's largest city boasts the country's second-highest 5-year small business survival rate as well as attractive corporate tax rates, a bountiful labor force and fairly accessible small business funding.

Jacksonville's high ranking as a entrepreneurial destination mirrors expectations for strong growth throughout the city's economy in 2014, buoyed by hiring in the construction and professional services industries as well as a burgeoning start-up community

http://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-to-start-a-business/2281/

[IrvAdams]

We have always been a business-focused city in a tourist-focused state. I think that model serves us well and will continue to keep this area strong and prosperous in the future.

[Tacachale]

Nice to get some props.

[KenFSU]

"Florida's largest city boasts the country's second-highest 5-year small business survival rate."

^ Cool stat!

[mtraininjax]

Based on the reports from Ben from Intuition and John from Mellow Mushroom and their report in the Times Union, I have to really question the validity of this information. The City of Jax is no picnic when setting up a new business or getting permits. Many people in the Zoning department are just plain L-A-Z-Y, as we have experienced in our building plans. No one seems to know where stamped prints are or in process. A checklist and an online system would be helpful, and our city is really a cluster-XXXX when it comes to processing documents. From concept to implementation, it is a problem.

[I-10east]

^^^They really didn't speak about introductory issues, like acquiring permits, municipal red tape etc, so I didn't read anything to make that list's high points invalid. Show me the metro that doesn't go through any red tape. Hell, the so called 'progressive' cities are worst, with environmental issues etc. 

[finehoe]

I suppose "a bountiful labor force" could translate as "high unemployment".