The Money Game

There are more than a few times a year that I love living in Des Moines.  Winter is not one of them… however, most of us native Iowans love our state because of certain other things — like, the State Fair, RAGBRAI, and mullets.

Now, Forbes magazine has given us a new reason to love this little business mecca we all know and love.  Des Moines was recently listed as #4 in the Top 10 Places for Business and Careers, right behind Raleigh, Boise, and Fort Collins (also known as Ft. Fun!).  What an honor this is — but why did Forbes have to go and advertise how cool we are?  Now everyone will be packing up their beach wear and bringing them to good ole’ Des Moines.  You know how to spot the foreigners, though, don’t you?  They cringe at Deep Fat Fried Twinkies.

Here’s the actual list (and a comment from Forbes):

Also, the Forbes ranking may have you rethinking Iowa as just “the corn state”. Des Moines, ranked fourth, with its sports arena, art center and heated 3 mile skywalk, now boasts an unemployment rate of 3.4% and business costs that are 10% below the national average.

2008 Top Ten Places For Business and Careers

1. Raleigh, North Carolina (#1, 2007)

2. Boise, Idaho (#3, 2007)

3. Fort Collins, Colorado (#28, 2007)

4. Des Moines, Iowa (#4, 2007)

5. Lexington, Kentucky (#30, 2007)

6. Atlanta, Georgia (#25, 2007)

7. Richmond, Virginia (#14, 2007)

8. Olympia, Washington (#10, 2007)

9. Spokane, Washington (#20, 2007)

10. Knoxville, Tennessee (#5, 2007)