Iowa Rises on Forbes 'Best States' Ranking

Iowa up to 14

Iowa was one of three states identified as "big movers up" in the latest ranking of "Best States for Business" by Forbes magazine.

Iowa is ranked 14th this year, up from 22 in 2006. It is joined by North Dakota and Oregon as other big gainers.

According to the report, only two states, Alaska and North Dakota, are expected to see employment gains this year. Maryland, North Dakota and Virginia are the only states where the economy is projected to expand in 2009.

Virginia was in the top spot on the list, a list significantly changed by the recession. "Virginia's economy has deteriorated, with the number of unemployed soaring 60 percent, while gross state product is flat and household incomes are expected to fall 4 percent," the magazine writes. "Relative to the rest of the country though, Virginia is booming."

The ranking measures six categories: costs, labor supply, regulatory environment, current economic climate, growth prospects and quality of life.