After two years of taking first place, the Bay State dropped two positons down in the 10th Annual State Competitiveness Index by Suffolk University’s Beacon Hill Institute.
North Dakota placed first this year, Colorado second and Massachusetts third.
The State Competitiveness Report measures the long-term competitiveness of an area. According to the 2010 Report, a state is competitive “if it has in place the policies and conditions that ensure and sustain a high level of per capita income and its continued growth.”
The BHI competitveness index takes 43 indicators into account that are further divided into eight subindexes: government and fiscal policy, security, infrastructure, human resources, technology, business incubation, openness and environmental policy.
Massachusetts scored number one in measures of human resources and technology, but scored comparatively low in indicators measuring budget deficit and air quality.
Massachusetts House of Representatives Speaker Robert DeLeo spoke at Suffolk University on Monday upon the release of the report.
“Even with the slippage of our state to third place, the data makes clear that we have set a very high standard and other states are racing to catch up with us,” DeLeo said.
“When I speak with my counterparts from other states, I am constantly reminded of the fact that this survey bears out: most of the other states in the country would love to be in Massachusetts’ position. Even now we stand higher than 47 other states. Yet we cannot rest on our laurels.”
The lowest-ranked states were Alabama at 48, West Virginia at 49 and Mississippi at 50.
BHI spokesman Frank Conte said in an interview that Massachusetts was still a competitive state, though it should keep the results in perspective for the long term.
“Massachusetts’ unparalelled workforce makes it a truly competitive state and we continue to be encouraged by a number of indicators that show that we’re doing well by measure,” Conte said. “However, we have 47 states in opposition and they are moving ahead. Massachusetts is doing well in the sectors of health, human resources, technology and businesses.”
Conte said that the report was a measure of long term effects.
“We should be concerned about long-term problems,” he said. “Some of these problems are public transport, rising energy costs, especially because of a focus on green energy, housing etc. Reducing budget deficit should be a focus.”
Gov. Deval Patrick’s office saw the report as a continued indicator of progress.
Massachusetts State House Office of Housing spokeswoman Kofi Jones said that a focus on the next generation of leaders was important.
“We should continue to build and foster our system. Our student retention policy is effective and we should continue to create global leaders. We should collaborate with and support numerous industries, student effort and future entrepreneurs, people like yourself [college students],” Jones said.
“We need to keep our young talent here, the leaders of the next generation, which will keep us at the forefront of the nation. Our policy is to be at the front of these issus and continue to stay at the front of the pack.”
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