Study: Abilene is a bargain for business

Abilene has another arrow in its quiver for attracting business.

The 2010 Kosmont-Rose Cost of Doing Business survey lists Abilene as one of the top 10 cities in the country for low cost of doing business. The survey covered 402 cities. Cities were listed alphabetically in the report, and Abilene’s exact position was not revealed.

The survey is conducted annually by Kosmont Companies of Los Angeles and the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College in California.

“The survey uses a proprietary formula of state and local government fees, taxes and economic incentives to help companies compare cities in which they might relocate or expand,” the report said. “Two of the biggest determinants of cost are business license fees and property taxes.”

“I’m not surprised Abilene is in the top 10,” said Richard Burdine of the Development Corporation of Abilene. “We are hopeful the survey results give corporations and site selection consultants seeking new locations another reason to include Abilene on their shortlist of cities to consider.”

Burdine said the survey uses a variety of factors. He listed tax rates, business taxes, sales and property taxes, and state income tax, which Texas does not have.

Crime statistics, air and rail service and taxable retail store sales also factor in, he said.

Mike McMahan of the Chamber of Commerce had not seen the report but was pleased to hear the result.

“This is an attribute that those of us that do business in Abilene have believed for a long time, that this is a great place to do business,” he said.