Chief Executive magazine asked leading CEO's to grade the states on taxes, regulations, workforce quality including employee work ethic, general education level of the workforce, and living environment.  Chief Executive magazine's 2010 top ten states for business are as follows:

Virginia secures #1 ranking in Forbes' "Best States for Business" for fourth straight year.  Top ten states for 2009 are:

CNBC's 2009 top ten states for business are as follows:

The fifth annual survey of more than 500 CEOs conducted by Chief Executive Magazine ranked states for job growth and business.  States were graded on factors including taxation, regulatory environment, quality of workforce and quality of life.  The top 10 states for business in 2009 and their economic development offices are:

The Center for Digital Government conducted a survey of chief information officers and top executives to assess digital best practices among state governments.  The top ten digital states for 2008 are:

Virginia topped the list in Forbes' 2008 rankings of the best states for business.  The top ten are: