Cheyenne Makes List of Best Places to Launch a Business
The April edition of Fortune Small Business features the top one hundred places in America to live and launch a business. Cheyenne was placed 84th.
Metropolitan areas on this list were selected according to economic factors such as taxes, employment growth and airline connections within 60 miles. Quality of life factors, including parks, art venues, health resources and climate, were also taken into consideration.
After using these elements to narrow the list, the remaining cities were ranked by percentages of start up businesses, population growth and crime rates. Affordable housing was also taken into account. Interviews with local experts were then held in each city to explore small business programs, tax incentives, and recreational opportunities.
Cheyenne's "launching" score was relatively high at 84% which is not surprising. Cheyenne is often ranked as a good place to do business in national polls. Low temperatures and health care issues are the most likely behind the low "living" score of 23%. Those scores, combined with an average business start up percentage, result in the ranking of 84.
Other regional cities ranked include Denver (7), Colorado Springs (28), and Fort Collins (39). Only one high plains city north of Cheyenne, Billings (89), was ranked.