TOP TOWN FOR ENTREPRENEURS: Columbia takes #2 rank among small cities

For startup companies, new survey finds CoMo in good company

 

COLUMBIA, Mo 6/26/13 (Beat Byte) -- Columbia is the #2 Best Small City for Young Entrepreneurs, says a new survey from Under 30 CEO magazine.

"The city has three institutions of higher education: the University of Missouri, Columbia College, and Stephens College," the rating notes. "Local resources for entrepreneurs includes Mizzou Advantage, Enterprise Development Corporation, Centennial Investors, AdVentures, and Student Angel Capital Group."

The entrepreneurship ranking comes as city leaders pursue new strategies to support start up enterprises. Multi-million dollar incentive packages to large, old-guard firms such as IBM -- now in the throes of renewed layoffs -- have proven unpopular. Less in the news these days: tax breaks, Blight, and other big business incentives.

Divided into small, medium, and large cities based on population, the Under 30 CEO survey ranked Austin, Tx. at the top spot for large cities; Atlanta tops for mid-size cities; and edging Columbia for the top spot among small cities with populations between 100-250,000 people, Chattanooga, Tenn.

"Columbia is a great place to live," the Under 30 CEO editors write. "It offers a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests, a low cost of living, an excellent education system, outstanding health care."

 

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http://under30ceo.com/top-30-best-cities-for-young-entrepreneurs-2013/