This year’s survey of the best cities for jobs contains one particularly promising piece of news: the revival of the country’s long distressed industrial sector and those regions most dependent on it. Manufacturing has grown consistently over the past 21 months, and now, for the first time in years, according to data mined by Pepperdine University’s Michael Shires, manufacturing regions are beginning to move up on the list of best cities for jobs.

Midland, Texas ranked sixth in industrial rankings — fifth  among the smaller cities. An expanding oil and gas sector has sparked a strong revival not only in manufacturing but also in business services and finance.

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Source: www.forbes.com

Texas has been ranked the top state for job growth and business development for the seventh year in a row in a survey of CEOs by Chief Executive Magazine. The survey asked 550 CEOs to consider a wide range of criteria, from taxation and regulation to workforce quality and living environment, in the magazine’s annual ranking of the best states for business.

In the study, Texas received strong marks in all areas important for business creation, while highlighting the state’s low tax burden and robust job creation compared to other states. Additionally, the study credited the state’s predictable policies and regulations, positive attitude toward business and Texans’ strong work ethic with helping the state hold the top ranking since 2005.

Texas continues to pursue fiscally responsible priorities that have been crucial to fostering job creation and economic development, and attracting businesses to expand and relocate in the state, including low taxes, reasonable regulations, a fair legal system and an equipped, educated workforce.  Texas’ economy continues to receive national recognition and no other state is home to more Fortune 1000 companies.

To see CEO Magazine’s announcement of the 2011 Best/Worst States for Business survey, please click here  .

To see the full grades for each state, please visit here.  To see charts that show how states fare on the factors most essential for a business-friendly environment and what states are doing to attract and retain companies, please visit here.