The nation's business and jobs mecca is located in Utah County, according to one of the country's top business publications.
This week, Forbes released its 14th annual "Best Place for Business and Careers," listing Provo ahead of Raleigh, N.C., and Fort Collins, Colo. Last year’s top city, Raleigh, N.C., dipped to No. 2 as living costs climbed to 5 percent above the national average.
Also cracking the top 10 was Ogden at No. 6, with Salt Lake City coming in at No. 24 on the list of the top metro areas nationwide.
Provo's $16 billion economy was bolstered by Brigham Young University — the third-largest private college by enrollment in the nation. In 2010, the school ranked behind only the University of Utah and MIT in the number of start-up companies produced through university research.
Forbes said Provo also enjoyed the third best job growth in the country last year at 3 percent, as well as the lowest violent crime rate in the U.S. The city also had the tenth lowest overall crime rate nationally, with a population that has doubled in the past 20 years. Deseret News
