A new study from digital marketing site DesignRush revealed the worst states in America for entrepreneurial success, ranking Wisconsin No. 14 worst in the nation. The study analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to find the change in the number of business establishments per state between September 2022–September 2023. The states with the lowest percentage increase of businesses over the year determined the ranking.
Wisconsin saw a net change of 6,027 businesses over the year, growing from 200,181 registered businesses in September 2022 to 206,208 in the same month of 2023 — a 3% increase.
Illinois and Minnesota were ranked 13th and 10th worst, respectively, with corresponding increases in business establishments of 2.9% and 2.1% over the year. Illinois reported growth from 399,725 businesses in September 2022 to 411,341 in September 2023. Those respective numbers for Minnesota were 202,076 and 206,378.
Michigan largely outstripped nearby states, ranking No. 38 worst. It saw growth from 298,855 businesses in September 2022 to 325,467 in the same month of 2023 — an increase of 9.4%.
