From the Daily Fly:
PULLMAN, WA — Idaho has been ranked among the top five states in the nation in the 2026 Index of Freedom released Monday by Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
The annual report evaluates the business climate in all 50 states using three primary areas: government efficiency, regulatory freedom and energy resiliency. SEL said the factors are intended to measure conditions that can support investment, innovation and long-term economic growth.
South Dakota earned the top position in this year’s rankings, followed by Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota and Idaho.
The 2026 report marks the fifth year SEL has published the Index of Freedom. According to the company, this year’s edition provides additional information on how state-level policies can influence economic opportunities and competitiveness while also examining the role of trade and global connectivity.
SEL Founder Dr. Edmund O. Schweitzer III said differences in state policies can eventually become visible through economic growth, investment, entrepreneurship and job creation.
The rankings draw on publicly available information from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and Energy Information Administration, along with policy research organizations and SEL’s experience operating in multiple states.
SEL said the report is intended as a resource for business leaders considering expansion and investment opportunities, policymakers looking to improve state competitiveness and communities seeking to attract jobs and strengthen local economies.