COVID-19 Business Impact: The Best (And Worst) States For Solution Providers

The COVID-19 crisis has hit state economies–and businesses–hard. Here’s a state-by-state look at the business impact of the pandemic and the recession to help guide solution providers as they make strategic decisions in the months ahead.

The Business Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

The headlines and news stories have focused on the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities–and rightly so–with the U.S. recently passing the sad milestone of 200,000 deaths.

But the pandemic and ensuing recession that officially began in February has impacted the economies of each of the 50 states to varying degrees. Such differences have hinged on the prevalence of COVID-19 in each state, the degree of efforts by state and local governments to contain the virus by shutting down businesses, the level of financial support and other resources provided to reduce the impact of economic shutdowns, and other factors.

Each year CRN undertakes its Best States project to help IT entrepreneurs identify the best and the worst states in the U.S. to start and operate a solution provider business. This year, because of the pandemic, solution providers had to quickly pivot their businesses as the IT needs of their customers changed and everyone adjusted to a new normal.

With the pandemic ongoing and the economy struggling to recover, CRN is itself pivoting with this year’s Best States. This year’s overall state-by-state included a number of COVID-19-related criteria such as the pandemic’s impact on each state’s GDP and employment. In addition to that analysis, we provide in the following slides information and state rankings that pertain solely to the pandemic and its business impact.

The state rankings look at a range of data such as state and local government efforts to contain the spread of the virus, the impact on small businesses, available resources to assist businesses to mitigate the impact of business shutdowns, job losses and declines in state GDP, and state economy recoveries. The rankings start with those states where the business impact was the greatest.

A complete list of data sources is provided at the end of the slide show. (Note: Given the focus on business impact, data on state COVID-19 cases and deaths were not included in the analysis.)

Some of the results may be surprising and possibly even counterintuitive. Some states that made headlines when struck hard by the virus fared better from a business perspective either because of a more vigorous government response, more available resources and a more diversified economy. Consequently, businesses may have done better in states that implemented more limited economic shutdowns.

Methodology And Data Sources

The Best States Covid-19 Business Impact analysis relied on data and research from a range of sources.

Chief among them were several reports from WalletHub including “States with the Most Aggressive Measures in Limiting Virus Exposure,” “States with the Most Affected Small Businesses due to COVID-19” and “State Economies Most Exposed to Coronavirus.”

Statistics about state GDP were developed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Employment data was supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (part of the U.S. Labor Department) while net job loss numbers came from the “COVID-19 Economic Crisis: By State” report from the University of New Hampshire Carsey School of Public Policy

Data on COVID-19 cases and deaths, obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, was evaluated while conducting research for this project. But given the focus on business impact in this analysis, data on COVID-19 cases and deaths was not included when calculating state rankings.

The data was weighted for the analysis according to the results of solution provider surveys conducted by the CRN Research Department.

Oklahoma

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 50

Oklahoma was fortunate in that it did not take as big an economic hit in the early months of the pandemic as many other states. The Sooner State’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.2 percent of the workforce (No. 7) with the unemployment rate standing at 6.6 percent in July (No. 5). The state’s GDP declined 4.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 12).

But Oklahoma is at the bottom of this analysis because of its low ranks for a range of criteria that measure a state’s pandemic readiness and the business impact of the COVID-19 crisis–especially on small businesses. The state is a relatively poor No. 34 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, No. 34 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, and No. 43 for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses.

Texas

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 49

Texas’ net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.9 percent of the workforce (No. 21) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.6 percent (No. 22) in July.

While the Lone Star State’s GDP declined only 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 3), the state is a low No. 41 in business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses, and No. 39 among states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19. And Texas ranks No. 37 for small-business impact and access to resources.

Colorado

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 48

Colorado’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 7.4 percent of the workforce (No. 23) with the unemployment rate standing at 10.5 percent (No. 34) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 15).

The Centennial State scores poorly in a number of business impact criteria including No. 44 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, No. 38 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, No. 44 for small-business financial conditions, No. 42 for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses, and No. 43 for available resources for businesses to better cope with the crisis.

Colorado is No. 36 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Massachusetts

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 47

Massachusetts was one of the states hardest hit by the initial wave of coronavirus infections. The state’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 12.6 percent of the workforce (No. 48) with the unemployment rate standing at 17.4 percent in July (the highest among all states at No. 50). The state’s GDP declined 5.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 30).

Given those numbers, it’s not surprising that the Bay State is No. 50 in the number of affected small businesses and No. 49 in small-business financial conditions. Massachusetts is No. 6 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, but more surprising is the state’s relatively low score (No. 33) in resources for businesses to cope with the crisis.

Massachusetts is No. 22 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Ohio

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 46

Ohio’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.9 percent of the workforce (No. 33) with the unemployment rate standing at 10.9 percent in July (No. 35). The state’s GDP declined 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 35).

The Buckeye State is No. 48 in the number of affected small businesses, No. 48 in crisis impact and access to resources, and No. 46 in small-business financial conditions.

Ohio is No. 26 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Alabama

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 45

Alabama’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.4 percent of the workforce (No. 12) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.5 percent (No. 10) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 22).

The Yellowhammer State is No. 27 for states with the most affected small businesses, No. 34 for small-business financial conditions, and No. 31 for business environment and business workforce conditions for small businesses.

Alabama is No. 31 for states that have recovered the most since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Missouri

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 44

Missouri’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.0 percent of the workforce (No. 5) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.9 percent (No. 15) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 19).

The Show Me State is No. 41 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 40 for impact and access to resources.

Missouri is No. 21 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Utah

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 43

Utah is another state that initially escaped the worst of the pandemic. The Beehive State’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 3.7 percent of the workforce (No. 2) with the unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent (No. 2) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 5).

But Utah’s COVID-19 business impact rank suffers from low ranks for available resources for businesses to cope with the pandemic crisis (No. 44), business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses (No. 34), small-business financial conditions (No. 43), and states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 (No. 35).

Utah is No. 15 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Wisconsin

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 42

Wisconsin’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.1 percent of the workforce (No. 34) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.5 percent (No. 21) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 25).

The Badger State is ranked a poor No. 47 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, No. 40 for small-business financial conditions, and No. 44 for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses.

On the plus side, Wisconsin is No. 8 among the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Florida

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 41

While Florida wasn’t among the early states hit hard by the pandemic, its economy–heavily dependent on tourists from elsewhere–took a hit nevertheless. Florida’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.7 percent of the workforce (No. 20) with the unemployment rate standing at 10.4 percent (No. 32) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.9 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 24).

The Sunshine State is No. 31 in economic impact of the crisis. And because the state was hit with a later wave of infections, Florida is No. 49 on the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Indiana

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 39 (tie)

Indiana’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.3 percent of the workforce (No. 9) with the unemployment rate standing at 11.2 percent (No. 36) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 37).

The Hoosier State is No. 37 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and No. 41 for impact and access to resources.

Indiana is No. 43 for the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Illinois

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 39 (tie)

Illinois’ net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.2 percent of the workforce (No. 27) with the unemployment rate standing at 14.6 percent (No. 44) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 33).

The Prairie State was near the bottom of all states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure (No. 47), states with the most affected small businesses (No. 45), and for impact and access to resources (No. 46).

But Illinois has bounced back, ranked No. 5 for the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Connecticut

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 38

Connecticut’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.4 percent of the workforce (No. 36) with the unemployment rate standing at 9.8 percent (No. 29) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 18).

The Nutmeg State is ranked No. 46 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, No. 40 for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses, and No. 40 among states with the resources for businesses to cope better with the COVID-19 crisis.

But Connecticut is No. 1 among the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Michigan

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 37

Michigan was especially hard hit by the pandemic and economic shutdown with a big hit to its gross state product and its workforce. Michigan’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 11.7 percent of the workforce (No. 46) with the unemployment rate standing at 14.8 percent (No. 45) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 47).

The Wolverine State is No. 9 among states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and No. 13 for available resources for businesses to cope better with the COVID-19 crisis.

Nevertheless, Michigan is No. 36 for small-business financial conditions and No. 28 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19.

Michigan is No. 35 for most recovered states since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

North Dakota

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 36

North Dakota’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.6 percent of the workforce (No. 32) with the unemployment rate standing at 6.1 percent (No. 4) in July. The state’s GDP declined 2.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 4).

The Peace Garden State is No. 45 for available resources for businesses to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. But small businesses have fared better in North Dakota with the state ranked No. 10 for the number of affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 22 for small-business financial conditions.

North Dakota is No. 29 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Iowa

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 35

Iowa’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.9 percent of the workforce (No. 15) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.0 percent (No. 16) in July. Iowa’s GDP declined 3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 8).

The Hawkeye State is ranked No. 30 for small-business financial conditions and No. 31 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19. But Iowa is No. 1 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and that may explain the state’s favorable No. 7 among the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Pennsylvania

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 34

Pennsylvania’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.6 percent of the workforce (No. 38) with the unemployment rate standing at 13.0 percent (No. 42) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 37).

Not surprisingly, businesses in the Keystone State took a hit: The state is No. 49 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 49 for small-business impact and access to resources. Pennsylvania is a respectable No. 13 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure–perhaps a factor in its No. 6 rank among the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Wyoming

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 33

Wyoming’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.4 percent of the workforce (No. 18) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.6 percent (No. 12) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 9).

Wyoming’s sparse population may explain the state’s low No. 45 rank for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, No. 46 rank for states with the available resources for businesses to cope better with the COVID-19 crisis, and No. 49 rank for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses.

Nevertheless, the Cowboy State is No. 10 among the states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Minnesota

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 32

Minnesota’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.5 percent of the workforce (No. 31) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.6 percent (No. 22) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 12).

The North Star State is No. 44 in states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 39 in small-business financial conditions.

Despite its No. 10 rank for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, Minnesota is only No. 37 for states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Rhode Island

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 31

Rhode Island’s economy took a hard hit this year as the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

Rhode Island’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.6 percent of the workforce (No. 38) with the unemployment rate standing at 12.4 percent (No. 39) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 43).

Rhode Island gets a poor No. 46 ranking among states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure, perhaps explaining its rankings of No. 42 for small-business financial conditions and No. 37 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19.

The Ocean State is No. 14 for most recovered states since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

South Dakota

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 30

South Dakota’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.3 percent of the workforce (No. 9) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.2 percent (No. 9) in July. The state’s GDP declined only 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 2).

Those numbers are reflected in the Mount Rushmore State’s favorable No. 3 rank for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 despite a relatively low No. 38 rank in states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure.

South Dakota is No. 41 among states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Virginia

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 29

Virginia’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 7.9 percent of the workforce (No. 24) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.4 percent (No. 20) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 11).

The Old Dominion State is ranked No. 5 in business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses. Small businesses seem to have it tougher with Virginia ranking No. 26 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 38 for small-business financial conditions.

Virginia is a poor No. 46 for states most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

Oregon

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 28

Oregon’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.3 percent of the workforce (No. 29) with the unemployment rate standing at 11.2 percent (No. 36) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.4 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 17).

The Beaver State is ranked a poor No. 40 for states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and No. 50–last among all states – for available resources for businesses to better coping with the COVID-19 crisis. While many of Oregon’s other rankings are also low, including No. 42 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, the state is an enviable No. 2 for most recovered since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.

New Mexico

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 27

New Mexico’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.2 percent of the workforce (No. 35) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.3 percent (No. 19) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 5).

The Land of Enchantment State is ranked only No. 35 among states for aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and No. 37 for available resources for businesses to better cope with the COVID-19 crisis. The state is No. 48 in small-business financial conditions.

New Mexico is No. 32 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Delaware

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 26

Delaware’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 10.6 percent of the workforce (No. 43) with the unemployment rate standing at 12.5 percent (No. 41) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 37).

The First State is ranked No. 29 in both most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and in small-business financial conditions.

Delaware is No. 20 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Arkansas

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 25

Arkansas’ net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.3 percent of the workforce (No. 9) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.0 percent (No. 16) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 25).

The Natural State is ranked No. 5 for both states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and states with the available resources for businesses to better cope better with the COVID-19 crisis.

Arkansas is No. 11 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Arizona

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 24

Arizona’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.2 percent of the workforce (No. 7) with the unemployment rate standing at 10.0 percent (No. 31) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 9).

The Grand Canyon State is No. 7 in states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 27 in small-business financial conditions. The state was ranked No. 18 for aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure.

Arizona is No. 9 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Nebraska

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 23

Nebraska’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 4.8 percent of the workforce (No. 4) with the unemployment rate standing at 6.7 percent (No. 7) in July. The state’s GDP declined 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 1)–the lowest among all 50 states.

The Cornhusker State ranks No. 8 both among states with the most aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and in business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses

Nebraska is No. 25 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Mississippi

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 22

Mississippi’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 4.1 percent of the workforce with the unemployment rate standing at 8.7 percent in July (No. 24). The state’s GDP declined 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 32).

Small businesses in the Magnolia State don’t appear to have been as hard hit as in most other states. Mississippi ranks No. 4 for most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 9 for small-business financial conditions.

Mississippi is No. 39 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

California

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 21

California was one of the earliest and hardest-hit states in terms of COVID-19 infections and deaths. And the pandemic took a toll on the state’s economy: California’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 10.3 percent of the workforce (No. 42) with the unemployment rate standing at 14.9 percent (No. 46) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 19).

The Golden State was No. 36 for most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 31 for small-business financial conditions.

California is No. 12 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Idaho

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 20

Idaho’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 2.7 percent of the workforce (No. 1) with the unemployment rate standing at 5.6 percent (No. 3) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 15).

The Gem State is ranked No. 17 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 14 for small-business financial conditions.

Idaho is No. 16 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Maryland

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 19

Maryland’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.3 percent of the workforce (No. 29) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.0 percent (No. 16) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 25).

The Old Line State ranks high (No. 3) among states for taking aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure. But small businesses still took a hit with Maryland ranked No. 40 among states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 45 for small-business financial conditions.

South Carolina

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 17 (Tie)

South Carolina’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.6 percent of the workforce (No. 19) with the unemployment rate standing at 8.7 percent (No. 24) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 22).

The Palmetto State ranks a favorable No. 5 for both affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 5 for small-business financial conditions. That’s despite (or perhaps because of) the state’s mediocre No. 29 ranking for taking aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure.

South Carolina is No. 38 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Tennessee

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 17 (Tie)

Tennessee’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.2 percent of the workforce (No. 16) with the unemployment rate standing at 9.7 percent (No. 27) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 43).

The Volunteer State is No. 14 for affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 4 for small-business financial conditions. The state is No. 24 for aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure.

Tennessee is No. 34 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Nevada

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 16

Nevada’s economy, with its heavy dependence on tourism and gambling, took a major hit as the pandemic spread, conventions and events were canceled, and people stopped traveling for business and pleasure.

The state’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 10.2 percent of the workforce (No. 41) with the unemployment rate standing at 15 percent (No. 47) in July. Nevada’s GDP declined 8.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 49).

The Silver State was No. 50–last among all states–in terms of taking aggressive measures to limit virus exposure.

Nevada is No. 30 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Georgia

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 15

Georgia’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.1 percent of the workforce (No. 6) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.6 percent (No. 12) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 19).

The Peachtree State was No. 4 among states for taking aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure. But Georgia is No. 50 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

New Jersey

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 14

New Jersey was another state that was hard hit early in the pandemic. The state’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 11.6 percent of the workforce (No. 45) with the unemployment rate standing at 16.6 percent (No. 49) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 35).

The Garden State is No. 50 in impact and access to resources for small businesses and No. 43 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19.

New Jersey, however, is No. 3 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Kansas

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 13

Kansas’ net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.5 percent of the workforce (No. 13) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.5 percent (No. 10) in July. The state’s GDP declined 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 5).

The Sunflower State is No. 23 for affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 28 for small-business financial conditions.

Kansas is No. 24 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Kentucky

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 12

While Kentucky’s economy took a hit at the start of the recession, with a steep decline in its GDP, it has rebounded to have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation.

Kentucky’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.0 percent of the workforce (No. 25) with the unemployment rate standing at 4.3 percent (No. 1) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 41).

The Bluegrass State is No. 42 for its less-than-aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure.

Kentucky is No. 45 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

North Carolina

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 11

North Carolina’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 7.1 percent of the workforce (No. 22) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.6 percent (No. 12) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 11).

The Tar Heel State is No. 9 for affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 13 for small-business financial conditions.

North Carolina is No. 42 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Montana

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 10

Montana’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 5.8 percent of the workforce (No. 14) with the unemployment rate standing at 7.1 percent (No. 8) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.4 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 33).

The Treasure State was No. 49 for its lack of aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure. The state is No. 48 for business environment and workforce support conditions for small businesses and No. 41 for small-business financial conditions.

Montana is No. 13 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

New York

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 9

New York was among the hardest hit states in the early months of the pandemic–in terms of the number of cases and deaths in the state as well as economically.

New York’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 14.2 percent of the workforce (No. 49) with the unemployment rate standing at 15.7 percent (No. 48) in July. The state’s GDP declined 8.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 49).

But the Empire State’s overall COVID-19 ranking is relatively high because of the resources it brought to bear to deal with the crisis and its diversified economy. The state is No. 3 for least affected industries and workforce.

New York is No. 19 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Louisiana

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 8

Louisiana’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.0 percent of the workforce (No. 25) with the unemployment rate standing at 9.7 percent (No. 27) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 46).

The Pelican State is No. 43 for its lack of aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure. But the state ranks No. 6 for affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 1 for small-business financial conditions.

Louisiana is No. 44 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Alaska

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 7

Alaska, heavily dependent on a few hard-hit industries such as tourism and oil and gas, recorded a net job loss of 11.7 percent of the workforce (No. 46) between February and July 2020 with the unemployment rate standing at 12.4 percent (No. 39) in July. The state’s GDP declined 4.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 12).

The Last Frontier State was ranked No. 50 for business environment and workforce support conditions.

Alaska is No. 17 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Washington

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 6

Washington was the overall No. 1 state in this year’s CRN Best States analysis for starting and operating a solution provider business, given the state’s strong economy, educated and experienced workforce and other factors. But none of that made the Evergreen State immune from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession.

Washington’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 8.2 percent of the workforce (No. 27) with the unemployment rate standing at 9.8 percent (No. 29) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 25).

Washington ranks No. 24 for affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 23 for small-business financial conditions.

Washington is No. 33 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

New Hampshire

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 5

New Hampshire’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 10.0 percent of the workforce (No. 40) with the unemployment rate standing at 11.8 percent (No. 38) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 40).

The Granite State ranked No. 33 for its not-overly aggressive measures in limiting virus exposure and No. 39 for available resources for businesses to cope better with the COVID-19 crisis.

New Hampshire is No. 48 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Vermont

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 4

Vermont, heavily dependent on tourism, suffered a net job loss of 11.2 percent of the workforce between February and July 2020 (No. 44) with the unemployment rate standing at 9.4 percent (No. 26) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 42).

The Green Mountain State is ranked only No. 41 in resources for businesses to cope better with the pandemic and economic crisis.

Vermont, nevertheless, is No. 4 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Maine

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 3

Maine’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 9.5 percent of the workforce (No. 37) with the unemployment rate standing at 6.6 percent (No. 5) in July. The state’s GDP declined 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 45).

Small businesses in the Pine Tree State have weathered the crisis moderately well with Maine ranked No. 19 for states with the most affected small businesses due to COVID-19 and No. 18 for small-business financial conditions.
Maine is No. 40 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

West Virginia

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 2

West Virginia was the last state to report a confirmed COVID-19 case (March 17). But that didn’t prevent the Mountain State from feeling the impact of the pandemic and recession.

West Virginia’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 6.2 percent of the workforce (No. 16) with the unemployment rate standing at 10.4 percent (No. 32) in July. The state’s GDP declined 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 25).

The state is ranked No. 11 for both most affected small businesses due to COVID-19, and for small-business financial conditions. West Virginia is No. 6 for small-business impact and access to resources and No. 11 for resources for businesses to better cope with the crisis.

West Virginia is No. 18 among all states for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020).

Hawaii

COVID-19 Business Impact Rank: 1

Hawaii was spared the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of the number of cases and deaths. The Aloha State’s tourism-focused economy didn’t escape unscathed, however. Hawaii’s net job loss from February to July 2020 was 16.5 percent of the workforce (No. 50) with the unemployment rate standing at 13.9 percent (No. 43) in July. The state’s GDP declined 8.1 percent in the first quarter of 2020 (No. 48).

But Hawaii’s high scores for such criteria as access to resources (No. 2), business environment and workforce support conditions (No. 2) and No. 28 rank for recovery since the start of the COVID-19 crisis (as of August 2020) have helped the state weather the COVID-19 crisis.