Massachusetts Named 'Most Innovative State' In New Ranking
BOSTON (CBS) -- Declaring that "The Boston area's Route 128 eked out a victory over Silicon Valley," Bloomberg Business has named Massachusetts as the nation's most innovating state.
Some of the factors Bloomberg looked at in determining the ranking were a state's research and development, high-tech density, and the number of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The strength of the Bay State's universities helped make the difference.
"You've got these major, world-ranked institutions that have played a big role in terms of churning out some very, very well-qualified, bright people," one economist told Bloomberg.
Bloomberg singles out MIT, whose graduates have produced about 400 startup businesses in the past few decades.
Coming in right behind Massachusetts is California, followed by Washington, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Mississippi finished last in the ranking.
