BOISE - A new report ranking entrepreneurial activity across the nation puts Idaho at the top of the list.

The Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity helps track new business creation data in the United States – and shows that Idaho had the most new entrepreneurs in 2007.

About one half of one percent – 0.46% - of all Idahoans jumped into business for themselves in 2007 – working at least 15 hours per week on the new venture.  The ranking is up about one tenth of one percent from 2006.

Idaho tied with Arizona for first place.  Neighboring states also scored high, including Montana, Wyoming and Oregon.  The exception is Washington – which ranked in the bottom ten.

West Virginia and Alabama had the lowest rates – with less than one tenth of one percent of residents starting new businesses.