Big Places to Do Small Things Ranking

Small Times magazine has identified the top 10 U.S. states leading the race to become the economic center of small tech, which includes nanotechnology, MEMS and microsystems.

Which states found their way into the top ten rankings? Here they are:

1. California. Topping the Small Times magazine list, California has the critical mass to attract researchers, companies and VC cash, even in rough economic times.
2. Massachusetts. This state’s deep talent pool propelled Massachusetts into second place.
3. New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment’s efforts to wean the state from the federal bankroll are paying off here.
4. Arizona. Although coming in fourth on the list, years of financial losses are taking a toll on Arizona’s corporate R & D programs.
5. Texas. The Lone Star State’s big guns are leading the charge to make the state No. 1, and they could succeed.
6. Maryland. Maryland’s location gives it easy access to the nation’s key funding sources.
7. New York has the Big Apple’s brains and bucks and upstate’s innovation and enterprise.
8. Illinois. Things are looking up in Chicago, where researchers, business leaders and policy-makers appear ready to cash in on the state’s impressive intellectual capital.
9. Michigan shoulders its way into the Big 10 with some smart initiatives and cooperative partners.
10. Pennsylvania plays nice with its neighbors to the west and southeast, with impressive results.

Where did Ohio come in? It landed 17th.

Go here to read the full report, including the methodology used to rank the states.