Florida received a "C" grade from the Corporation for Enterprise Development in its latest report.

The 20th Development Report Card for the States gave Florida "C" grades across the board. The state's grade on business competitiveness and entrepreneurial energy fell from last year's "B" grades.

For overall grades, the report card deemed Florida worthy of a:

• "C" for performance (the performance of the economy for its citizens)
• "C" for business vitality (business competitiveness and entrepreneurial energy)
• "C" for development capacity (the positioning of the state for future economic growth)

The study uses 67 measures to assess how the economy is performing for citizens and businesses and how well a state is situated for its future.

"Most problematic for Florida's businesses right now are the business closings, weak investment, and a lack of outside revenue flowing into the state's businesses - relative to the situation in other states," said David Buchholz, CFED research director. "The state should also look at addressing the lack of investment the state is making in generating home-grown creativity and innovation."

Florida lags in science as well as research and development, the report said.

The state ranks 48th in doctoral degrees, scientists and engineers, 41st in graduate students and science and engineering, 45th in academic research and development, 35th in federal research and development and 36th in private research and development.

The top performers in 2007 are Connecticut and Delaware, the only states to earn straight "A's."

Five other states -- Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah and Wisconsin -- joined them on the Report Card's Honor Roll by earning all "A's" and "B's."

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2007/01/22/daily8.html?surround=lfn